Centennial spotlight: Post 513 in Thibodaux, La.

The Raymond Stafford American Legion Post 513 was chartered in 1947 by 26 "concerned black" World War I and II veterans. Due to segregation, the veterans could not join an existing American Legion post in Thibodaux.

Post 513 was one of many black Legion posts being chartered in Louisiana with the number 500, which was used to distinguish the all black posts. While the number 500 no longer signifies race, the department did offer all posts the opportunity to change their numbers "to get rid of the stigma."

Post 513 did not change its number because it "would have to get a new charter and lose years of history."

Gerald Theriot, the 2011-2012 American Legion national chaplain, is a member of Post 513. He has served as the Department of Louisiana’s chaplain since 1997.