Kansas post wins 2009 NEF Award

American Legion Post 240 was instrumental in the recovery process after a half-mile wide tornado struck the town of Chapman, Kan., on June 11, 2008. Over the next three weeks, the post served more than 9,000 meals to rescue workers, volunteers and displaced residents. The post also opened its doors to FEMA, the Red Cross and other emergency responders. Those efforts earned Post 240 the Legion’s National Emergency Fund Gold Award for Post Excellence. American Legion Post 285 in Parkersburg, Iowa, won the second-place Silver award for its response to a tornado. Post 490 in South Houston, Texas, earned a Bronze for its response to Hurricane Rita. The awards will be presented on stage at The American Legion’s 91st National Convention in Louisville, Ky., in August. The awards are given to posts that provide outstanding service to their communities during a natural disaster. Five departments submitted six posts for consideration. Three other Legion posts will receive Meritorious Service to Community citations through their department headquarters: Post 37 in Fernley, Nev., Post 61 in Yellville, Ark., and Post 17 in Paragould, Ark.