Be the One to be a part of Veterans Day

Across the nation, American Legion Family members will take the lead in their communities in commemorating Veterans Day. And in a few locations, they also will use the day to raise awareness – and funds – for The American Legion’s Be the One suicide-prevention program.

The American Legion Department of Oregon is staging a mental health summit in Eagle Point sponsored by American Legion Post 192 in nearby White City. The department is bringing in staff from state agencies and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assist veterans with benefits, healthcare and other areas. A component of the summit also is Be the One; Oregon Legionnaires will pass out promotional materials to raise awareness about the program.

“We’ve got tables for service officers, and I’ve got 22 tables of VA people for suicide prevention, mental health, if they want to enroll, you name it,” said Department of Oregon VA&R Chairman Bob Huff, the commander of Post 192. “We’re loading the whole place up. And within the event we’re going to have Be the One. We’re going to give out bracelets and answer the questions and have our tables full. We’re trying to get the word out.

“We’re using Veterans Day because we have the venue and the audience. So, we’re going to draw people. We have a suicide problem. Be the One causes a question to be asked, and then we get into that discussion: what we’re doing, what it is, how you can help.”

The event will take place in the Eagle Point High School gym and will be preceded by a large Veterans Day parade. A ceremony will take place in the gym and food also will be served.

“We’re not only trying to attract the veterans, but we’re trying to attract the kids and their parents and get them to ask the question, ‘What is Be the One?’” Huff said. “We’re pushing Be the One and what it really means.

Huff said the plan is to stage three more similar events before the end of 2024. Thise dates and locations are pending.

In Little Rock, the American Legion Department of Arkansas is one of the sponsors of “Corvettes and Veterans", a historical salute and remembrance event at War Memorial Stadium to honor all veterans on the stadium’s 75th anniversary, and to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Corvette.

The event will feature a car show and family-friendly activities, including a parade of custom, military-style Corvettes, a ceremony, performances by JROTC squads, military displays, and vendors and concessions. Half the proceeds from the event will benefit Be the One.

Department Commander Marie Wilbanks is the grand marshal for the parade, while James LaCoursiere Jr. – the leading candidate for 2024-2025 American Legion national commander – is the guest speaker during the ceremony.

Department of Arkansas Public Relations Chairman Keith Dover, a life member of Post 71 in Cabot, said he’d previously worked with Jason Irby, president of the A-State Corvette Association and the organizer of the event, and that Irby was looking for a veteran-related charity to support through the event.

“I said, ‘Man, I’ve got one for you,” Dover said. “I said, ‘In The American Legion, we’ve got a nationwide and global Be the One program. I sent him the link to (Be the One) promotional videos and all information. I told him we’ve got a really bad problem right now. There are a lot of young troops that are coming back (from combat) and taking their own lives. And I told him that this was a very serious and important program that The American Legion is involved with to try to help curb that situation. And that’s how it came to being.

“It’s the anniversary of the stadium, yes. We’re keying on that. But with the proceeds going to Be the One, that will help get recognition statewide.”

Dover noted that he already had a connection to War Memorial Stadium, having written a book on the history of the stadium. He also pointed out that the Corvette was the name for fast naval vessels smaller than a frigate used by the U.S. Navy in the 18th and 19th centuries.

“A lot of people didn’t realize that,” Dover said. “So, it’s a perfect match to do Corvettes and veterans, and call it such, on Veterans Day. It’s a great match.”

Representatives of The American Legion also will be spending Veterans Day weekend in Las Vegas for the inaugural MCON, which will feature various speakers, physical activities and other experiences for today’s veterans, servicemembers and their families. One of the sessions will focus on the Legion’s Be the One mission.

In the nation’s capital, American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer will attend breakfast at the White House before heading to the Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to take part in a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The following are a few examples of how the American Legion Family will observe Veterans Day across the nation. Those who conduct Veterans Day events are urged to share them on Legiontown.org.

Alabama

In Morgan County, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 15 is conducting its seventh annual Field of Flags that will feature 200 flags displayed from sunrise to sunset Nov. 11 to honor past, present and future veterans. The public is invited to sponsor flags honoring veterans in their family.
In Attalla, American Legion Post 71 is having a dinner and awards day for veterans.

