We are GI American Legion Post 244 in Louisville, Ky. We have 316 Legionnaires and 55 Sons of The American Legion (SAL) members thanks to our first vice commander, who has a very aggressive recruiting program. We also have an Auxiliary - second to none - with 105 members.
We have been noted as the most active and friendly post in the area. We have a very enthusiastic executive board that takes pride in helping its members and the surrounding community: “We are a small post but big in giving to others.” Below are some of the activities we have for our members and the community. This past year they total to approximately 17. There are more, but not enough space to mention them all. Those activities include golf scrambles; chili, soup and BBQ cookoffs; fish fries; etc. We also have poker tournaments. On the entertainment side, we have Preakness, Oaks and Kentucky Derby parties and, yes, karaoke on weekends. I would say our most interesting event is the flag retirement ceremony (see attached photo). Every year we retire over 30,000 flags in sizes from miniature to 30X60 feet. Some are collected at the post, and some are brought in by the semi-truck load from around the country. The ceremony is held in a field at a post member’s farm. Nearly all members attend. We also sponsor children’s Legion ball teams and Boys State. Within this past year, the post has made eight monetary donations to various projects and charities.
This post looks out for its members and the community. One cold Christmas day, the post stayed open manned by members, welcoming anyone and providing food in case someone did not have a place to go or needed help. One person did show up and was gladly taken care of.
The Auxiliary has the Legionnaires’ back on almost every post activity. If food is involved, the ladies will each cook food at home and bring it in, or they will buy food at their expense. The ladies collect food to supplement the food pantry at the VA hospital. At Christmastime they fill stockings to give to the veteran patients at the VA hospital, plus they make donations and sponsor various charities’ projects. They do a lot more, but there is not enough room here to mention their many generous deeds.
If you are in the area, stop by the post and pay us a visit. We will be glad to see you. We open at 3 p.m. ET every day.
Syl Guzman
Post Judge Advocate
sjguz@bellsouth.net
