I shall start by saying that in April 2016 Laughlin, Nev., Richard Springston Post 60 became a new charter, starting off with only 11 members and three supporters. Currently we are at 22 members and eight supporters strong and growing.
Within the first eight months we have adopted a second grade for the local elementary school which has three separate classes, donating $300 for materials and supplies to include specialty items for special-needs children. Also noteworthy to mention, we hosted a October poker run and raised $2,000 for the local charity river fund specifically for veterans within that charity. And lastly we adopted a family for Christmas - a veteran grandfather taking care and custody of five grandchildren; we gave to them $750 and also purchased a Christmas tree from the Aquarius casino silent auction in the tone of $1,000 paid for by a member of the ALR.
Why is this noteworthy, you may ask? We do all this with such a small number of members for a town that shows just over 4,500 people.
I don't recall ever going to, let alone belonging to, an American legion post where all the pillars of the Legion Family are treated as 100 percent family and equals.
The Legion Riders cannot exist without the full support of the post. And the post definitely can benefit from the support of the Legion Riders; like I say at every meeting I hold, we are Legion first and family first most.