Celebrating 96 years of Legion service, pride

Every year, the U.S. Navy has a birthday ball, and every year during his 20 years serving in the Navy, Leroy Davis looked forward to it. That experience made Davis want to make The American Legion’s birthday an event to look forward to.

The Alabama Legionnaire came up with the idea to have Fletcher-McCollister Post 135 in Phenix City put on a birthday ball last year. And that’s why Davis will continue to lead the celebration efforts, much like he did March 21 for the Legion’s 96th birthday.

“We were glad to have (the Navy ball) and glad to go to it,” said Davis, a 23-year member of the Legion and Post 135’s commander since 2013. “(It was) a sense of pride, and I felt that’s what we need to do: Make the people proud to be in The American Legion and proud to help other veterans.

“I felt that by starting a birthday ball – which is something I haven’t really seen a lot of throughout the country – that that will bring attention to The American Legion. The community needs to know that we are here and what we do. So that’s why I started the birthday ball.”

Nearly 100 people attended the ball, which took place at Marriott’s Courtyard Hotel in Phenix City and featured a buffet dinner, an American Legion birthday cake, music and dancing.  During the ball, Post 135 also honored two longtime members: World War II veterans Carson D. Mitchell and Daniel M. Parish, who have been a part of the Legion for 70 years.

Central High School’s Navy Junior ROTC presented the colors to an audience that included various city and municipal government officials. Phenix City Mayor Eddie Lowe was one of those individuals; his attendance was evidence of the strong ties between Post 135 and its community.

“The common denominator, and the reason why (the relationship) is so strong, is because of the veterans,” Lowe said. “If it had not been for people giving up themselves, (paying) the ultimate price, we could not be able to have this event here.”