Hawaii post cleans up while raising visibility

For The American Legion Family at John R. Rowe Post 17 in Honolulu, an effort to beautify its community also was an opportunity to get The American Legion’s name out there.

Post 17 recently adopted a stretch of highway on Oahu, and during their January clean-up of the stretch those involved in the effort made sure passersby knew who they were. A large sign with both The American Legion and American Legion Riders emblem, along with the words “American Legion Post 17” and “Ask Why You Should Belong,” hung on the back of Post 17 Commander Pete Provencio’s truck for the duration of the effort.

Post 17 has used the sign in the past as part of its outreach efforts, using it with recruitment tables, during Legion Riders events and rides, and for fundraisers.

Provencio said the idea to adopt the highway came from Post 17 service officer Steve Painter. The clean-up effort itself included members of the post, Auxiliary Unit 17 members – including Provencio’s wife, Department of Hawaii Auxiliary Vice President Patti Provencio – and members of Chapter 17’s Legion Riders, which is the only Riders chapter on Oahu.

John DiGiovanni, a Post 17 member, doubles as a leader in the Young Marines, a program that focuses on character building and leadership. He brought a handful of Young Marines to assist with the clean-up.

Provencio said bringing the sign to the clean-up was a good way to let the community know Post 17 is “out there.” He praised Painter and fellow Post 17 member Fran Riddell, the Department of Hawaii senior vice commander, for their leadership in helping raise Post 17’s visibility in the community.

Provencio, who is a member of ALR Chapter 17 and previously founded American Legion Riders Chapter 434 in Chula Vista, Calif., said the post is doing what it can to grow. “We’re trying to get the message out about what The American Legion is,” he said.