Legion Family Day opens up posts to communities across the nation

In October 2022, The American Legion National Executive Committee passed Resolution No. 7, American Legion Family Day. The resolution established an American Legion Family Day to be observed annually on the last Saturday of April — this year falling on April 27.

For Legion Family Day, posts are encouraged to open their doors to members of their community for the day to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Legionnaires, Sons of The American Legion members, Legion Riders and American Legion Auxiliary.

And across the nation, American Legion posts and their Legion Family members did just that. Post doors were opened up to their communities, with many providing games and other activities for youth. The day also served as an opportunity for the community to learn more about The American Legion’s mission – including its Be the One veteran suicide prevention program.

The following are just a few examples of American Legion Family Day events that took place. Please share how your post, squadron, unit or chapter observed the day at www.legiontown.org.

California

·         In Newport Beach, American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291 used Family Day to celebrate its community while honoring members of the Legion Family. The day included a spaghetti and meatballs meal, live music, and sandcastle and cornhole competitions.

·         In McCloud, Cheula Post 92 provided cornhole, table tennis and other games, as well as tours of the post and free hot dogs, chips and dessert. The post’s American Legion Riders chapter’s motorcycles were on display, while members of all four branches of the Legion Family were on hand to answer questions.

·         In Moon Bay, American Legion Post 474’s Family Day event included sharing information about Be the One, as well as free carnival games and prizes for children and a celebrity splash tower.

·         In Ontario, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 112 sponsored an American Legion Family Day event, providing free refreshments while sharing information about the Legion, Sons of The American Legion and the Auxiliary.

Florida

In Hawthorne, American Legion Post 230’s Legion Family also used American Legion Family Day to raise awareness about Be the One.

“We want to let the veterans know that not just the post is here for them, but the community as well,” Post Commander Jane Townsend told WCBJ. “We want to be the one that prevents a veteran from committing suicide.”

Post 230 provided a service officer to share information on resources available to veterans, while the event also included a visit from a police K-9 officer, kids’ games, a bounce house and face painting.

“Today it’s called Be the One, be the one that asks a veteran how they’re doing,” American Legion Riders Chapter 230 Mark Scaletti said. “Be the one that goes up and says do you need to talk?”

Georgia

In Alpharetta, Post 201’s American Legion Family Day included a cake walk, a scavenger hunt with ice cream prizes, two bounce houses, face painting and cornhole. Free hot dogs and hamburgers also were available.

Indiana

In Michigan City, Franklin Edward Skwiat Post 451 provided hot dogs, ice cream games and prizes, as well as information about the American Legion Family, during its event.

Kansas

·         In Great Bend, Argonne Post 180’s Legion Family Day opened its doors to the community for free hot dogs, face painting, balloon animals and other treats for children. The post also provided information on scholarships, Boys State, Girls State and the Cadet Law Enforcement Academy, while the Great Bend Police Department provided Ident-A-Kid packets for parents. The packets provide parents with information about their children, including fingerprints, which they take home for safekeeping. If a child is lost or abducted, the information would be used to assist in the investigation.

·         In Cherokee, Priestly-Ridley American Legion Post 35’s American Legion Family Day shared information about the Legion Family while also providing games and treats for children, information on motorcycle safety, Boys State, Girls State and the Cadet Law Enforcement Academy and flag etiquette. Free hamburgers and refreshments also were provided.

Maryland

·         In Laurel, American Legion Post 60’s Family Day included multiple facets. The post teamed with Blue Star Families to provide a “STEM Extravaganza” that included STEM activities, drone demonstrations, free STEM books and other resources. The day also featured games and rides, a petting zoo, lunch and refreshments, and an appearance by Miss Maryland Kennedy Taylor.

·         In Glenarden, American Legion Post 275 had a full Family Day that included a Legion Riders motorcycle display, “Touch a Police Car”, games and face painting, a Buffalo Soldiers pace team, free food, games, face painting and door prizes.

·         In Betterton, C. Henry Price Post 246’s American Legion Family provided free face painting, cornhole, a bounce house and petting zoo, and food.

·         In Perryville, American Legion Susquehanna Post 135 provided information on the post programs, as well as free face painting, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and soda. The Harford County Sheriff’s Department also had a display, while the post made available information on membership.

Michigan

In Luna Pier, American Legion Post 193’s American Legion Family Day included a breakfast sponsored by Unit 193, a dinner from Squadron 193, bingo, children’s games, cornhole, raffles and a 50/50 drawing.

Minnesota

·         In Hugo, American Legion Post 620 started Family Day with an opening ceremony that was followed by a barbecue ribs competition, a bounce house and other children’s activities, pictures with Sugar the horse, and the awarding of two $1,000 scholarships to area high school students. Members of the post’s Legion Family also wore Be the One shirts to spread awareness about the suicide prevention program.

·         In Rosemount, American Legion Post 65 invited the community to learn about Legion Family programs while providing free children’s games and activities, family bingo, and free hamburgers and hot dogs. The post also conducted a clothing drive during the event.  

New Hampshire

In Rochester, American Legion Post 7 staged games, giveaways and free food during its American Legion Family Day, while also providing information on how the Legion benefits veterans, youth and community. The event also included “Touch a Tank” and information on the POW/MIA table.

New York

In New Haven, Hamlin-Weldin Post 1532 had representatives from the Legion, Auxiliary and SAL on hand to answer questions about each branch of the Legion Family. The event also included free hots dogs, macaroni salad and drinks.

Pennsylvania

In Newport, American Legion Country Club Post 177 brought members of the community together for a bounce house, dime toss, face painting, golf putting, cornhole and other activities. Also on hand for the event were the Perry County Animal Rescue, Perry County Literacy Council and the Newport Fire Company, which provided rides on its bucket truck.

Texas

In Dallas, American Legion Post 511 provided family and children’s games, as well as food and refreshments for Legion Family Day.

Virginia

·         In Newport News, American Legion Braxton-Perkins Post 25 hosted the 3rd District American Legion Family Day. The event provided information on The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion and American Legion Riders.

·         In Stafford, American Legion Post 290 provided information on the Legion Family and programs – including its fastpitch softball team – while also hosting food trucks and a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mobile center and conducting raffles. Auxiliary Unit 290 also conducted a basket raffle.