2017 Year in Review

A look back at images created by American Legion visual journalists Lucas Carter and Clay Lomneth, as well as select freelance contributors, highlighting key moments from 2017.
Pfc Kamau Miller holds his teary-eyed four-year-old daughter Kailyn Miller during the Army National Guard 29th Combat Aviation Brigade deployment ceremony at the MG Warren D. Hodges Armory Building located in the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Grounds-Edgewood Area, Sunday January 29, 2017. Brigade will be deployed for nine months in the Middle East. Photo by Matt Roth/The American Legion.
Pfc Kamau Miller holds his teary-eyed four-year-old daughter Kailyn Miller during the Army National Guard 29th Combat Aviation Brigade deployment ceremony at the MG Warren D. Hodges Armory Building located in the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Grounds-Edgewood Area, Sunday January 29, 2017. Brigade will be deployed for nine months in the Middle East. Photo by Matt Roth/The American Legion.
American Legion National Commander Charles Schmidt gives his testimony on Capitol Hill at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
American Legion National Commander Charles Schmidt gives his testimony on Capitol Hill at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
John Looker, the Department of Ohio Oration Chairman, greets competitor Renee Betterson from Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday, April 22, 2017 in Indianapolis, Ind. at the Wyndham Hotel. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
John Looker, the Department of Ohio Oration Chairman, greets competitor Renee Betterson from Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday, April 22, 2017 in Indianapolis, Ind. at the Wyndham Hotel. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Andrew Steinberg of Massachusetts gives his prepared oration on Sunday, April 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Ind. at the Wyndham Hotel. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Andrew Steinberg of Massachusetts gives his prepared oration on Sunday, April 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Ind. at the Wyndham Hotel. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
World War II veteran Bruce Benson plays taps nightly outside his house in Webb City, Mo., for the past two years in memory of his comrades and his late wife. Benson is photographed on Monday, May 22. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
World War II veteran Bruce Benson plays taps nightly outside his house in Webb City, Mo., for the past two years in memory of his comrades and his late wife. Benson is photographed on Monday, May 22. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Maricela Rodriguez and her dog Cloudy at the start of the Chicago Veterans Ruck March in Glencoe, Ill. on Friday, May 26, 2017. She said she was marching
Maricela Rodriguez and her dog Cloudy at the start of the Chicago Veterans Ruck March in Glencoe, Ill. on Friday, May 26, 2017. She said she was marching "just to support the cause." Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Medal of Honor recipient Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr. lays a poppy at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial during The American Legion's celebration of National Poppy Day in Washington, D.C., on Friday, May 26. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Medal of Honor recipient Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr. lays a poppy at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial during The American Legion's celebration of National Poppy Day in Washington, D.C., on Friday, May 26. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Nearly 300 American Legion Riders participated in Rolling Thunder despite periods of heavy rain in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, May 28. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Nearly 300 American Legion Riders participated in Rolling Thunder despite periods of heavy rain in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, May 28. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, coached by Sons of The American Legion member Bucky Weaver, put on a softball camp for children missing a limb in Fairfax, Va., on Friday, Jun. 16, 2017. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion
The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team, coached by Sons of The American Legion member Bucky Weaver, put on a softball camp for children missing a limb in Fairfax, Va., on Friday, Jun. 16, 2017. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion
Emily Stith competes in the 2017 American Legion Junior Shooting Sports finals at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, July 22. Photo by Chet Strange/The American Legion
Emily Stith competes in the 2017 American Legion Junior Shooting Sports finals at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday, July 22. Photo by Chet Strange/The American Legion
Alabama Nationalist Darius Thomas celebrates being elected 2017 American Legion Boys Nation president on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Alabama Nationalist Darius Thomas celebrates being elected 2017 American Legion Boys Nation president on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Past National Commander and Director of Activities Robert Turner leads junior section counselors and Boys Nation senators in song after graduation on Friday, July 28, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Past National Commander and Director of Activities Robert Turner leads junior section counselors and Boys Nation senators in song after graduation on Friday, July 28, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
American Legion National Commander Charles E. Schmidt speaks to a full crowd as the 8 teams competing in the 2017 American Legion World Series are presented on Thursday, August 10, 2017 in Shelby, N.C.. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
American Legion National Commander Charles E. Schmidt speaks to a full crowd as the 8 teams competing in the 2017 American Legion World Series are presented on Thursday, August 10, 2017 in Shelby, N.C.. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
John Howard Bobo of Henderson, Nev., Post 40 carries their national championship banner after his team's 2-1 win over Omaha, Neb., Post 1 during the championship game of The American Legion World Series on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 in Shelby, N.C.. Photo by Matt Roth/The American Legion.
John Howard Bobo of Henderson, Nev., Post 40 carries their national championship banner after his team's 2-1 win over Omaha, Neb., Post 1 during the championship game of The American Legion World Series on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 in Shelby, N.C.. Photo by Matt Roth/The American Legion.