California

In Citrus Heights, American Legion Post 637 will conduct its annual Veterans Day ceremony at Sylvan Cemetery. Local leaders will deliver remarks, as will members of Post 637. A post member also sponsors a free lunch for all veterans.
In Napa, American Legion Post 113 will host a Veterans Day service at Veterans Park.
In Glendora, San Dimas-Glendora Post 475 will conduct a ceremony at Glendora City Hall that includes post members, and city, county and state officials. A local high school choir also provides patriotic music. Post 475 members also will participate in a Veterans Day program sponsored by the San Dimas HEROES organization.

Florida

In Islamorada, Keys Memorial Post 145 is hosting its first-ever “Picnic at Peace Park” for veterans and their families following the Veterans Day ceremony conducted by the Monroe County Veterans Affairs and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10211. Post 145 is also hosting a blood drive during the picnic, which will include hamburgers and hot dogs grilled Post 145 members. “This is a moment for us to serve our veterans and their families with fun picnic fare, but more to share camaraderie and to celebrate this special day,” Post 145 Commander Kim Dipre said via email.
In Niceville, American Legion Post 221 will conduct a remembrance ceremony that will be followed by a rededication of the post’s Memorial Garden.
In Panama City Beach, American Legion Post 402 will conduct a parade through Pier Park, while Post Commander Warren Boutchia will lead a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park.

Idaho

In Coeur d’Alene, American Legion Post 14 will continue a tradition that has gone on more than 100 years when it conducts its Veterans Day ceremony. Past Post Vice Commander Charles Riffel will ring the memorial bell 11 times at 1100 hours to begin the ceremony. Theresa Hart, a Gold Star mom who lost her son in Afghanistan, will be the guest speaker.
In Rathdrum, American Legion Post 154 is hosting a veterans recognition event and lunch. Also, the post honor guard will participate in 11 community events that week and one of its members, Len Crosby, will give the Veterans Day address to the November meeting of the Coeur d'Alene Rotary on Nov. 10.

Illinois

Round Lake Post 1170 is teaming with the Village of Round Lake Park for a Veterans Day luncheon that is open to all of the community’s veterans. The luncheon includes a meet and greet, remarks from the mayor of Round Lake and a presentation of awards to post members. The post also will honor a local police officer who returned from a military deployment earlier this year.
In New Lenox, Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977 is again teaming with VFW Post 9545 for a Veterans Day ceremony at the Commons Veterans Memorial. Following the ceremony, veterans are invited to a luncheon; those who cannot attend will be able to take home a to-go meal. All veterans also will receive a tumbler, as well as gift cards and gift certifications for local area businesses. “By virtue of the luncheon, tumbler and random gifts, it is our hope to convey to our veterans how much they are appreciated and give we citizens an opportunity to do something special for them,” Auxiliary Unit 1977 Sergeant-at-Arms Cathy Welch said via email.

Indiana

In Lafayette, American Legion Post 11 is hosting a Veterans Day program that will include a Huey helicopter landing and departing from the post. The guest speaker at the program is Col. Joe McKenna, the commander of Purdue University’s Air Force ROTC.
In South Bend, American Legion Post 303 is hosting an annual dinner free to all veterans.

Maine

In Gray, Auxiliary Unit 86 will host a veterans luncheon; a Post 86 officer will be a speaker for the event.

Michigan

In Blissfield, Auxiliary Unit 325 will provide dinner and a presentation to honor veterans that includes Junior Auxiliary members. This year the presentation will include information on the Legion’s Be the One program.

Minnesota

In Woodbury, Post 501 Vice Commander JoAnne Krammer will be the guest speaker during a program celebrating Veterans at East Ridge High School.

Montana

In Bozeman, American Legion Gallatin Post 14 will put up 90 American flags on Main Street at 6 a.m. on Veterans Day and will also host a free breakfast for the public. Following a memorial service, the post will provide refreshments before taking the flags down.

New Jersey

In Morristown, American Legion Post 59 is teaming with the Morristown / Morris Township Memorial and Veterans Day Association and the Northern Chapter 112th Field Artillery Association to coordinate a Veterans Day event that will include a ceremony and the placing of wreaths at multiple locations. New York
In Oneida, Sons of The American Legion Squadron 169 and Auxiliary Unit 169 will serve a free dinner to all veterans. In 2022 the dinner drew more than 100 veterans, including some delivered to the local extended-care facility.
In Yonkers, Samuel H. Dow Post 1017 is hosting a 50/50 raffle and will provide food for veterans and their guests.

