The ‘why’ to starting a new American Legion post

The ‘why’ to starting a new American Legion post

Tony Berenotto, commander of Post 205 in Clay-Trussville, Ala., shares why the post was chartered this past March.

“Our post is proudly named after a local U.S. Army hero that we lost in Afghanistan in 2011, while I was still in Iraq myself. The community has proudly rallied around this young man and his family. We have even recruited his family as members, and his father and an Executive Committeeman.

“We started American Legion SSG M.W. Hosey Post 205 because we identified the need for a strong, dedicated veterans service organization in our community. We wanted all four components of the American Legion Family immediately, or as soon as we were allowed, because we knew the impact the entire Legion Family can have on the success of the post from our previous experience.  Our team included those family members in the planning of the post from day one and it took us over three years to bring it to fruition. 

“We wanted to hit the ground running and we have. We received a great response from the elected leaders in our cities, and they have been instrumental in us establishing a post home and in providing meeting spaces for all of our activities, which include four meetings a month and numerous additional events. We couldn’t do it without them and we are very grateful.

“We wrote a resolution that created a department award for emergency 911 communication professionals on the same level as law enforcement and firefighters. And our Firefighter of the Year won the department-level award.  Additionally, we are establishing an award for Volunteer Lawyer of the Year for those that provide pro bono assistance to the veteran community.

“Our Oratorical, Boys and Girls State, Baseball, junior shooters and veteran outreach programs are all in various stages of development.
“All of this could not be possible without the formation of a great team of Legionnaires, Sons and Auxiliary members.”