A national veterans organization is marking its 100th birthday — complete with a local party.
The American Legion was founded March 15, 1919 in Paris and chartered by the United States Congress later that year. Since then, the national organization has helped provide services for veterans and their families as well as local youth.
To celebrate, the Greenwood American Legion Post 252, located on U.S. 31, hosted the 100th birthday party for its members and the community, including Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers.
“It’s not every day you turn 100 years old,” said Jesse Brown, commander of the post.
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The Greenwood post opened Oct. 15, 1920. As a local organization, they provide immediate service to veterans such as if they need help with rehabilitation, a place to stay or help with groceries and bills. They also help local youth in Boy Scouts and also sponsor students to attend a leadership conference.
The group has organizations for family members through the Sons of the American Legion group. In addition, the American Legion lobbies on behalf of veteran’s affairs and they raise money for different causes, including Clothe a Child and VA hospitals through the American Legion Riders.
“The core values they (the founders) came up with is still instilled in every post,” Brown said. “For it to exist 100 year and still go strong … that’s an organization I want to be a part of.”
Myers took time to thank the members for all they do for the veterans and Greenwood community.
“Think of the number of wounded, the number who have suffered from PTSD and many other things, what if they didn’t have you?” Myers said. “I want to thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made.”
Tom Morton, first vice commander of the Sons of the American Legion in Greenwood, said the 100th anniversary is a milestone for the organization.
“I’m very proud to be associated with the American Legion,” Morton said. “It’s the sense of being in the background and knowing that you’re doing something good, and I hope that someon will carry it on when I’m gone.”
Mark Quinn, member of the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Riders, said he’s proud to be a part of of an organization that’s been around for so long.
“It’s an honor to be a part of what those great people started,” Quinn said.
For the future of the Greenwood American Legion, they are looking for new, younger members, Quinn and Morton said. They said the post has more younger members than others, but they are looking for more people to continue to carry out its services.
“We are actually a fun place. We’re not Great Times, but we’re fun,” Quinn said.
