National Guard muster provides Legion awareness
(Photo by Lucas Carter)

National Guard muster provides Legion awareness

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The Arizona National Guard recently honored its nearly 7,500 Army and airmen for their service and sacrifice over the past 13 years that the United States has been at war overseas by having them muster in a mass military formation on field at Arizona State University Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. The Pearl Harbor Day event marked the first time in 100 years that the Arizona National Guard has held a muster, as well as a community expo that involved more than 200 community vendors, including the Department of Arizona American Legion family.

“When the Arizona National Guard called us to be a part of the muster and expo, I think it was the result of our attempts to stay connected with troops before deployments,” said Angel Juarez, Department of Arizona adjutant. “We came out to the muster as a Legion family to discuss the VA benefits available to the servicemembers, and to let them know that the Legion family is here for them and their family.”

The Department of Arizona has built a strong relationship with the National Guard by visiting troops before deployments to inform them of how the Legion can be of assistance to them and their families, and by delivering meals to the troops and their families before and after a deployment.

“We are here to support the Arizona National Guard 100 percent,” said Andy Jaime, Department of Arizona commander. “The expo is allowing us as a Legion family to let the servicemembers know that if they redeploy, the Legion is here to assist their family. Our presence at the muster and expo allows us to bring awareness to servicemembers and the community that we are here.”

The National Guard’s tradition of conducting a muster dates back to 1636, when America’s first colonial militia assembled in Salem, Mass. Following Sunday’s muster ceremony, members of the Arizona National Guard and their families walked through the expo to enjoy food vendors and live entertainment, and to speak with community vendors such as The American Legion.

About 10 members of the Legion, Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion and Legion Riders handed out American flags and copies of the “Join The American Legion Family” brochure to National Guard members, as well as answered questions about the Legion and its membership. The department’s three tables were filled with membership applications, a raffle drawing for a flag set from Emblem Sales, and the new kiosk filled with Legion family brochures that supports National Commander Michael Helm’s 4x4 goal.

“We are really excited to be one of the first departments’s to use the new kiosk as a tool to educate servicemembers and veterans about who the Legion family is and all that we do,” Juarez said.

Army National Guard Sgt. John Hughes approached several of the Arizona Legion Riders at the booth to discuss joining. “Joining the Legion Riders is something that I have been thinking about ever since they escorted us during a Yellow Ribbon event,” Hughes said. “It’s a great excuse to ride, and if I can participate in Legion events that raise money for fallen servicemembers’ kids, than that’s even better.”

Hughes wife, Crystal, likes “the family aspect of the Legion Riders,” she said. “I’m not a rider or a veteran, but it’s something that John and I can do together, and I like that aspect about joining the Legion Riders.”

Army veteran Steve Brauss stopped by the department’s booth to say hello and to reiterate why he joined Post 53 in Buckeye, Ariz., 14 years ago.

“I knew the Legion did a lot of good things, and so I wanted to join,” he said. “They provide us a voice with legislation, and they are great with helping the community. That’s one of the reasons I’m still involved because they feed soldiers and their families before a deployment. The Legion is a great benefit to the Arizona National Guard.”

Whether or not the Arizona National Guard holds another muster in the future, Juarez said the department will continue to support local troops before and after deployments.

“We are connected by lineage, and we can’t wait until the returning servicemembers wander into a Legion post someday. The Legion has to be at the forefront like we are by being here at the muster and expo.”