While it has just passed, Veterans Day is still fresh in the minds of many Americans. But just because it has passed doesn’t mean people shouldn’t help out those who served in our armed forces.
One of the biggest organizations for veterans is the American Legion. Created and charted by Congress in 1919, they advocate for veterans and their families, helping lobby for benefits like the G.I. Bill and pensions.
“I knew when I got out, I would join the military. It’s just something I wanted to do was serve,” said Commander of the Oswego Legion Post 675 and Marine Corps veteran Kris Kearns. “The Legion’s mission of helping the veterans and being here for the veterans and being part of the community was something that I was drawn to. Plus it’s kind of nice hanging with fellow veterans,” said Kearns.
As commander of the Oswego post, he oversees the general operations of the sector.
“We have general meetings, we do car shows, we do special events throughout the community, so I spend a fair amount of time here. We have a handful of volunteers who spend a lot of time here,” said Kearns.
The Legion has several people who spend time helping them out with tasks around the post.
“My father was very active here at the Legion… When people weren’t here, he would ask me to come in and help, so I kind of got involved when he was here,” said Legion volunteer Lisa Gorman.
Lisa spends most of her time on Fridays at the fish fry and enjoys volunteering.
“It makes me feel close to my father. He passed away seven years ago, and I like the people that are here [[…]] It’s nice to see the veterans come in and I feel like I’m giving back to, you know, what they gave us,” said Gorman.
Most of the Legion is comprised of older veterans who fought in wars like the Vietnam War and have different experiences from those who served more recently.
“I feel like the American Legion tends to be a different generation of military veterans, typically older, mostly like World War Two and Vietnam veterans,” said Maggie Hill, a special education teacher and head cheerleading coach at OH who also served as a Captain in the army.
She isn’t part of the Legion herself but, “I respect them highly [so] I never kind of pursued that avenue,” said Hill.
You can just call me Max. I write about things that interest me. This is my second year on the team and I'm in 12th grade. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication
Amazing job!
i like fish fry friday