Post 327 in Norfolk has fed and provided needed supplies to sailors now housed at Norfolk Naval Station as a result of the conflict in Iran.
American Legion Tidewater Post 327 in Norfolk, Va., is providing food, support and camaraderie to sailors who were evacuated from Bahrain due to the conflict in Iran and now are housed at Naval Station Norfolk. The post has spent the past week feeding and collecting donations of toiletries and gift cards to help the sailors feel at home amid being displaced from their duty station.
“Imagine the chaos they had to go through to get back to the states and then going to a base you’ve never been to, being put in a barracks room with nothing and then somebody like The American Legion coming to bring you to their home and feed you, and ask you if you need anything, ask you if you’re alright,” said Post 327 Commander Derrick Johnson. “I preach all the time to the Legionnaires, let’s remember what we’re here for. We are here to take care of veterans and active duty. This is what we do.”
Johnson received word that toiletry donations were needed for the sailors, then a parent of a sailor knew a post member and reached out for support. That resulted in the post member picking up the sailor and two of his friends from Naval Station Norfolk and feeding them breakfast at the post where they also enjoyed playing pool, watching movies and “just enjoying the camaraderie,” Johnson said.
From there, Legionnaires used the Post 327 American Legion van to pick up those three sailors again and about 15 others from Naval Station Norfolk on Sunday, March 22, to bring them back to the post, where Auxiliary members cooked a spaghetti dinner. And the sailors didn’t go back empty handed. They were given bags filled with snacks to take back to their barracks.
“It was very touching,” said Johnson of watching the Legionnaires, Riders, Sons and Auxiliary come together quickly to support the young sailors. “This is real-time effect of what we do and how we can help and the reach that we have. Our post, in a matter of less than a day, we came together and had donation bins inside the post home. The American Legion Family did this. Everybody just jumped in there and did what they could to help these sailors. It just made me feel really proud.”
A news station visited the post last Sunday to capture how its members answered the call to support the sailors. And while listening to an interview with a sailor, Johnson said they shared that “they had never experienced so much love from complete strangers. They were just in awe that people love them and want to take care of them and make sure they’re well, want to feed them, make sure they have what they need. We were able to care for them quickly, and to be a part of this is something special.”
Johnson shared on Post 327’s Facebook page how the Legion Family stepped up and made the sailors feel at home. In the post he wrote, “You showed them exactly what it means to be part of the American Legion Family. You didn’t hesitate. You stepped up. You gave. And in doing so, you sent a clear message to every one of those Sailors: we have your back. This is who we are. This is what we do.”
Responses from the Facebook post were filled with gratitude. Lana Collins wrote, “It was an incredible evening. I’m so proud to be a member of Post 327.” And Sue Hopkins replied, “They were SO appreciative of everything everyone did for them last night!! Thank you Keith (Shanesy, Post 327 2nd vice commander) for ALL you did for them and Derrick also!!”
Johnson said the post is proud to have opened its doors to the sailors who now know they will always have a place to go for support and camaraderie. “We told them anytime they need us to call, and we will come get them and bring them over. We are proud to do it and have the ability to do so.”
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