American Legion Post #155 in Crystal River has numerous Active Duty members in its membership with over 50 to date. Recently LTC Robert Koch earned the Bronze Star while serving in Iraq. LTC Robert Koch is the son of Robert and Gail Koch of Crystal River who has a total of four family members who are still serving our great county and received a Blue Star Banner(4-Stars) during the post's Blue Star Salute Ceremony in 2009. All of Mr. & Mrs. Koch Family members are members of American Legion Post #155.

LTC Koch just received this award from his previous tour of duty in Iraq from December 2008 - December 2009 and was currently redeployed to for another year tour in Iraq. Lieutenant Colonel Koch's Citation is classified but parts of it reads as he distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service to the United States as Chief, Interrogation Operations, and a Deputy Director, Counterintelligence (CI) and Human Intelligence (CJ2X), Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Multi-National Force-Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq during Operation Iraq Freedom. The rest of Lieutenant Colonel Koch citation is classified and he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal by General Charles Jacoby, Commanding General Multi-National Intelligence Forces Iraq.

For more information about joining American Legion Post #155; the largest veterans’ organization in Citrus County, call 1st Vice Commander Jay Conti Sr. at 352-344-4122 or at the post at 352-795-6526. Please visit our web site www.post155.org or on the social network sites.