The Legacy Run travels on Highway 50 in Nevada, also known as
The Legacy Run travels on Highway 50 in Nevada, also known as "The Loneliest Highway in America" on Wednesday, August 16, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Linda Clark and Jim Williams take a break on the swings in Green River, Utah on Monday, August 14, 2017 amidst the 2017 American Legion Legacy Run. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Linda Clark and Jim Williams take a break on the swings in Green River, Utah on Monday, August 14, 2017 amidst the 2017 American Legion Legacy Run. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
The Legion Riders sing
The Legion Riders sing "Proud to Be an American" in Fallon, Nev. on Thursday, August 17, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Tim Senkowski, middle, heads out to the glider as a part of an Operation Comfort Warriors grant during The American Legion's 99th annual National Convention in Truckee, Calif., on Saturday, August 19, 2017 Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Tim Senkowski, middle, heads out to the glider as a part of an Operation Comfort Warriors grant during The American Legion's 99th annual National Convention in Truckee, Calif., on Saturday, August 19, 2017 Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Newly-elected National American Legion Auxiliary President Diane Duscheck and Sons of The American Legion National Commander Danny Smith join new National Commander Denise Rohan on stage during the 99th American Legion National Convention in Reno, Nev. on Thursday, August 24. Photo by Clay Lomneth/The American Legion
Newly-elected National American Legion Auxiliary President Diane Duscheck and Sons of The American Legion National Commander Danny Smith join new National Commander Denise Rohan on stage during the 99th American Legion National Convention in Reno, Nev. on Thursday, August 24. Photo by Clay Lomneth/The American Legion
From left to right, Fred Alvarez (Legion), Doug Michaels (Sons of The American Legion), and Johnny Rojas (Sons of The American Legion) prepare large batches of venison spaghetti for first responders working in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey at Post 560 in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday, August 30. Photo by Todd Spoth/The American Legion
From left to right, Fred Alvarez (Legion), Doug Michaels (Sons of The American Legion), and Johnny Rojas (Sons of The American Legion) prepare large batches of venison spaghetti for first responders working in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey at Post 560 in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday, August 30. Photo by Todd Spoth/The American Legion
Auxiliary member Cindi Taylor points out damage to Post 333 in Key Largo, Fla. on Friday, September 15, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Auxiliary member Cindi Taylor points out damage to Post 333 in Key Largo, Fla. on Friday, September 15, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
From left, Lena Heredia-Perez, Commander of Post 9, Mary Tarnowski from Unit 129 and Earl Saul from Post 316 unload water at Post 129 in Jacksonville on Saturday, September 16, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
From left, Lena Heredia-Perez, Commander of Post 9, Mary Tarnowski from Unit 129 and Earl Saul from Post 316 unload water at Post 129 in Jacksonville on Saturday, September 16, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Bob Grinis, Post 11 Adjutant, outside the flooded post in Arcadia, Fla. on Sunday, September 17, 2017 after Hurricane Irma caused a nearby river to leave the post full of water. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Bob Grinis, Post 11 Adjutant, outside the flooded post in Arcadia, Fla. on Sunday, September 17, 2017 after Hurricane Irma caused a nearby river to leave the post full of water. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Gabby Graves-Wake pumps her fist on the medal stand after receiving the silver medal at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Ontario on Sunday, September 24, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Gabby Graves-Wake pumps her fist on the medal stand after receiving the silver medal at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Ontario on Sunday, September 24, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Anthony Pone waves to the crowd as he receives the gold medal for the Men's IF5 Discus at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Ontario on Monday, September 25, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Anthony Pone waves to the crowd as he receives the gold medal for the Men's IF5 Discus at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Ontario on Monday, September 25, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth / The American Legion.
Ray Kacer stands in front of a pile of what was his belongings after his home of 40 years was flooded out. Wharton, Texas, which is located 60 miles southwest of Houston, was hit especially hard by the effects of Hurricane Harvey, and the cleanup process for many is ongoing a month after the storm. Photograph made on Friday, September 29, 2017 Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Ray Kacer stands in front of a pile of what was his belongings after his home of 40 years was flooded out. Wharton, Texas, which is located 60 miles southwest of Houston, was hit especially hard by the effects of Hurricane Harvey, and the cleanup process for many is ongoing a month after the storm. Photograph made on Friday, September 29, 2017 Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
John Howard Bobo of Henderson, Nev., Post 40 acts as a third base coach during a base running drill as a part of MLB's Play Ball event.  American Legion Henderson, Nev. Post 40, the 2017 American Legion World Series champions, help lead an MLB Play Ball event in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, October 28, 2017 ahead of game 4 of the World Series. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
John Howard Bobo of Henderson, Nev., Post 40 acts as a third base coach during a base running drill as a part of MLB's Play Ball event. American Legion Henderson, Nev. Post 40, the 2017 American Legion World Series champions, help lead an MLB Play Ball event in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, October 28, 2017 ahead of game 4 of the World Series. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Artists Brian Goodwin and Mike Skeletal stand in front of their completed mural in Amherst, Ohio on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth/The American Legion
Artists Brian Goodwin and Mike Skeletal stand in front of their completed mural in Amherst, Ohio on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Photo by Clay Lomneth/The American Legion
Kenneth Wong, Commander of Lt. B.R. Kimlau Post 1291 in New York, N.Y., chats with some of the 35 midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy and their commanding officer in New York, N.Y.  on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.
Kenneth Wong, Commander of Lt. B.R. Kimlau Post 1291 in New York, N.Y., chats with some of the 35 midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy and their commanding officer in New York, N.Y. on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Photo by Lucas Carter/The American Legion.