I Am The American Legion: Sandra Kee

It’s hard to overlook Capt. Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3 in Gloucester, Mass. Not only is the post’s historic building in the center of the nearly 400-year-old city, with the harbor at its back, but its members serve others year-round.

“Our community thinks of us as a pillar,” says Sandra Kee, Department of Massachusetts vice commander and 16-year member of Post 3. “When you have a community like this and a town like this, it just brings something special to the plate. All the children and youth organizations know if they need a place to hold a function, the Legion will help them out. We like to think of our post as a community home.”

You’ll find members of Post 3 front and center at Gloucester’s biggest and most-loved events. They host the nine-day St. Peter’s Fiesta Novena, have a prominent spot in the annual Fishtown Horribles Parade, and deliver hundreds of meals at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Kee finds joy in strengthening those ties through service. 

“What inspires me to give back to the community of Gloucester is the smile on people’s faces when you do it,” she says. “It’s not about me. It’s not about the post. It’s about being a part of something bigger than either of those two things. If that’s not inspiration enough, I don’t know what is.”

Branch of Service  Navy (1991-1994)

Rank  Petty officer third class

Military job  Electronics technician

American Legion post  Capt. Lester S. Wass Post 3, Gloucester, Mass.

Years in The Legion  16

Legion activities

• Post commander (2005-2007)

• District commander (2014-2015)

• Department vice commander (2018-present)

• Department Legion College training and education chairman (2018-present)

• National Marketing Commission (2017-present)

• National 21st Century Ad Hoc Committee (2017-present)

• National American Legion College graduate (2016), facilitator (2018)