On April 25, posts will invite members of their communities to various celebrations of The American Legion Family.
On American Legion Family Day, posts are encouraged to open their doors to members of their community for the day to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Legionnaires, Sons of The American Legion members, Legion Riders and American Legion Auxiliary. The day also serves as an ideal opportunity to bring awareness to the Legion’s Be the One mission to reduce the rate of veteran suicide.
American Legion Family Day was established through the National Executive Committee’s Resolution No. 7, American Legion Family Day at its Fall Meeting in October 2022. This year, American Legion Family Day falls on April 25.
The following are what some posts have planned for American Legion Family Day. If you’re conducting a similar event, please share your stories and photos on Legiontown.org.
Florida
In Fernandina Beach, Theodore H. Hernandez American Legion Post 54 has invited the community to celebrate the post’s service, Legion Family and local impact at its event.
The free event will include:
· Local vendors offering veteran resources and information from community nonprofits
· A kids’ booth with face painting and crafts
· Complimentary hamburgers and hot dogs
· Opportunities to learn about programs supporting veterans and local youth
Visitors will have an opportunity to interact with Post 54’s Legion Family members and learn about Be the One. There also will be a ceremony in which city and county leaders will present official proclamations, while guest speakers will recognize the continued contributions of The American Legion Family.
Illinois
· In Belvidere, North Boone Post 205 and Boone Post 77 are teaming to host an American Legion Family Day event that will be family friendly and include food, games and live music.
· In Danville, American Legion Post 210’s American Legion Family Day event will feature activities for all ages, live music and information for veterans.
Indiana
· In Newburgh, American Legion Post 44’s American Legion Family Day will include flyover photo of the Post’s Legion Family; a cook out with hot dogs, hamburgers and sides; and a flag-retirement ceremony.
· In Monroeville, Keith Brown Post 420 is hosting its inaugural American Legion Family Day. The free event is open to the public and will feature a resource table for veterans with VA questions, a kids activity area and an opportunity to meet with the post’s Legion Family members.
Maryland
· In Owings Mills, Liberty Post 122 is hosting a free community American Legion Family Day that will include music, a bounce house, horse rides, cornhole, food and a gaming truck.
· In Perryville, American Legion Post 135’s American Legion Family Day will include games and activities for all ages, face painting, cornhole, food, no-bat baseball and other activities.
Missouri
In St. Robert, American Legion Post 331 is inviting the community to its American Legion Family Day event to participate in karaoke, pool, trivia, a cornhole tournament, raffles and fundraisers tours of a the post and an opportunity to meet local veterans.
The post also will share information on Be the One, as well as the Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance program, support for homeless veterans, and on American Legion Americanism program such as Legion Baseball, Boys and Girls State and Oratoricals.
Nevada
In Henderson, BMI Post 40 is hosting an American Legion Family Day BBQ that is free to all Legion Family members, veterans and military families.
New York
In Whitestown, Oriskany Post 1448 is inviting the public to take part in activities for all ages, including kids axe throwing, temporary tattoos, ladder ball, cornhole and giant Jenga. The Oriskany Fire Department also will provide a free rescue demonstration, while the post will provide free hot dogs, and Shirley Temple and root beer float stations.
Oklahoma
In Tulsa, The American Legion Family from Posts 1776, 1 and 308 are teaming for their Red, White & Blue Fair-America 250 to celebrate American Legion Family Day. The free family friendly event will feature live music, food trucks, a bounce house, a fire truck, veteran resources and other activities for all ages.
South Carolina
In Aiken, Winthrop Hall Post 212 is inviting the community to learn about its programs and the values of The American Legion. The event will include food, activities and information about The American Legion Family,
Texas
In Bryan, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 159 is hosting an American Legion Family Day that will feature carnival games, prizes, food and information booths highlighting what The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary do in the community. There also will be a fire truck and police car on display, as well as service dogs from Patriot Paws. And Unit 159’s Shooting Sports program will be promoted at the event.
“We want to celebrate our programs that we do, and we want to promote it within the community,” Unit 159 Treasurer Alicia Kim said. “And hopefully that will lead to some more partnerships so that we can help our veterans and our community.”
Utah
In Cedar City, American Legion Post 74 and Auxiliary Unit 74 are inviting their community to an opportunity to learn about the Legion Family and its accomplishments, as well as its Be the One veteran suicide prevention mission. The event will include snacks and activities.
Virginia
In Colonial Heights, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 284’s American Legion Family Day will include a Be the One 5K and remarks from a local youth who has experienced mental health issues.
Unit 284 also will use the event to honor a few locals, including three first graders who saved their teacher from choking late last year, as well as to honor a local youth who made 40 homemade Christmas cards to send to veterans. There also will be food and activities for all ages.
- Community