North Carolina

In Pikeville, American Legion Post 541 will place flags on all the veterans’ graves at Pikeville Cemetery on Nov. 10 and then will take part in the Veterans Day parade in Goldsboro.

Ohio

In Amherst, Ohio, American Legion Post 118 and the Veteran’s Mural Association will host its 13th annual Veterans Day ceremony at Patriots Park on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., 248 Park Avenue. The Veterans Day National Committee has recognized Patriots Park as a regional site for the 2023 Veterans Day Commemoration. Eleven new patriotic and military-themed paintings will be unveiled.

Oklahoma

In Bartlesville, American Legion Post 105 is sponsoring a Veterans Day parade on Nov. 10 that will include the Bartlesville High School band and a World War II-era aircraft flyover.

South Carolina

In Bluffton, Dennis J. Becker American Legion Post 20 is sponsoring the annual Veterans Day parade that will feature around 40 units, including march bands from two local high schools, JROTC units from local high schools, cars from the local Corvette Club cars, and multiple floats that will include one each from Post 205 and Auxiliary Unit 205.
On Hilton Head Island, Arthur E. Wiley American Legion Post 42 is participating in the observance of Veterans Day at the Veterans Memorial Park. The program will include a guest speaker, patriotic music and the ringing of a ship’s bell.
In Goose Creek, American Legion Post 166 is teaming with the city of Goose Creek to provide a ceremony at McCants Veterans Park. The mayor, a guest speaker and local high school choir will be a part of the program. Immediately following the ceremony, there will be a post outreach program aimed at assisting local veterans with their various needs. Post 166 also will offer a steak dinner for all veterans in attendance.
In Aiken, the PFC William Hunter Kilburn American Legion Post 26 Radio Club is conducting its second annual Veterans Day Special Event Station at the Aiken County Veterans Memorial Park. Click here for more details.

Tennessee

In Ripley, American Legion Post 86 will participate in the Lauderdale County Veterans Day celebration, including having two trailers in the parade for veterans to ride on, as well as having a table set up during the event’s luncheon to provide information about The American Legion. Post Historian James T. Hall will give a brief presentation about the post, The American Legion and reasons why veterans should join.
In Selmer, American Legion Post 162 has built a float for the Veterans Day parade.

Texas

In Midland, members of American Legion Tall City Post 119 will be at the Black Rifle Coffee Company location to greet veterans, as well as passing out information on the Legion’s Be the One program. The post will have a banner outside to honor veterans and a Be the One banner on display inside.
In Frisco, American Legion Post 178 is coordinating a ceremony that will take place at the Frisco Veterans Memorial in Frisco Commons Park. The guest speaker is retired U.S. Marine Maj. Gary Billings, the Senior Naval Science Instructor at Lebanon Trail High School with the Navy National Defense Cadet Corps FISD program.
In Mineral Wells, Farris Anderson Post 75’s Legion Family will conduct its 40th annual Veterans Day Celebration. The celebration includes a flyover, a Civil Air Patrol Color Guard, distinguished speakers, and district, division and department American Legion leadership.

Virginia

In Luray, Miller-Campbell-Baker Post 22 will conduct its annual Veterans Day Program that will include acknowledging local Blue Star and Gold Star families. An Eagle Scout will be honored with a special community service certificate for restoring a German World War II cannon. The event will be followed up with a buffet-style dinner. The event is open to all veterans and residents of Page County.
In Williamsburg, Post 39 will participate in and cosponsor an observance at Memorial Bell Tower. Later that day, Post 39 members and visiting veterans are invited to participate in a veterans' march in Colonial Williamsburg. Veterans will march in formation behind the flags and fifes and drums from the old capital to the old courthouse for a brief program.
In Farmville, American Legion Post 268 is one of the sponsors of and will have a booth at the Salute to Service Veterans Day Extravaganza. The event will include a ceremony and live music.

Wisconsin

In Delafield, American Legion Post 196 is conducting a Veterans Day Celebration that will include an honor ceremony, a free dinner for veterans and live music.
In New London, Norris Spencer Post 263’s Legion Family will host a free chicken dinner at the post. Post 263 Adjutant Tim Roberts will be the speaker at the community Veterans Day program at New London Middle School.

Washington

In Anderson Island, Ralph L. Barsanti Memorial Post 265 is hosting a Veterans Day luncheon, an event that normally draws 80-100 attendees. The event includes a POW/MIA ceremony and a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace”.