Four Pillars of support in the community
Legion members stand during announcements at the monthly family dinner at Post 135 in Phenix City, Ala., on Sept. 11. Photo by Jess Suarez

Four Pillars of support in the community

In his third year as commander of Fletcher-McCollister Post 135 in Phenix City, Ala., U.S. Navy veteran Leroy Davis has made public information one of his top priorities.

Post 135 is very active in the Russell County community, sending several young men to Boys State in 2015, conducting an Oratorical program, donating funds to local Junior ROTC programs and high school athletic programs, providing $11,000 to support 11 local volunteer fire departments in 2015, and offering up its post home as an emergency shelter during natural disasters. In terms of volunteer hours, financial assistance and donated items, Post 135 injected nearly $300,000 into its community in 2014.

And Davis makes sure the community – especially its leaders – know what the post is doing and what it has available to help others.

“I go to the (Russell) County Commission meetings,” Davis said. “They have a block on there for a three-minute talk, and when we have something coming up I get up there … and talk about what our plans are and what we have coming up for the next two months.

“At the end of the year, I go to the County Commission and give a ‘state of the post’ report of what we’ve done, how much money we’ve spent in the community, what we’ve done for (the VA). They are pleased with knowing we are good managers of what we have and what we are worth with. I also go to the city council and do the same thing. We have a great working relationship with the city council and with the county commissioners.”

Post 135 Adjutant Wayne Mitchell, a 22-year member and the son of World War II veteran, and former post adjutant Carson Mitchell – a 70-year member of the Legion – said it’s important to let the community know what the post is doing, “so that when they need something they know where to go. When they find a veteran in need, they know where to send them.”

Post 135’s impact on its community is obvious, Phenix City Mayor Eddie Lowe said – especially on its younger residents. “They do a lot in this community for the kids in mentoring, coaching (and) investing to influence them,” he said. “That is so important because what we have to realize … is it is important that we focus on the youth because one day they’re going to have to take our place. We’re making a conscientious effort for that.

“In today’s environment, partnerships are so important. And it’s important you have a wholesome partnership/relationship to do good for the community. It is important that this model that we’ve created in Phenix City with our Post 135 is a model that I pray and hope other American Legion (posts) and other communities (are using).”

Russell County (Ala.) Commission Chairman Peggy Martin said, as a member of Gold Star Wives of America, she’s worked personally with Post 135. But her relationship with the Legion family goes back further than that. Martin also participated in Girls State.

“I know they have been doing community service for years,” Martin said. “We appreciate their volunteerism. Where would America be today without volunteers? That community relationship is much needed and it is shown.”

Post Finance Officer Earl Hutchinson calls his post’s image in the community “a source of pride” and said that image is "breaking down stereotypes.”

"We’re trying to get away from the old image of (The American Legion),” he said. “We’re more than that. By being more involved in the community – not only with the high schools, but with the service clubs – that gets our mission spread across a whole spectrum of (organizations). The more the community knows about what we do, the more the community and the post can help the members of the community.”

Once a month the post hosts a membership dinner that is open to civic leaders and Post 135 Legion family members. Each member is asked to bring a guest that may be eligible for membership.

The following day, three busloads of veterans from the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System facility in Tuskegee come to the post for lunch and bingo. VA Canteen books are the bingo prizes; each veteran leaves the post with at least one $10 Canteen book.

Events like those, along with working with the active-duty military community at nearby Fort Benning, facilitating Temporary Financial Assistance grants and helping homeless veterans get in contact with housing services, are just a few more of the projects Post 135 takes on to aid those in its community. "People that have unmet needs, they lose hope,” Post 135 Chaplain/Service Officer Dr. Johnnie Robinson Jr. said. “(Veterans) know a lot about hope, and we know how to give it. That’s what I love about The American Legion. It gives hope.”