Veterans to celebrate 96th birthday of the American Legion

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - The Woodlands American Legion Post 305 will celebrate a stars and stripes event for the 96th birthday of the American Legion at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at the South County Community Center. Birthday cake will be served, along with the traditional birthday song, and an Initiation Ceremony for six new members. This meeting is open to the public.

“Every year we honor this historical landmark occasion out of respect to fellow veterans and war heroes,” Commander Pete Koch, Master Chief Petty Officer, USN (Ret.) said. “We are really looking forward to the 100-year mark, which will be a huge event for us.”

The first American Legion caucus of the American Expeditionary Force convened in Paris March 15, 1919 and was chartered by the United States Congress as a patriotic veterans’ organization. Focus is honed on the service to veterans, members and communities. The Legion evolved from a relatively small group of veterans in WWI into one of the most influential non-profit groups in the United States.

Today, membership stands at over 2.4 million in 14,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines. The Legion has pushed for better medical care for veterans from the many effects of war, such as Agent Orange, oil field fires and Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. It has been a leader for reform of medical care at the Veterans Administration Medical Centers, and it continues to keep members of Congress and the American public informed of issues affecting all veterans.

The Woodlands American Legion Post 305 invites veterans and patriots to the 96th Birthday Celebration, which will be held after the weekly meeting at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19 at the South County Community Center located at 2235 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. To become more involved through membership support or for more information, call 936-900-8852 or email petekoch76@gmail.com.