An idea now etched in stone

While attending last fall's week-long Legion College session at The American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis, Florida Legionnaire Bob Brewster walked by the four stone pillars that stand along the front of National Headquarters. It gave him an idea.

"I saw those pillars and thought that we're always talking about what the Four pillars of The American Legion are and what they stand for," Brewster said. "I thought to myself, ‘Why not put what each of those pillars is on the actual pillars?"

Brewster shared his idea with national staff, and in June the idea became reality. "Veterans," "Defense," "Americanism" and "Youth" were engraved across each of the pillars. "It feels really good to know that national is listening to us, listening to our ideas," Brewster said. "I'm just really proud of this."

Once a four-term commander at Post 250 in Middleburg, Fla., Brewster currently is serving his fourth term as commander of Post 373 in nearby Orange Park. He's in his second term as Florida's department membership chairman and has also served as district commander three times. The 2009 Florida Legionnaire of the Year also is a seven-time Gold Brigader for recruiting 50 or more new members into the Legion in a single year.

"I probably put in 60-80 hours a week toward The American Legion," said Brewster, retired now after a 39-year career in sales. "But I get so much more out of it than I put into it. I really love doing what I do."

Later this month, Brewster will attend the National Membership Workshop in Indianapolis, and he plans on stopping by National Headquarters.

"I'm bringing my wife with me, and she's never been to National Headquarters so I'm giving her a tour," he said. "When I walk by the pillars, I don't know if pride is the right word to use, but I think that's what I'll be feeling."