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Drive into any community across the country and you’re typically greeted by a sign reading something like, “Welcome to Greenfield. Pop. 14,345.” Below the welcome sign, or perhaps mounted nearby, are perhaps the emblems of Kiwanis, the Rotary and the Lions Club - all well-respected organizations that have been doing good in their communities for more than nine decades.

Since 1919, The American Legion has been doing similar good. But do you see the organization’s emblem on town welcome sign?

If not, there’s a relatively easy and inexpensive way to make that happen. It may not seem like much, but a simple American Legion emblem leading into your community can increase membership, create awareness about the services and programs of the Legion, and drive traffic to post-home facilities. The signs are affordable and available from Emblem Sales.

One such sign is displayed heading into Indianapolis, home to numerous posts and The American Legion National Headquarters. “The American Legion sign is very visible,” says Melissa Mann of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce. “It definitely lets people know The American Legion is in town,”

Stand-alone signs available through Emblem Sales simply feature The American Legion emblem. Other signs are designed to be attached to larger welcome signs with space available for a post’s personalized message with either non-reflective or reflective lettering. The message can include information such as the post address, phone number, or date and time of monthly meetings. The signs are available at www.emblem.legion.org or by calling (888) 453-4466. Signs range from $49.95 to $209. The cost of displaying a sign varies from community to community and normally is just a one-time fee; call your city clerk’s office or municipal government center to get prices and set up mounting the sign. You also can contact the owner of the marquee signs also displayed in your community - many of which are owned by other nonprofit community service organizations - and negotiate a price. Some are free, and some charge a nominal one-time fee.

Among the findings of a recent study by The American Legion National Headquarters is that a presence on a community welcome sign builds local awareness of the organization and its programs. Posts that display the signs also report that veterans passing through their towns feel a sense of connection and often stop at the post home if they see the emblem on a welcome sign.

In Americus, Ga., American Legion Post 1 felt its informational sign was helpful in directing people to the post during the aftermath of a tornado that swept through the city. The members of the post turned their facility into a distribution center for badly needed supplies, medicine, water, food and clothing.

“I’m sure glad we got the signs up,” said Post 1 Legionnaire Brenda Johnson. “They came in handy when the tornado struck town ... People knew how to find us.”

It’s a simple, affordable gesture for any post. To learn more about how to make the best use of welcome-sign space in your community, visit www.legion.org on the Web. Signs may be ordered from the Emblem Sales catalog or by visiting Emblem Sales on the Web.

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