Celebrating the Legion birthday in style

Celebrating the Legion birthday in style

For the second straight year, Fletcher-McCollister Post 135 in Phenix City, Ala., will pull out all the stops to celebrate The American Legion birthday. On March 21 at Marriott’s Courtyard Columbus-Phenix City hotel, the post will host a ball commemorating the Legion’s 96th birthday.

It’s a tradition Post 135’s Leroy Davis, Jr. wants to see continue – both at his post, at other posts and in every Legion department.

“I think we should celebrate The American Legion’s birthday,” Davis said. “I think every Legion post and department should have some kind of event. It is good for public relations. And it shows our commitment to our community.

“Our city and county government know the value of our post. We put nearly $300,000 back into community programs last year. But we want to make the entire community aware of the value of The American Legion. This is one of the ways we can do that.”

Post 135’s Legion birthday ball – which coincides with the post’s 84th birthday – will include a color guard from the local Junior ROTC program, a POW-MIA ceremony, the singing of the five military anthems, dinner and dancing, and, of course, a birthday cake. Proceeds from the event help fund the post's Boys State program.

Guests will include Phenix City Mayor Eddie Lowe, and members of the Phenix City Council and Russell County Commission. The evening’s guest speaker will be Georgia Legionnaire Dale Barnett, the Legion’s leading candidate for national commander for 2015-2016.

Davis said planning for this year’s ball started shortly after last year’s ended. More than 160 people are expected to attend this year’s event. “It’s hard work planning it,” said Davis, who has arranged two billboards and multiple posters throughout town advertising the ball. “But I’ve got some good volunteers who help. And it’s worth it.”