A 50-year anniversary is a milestone for anyone. It is particularly significant when it involves membership to The American Legion, a military veterans organization. Rich Jochem, a Post 178 Army veteran, recently celebrated his 50-year anniversary as a member of The American Legion.

Not surprisingly, he owns the longest membership tenure of the more than 675 members of Post 178. Since retirement, he and his wife, Joann, travel both in and out of the country. He also volunteers at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1963 and the Legion in 1968. When asked why he became a member and renewed all those years, he replied “I was proud of my military service, and maintaining my membership enabled me to share fellowship with other veterans.”

Photographs by Jeanie Beale