There is a story behind the American Legion’s Centennial that needs more telling for those who rarely interact with the organization. Anyone who attended the March 15 celebration at Post 116 learned its outlines and could piece together some important events. For the discerning witness, there is also a deep motive in the story.
Stress, danger, and loneliness are hallmarks not only of wars, but also of disasters, both natural and personal. Helping others endure hardship begets camaraderie. Once we discover this, it often transforms us. When military service members return home to safety, camaraderie as well as hardship is gone. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may be one outcome—roughly one in seven veterans of recent wars develop it. “Stress makes it more likely,” argues the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “while social support can make it less likely.”
The American Legion Charter
“The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.”
In short, the American Legion not only provides camaraderie for those who have risked their lives for our country, but also provides support for our entire communities. Any organization dedicated to enhancing community camaraderie and providing support in times of need deserves our recognition. That is what our community did during the 100th Anniversary celebration of the American Legion. Our Fuquay-Varina Post has seen 97 of those years.
The Local Celebration
The centennial celebration began when the Post’s Honor Guard provided a rousing salvo. A team of Fort Bragg aviators followed with a dramatic fly-over that showcased the somber missing-man formation. The planes roared by in strict formation. Then in a dramatic symbol of the ultimate service one broke away toward the heavens not to rejoin the others even during the return to base.
Mayor Byrne began the town’s reminder of what our Legion Post 116 has meant over the years. “One hundred years.” He exclaimed. “Wow!”
He went on to recount how a group of veterans who believed they could help their community and country started the local post in a log cabin. Over the years, he explained, the organization has changed but continues to make a difference in our community.
A historian might have added that what it takes to support veterans has also changed. The American Legion has steadfastly opposed enemies of our nation and our way of life, but those very enemies and ways of life have also changed. Today the Legion is becoming more of a family organization, revealed here in Fuquay-Varina by its beautiful site on Johnson Pond. Not only the Post’s buildings, but most of the pond is owned by the Legion. A major new project there involves a playground for members’ children. Providing a place to bring families close together is surely a way to counteract the loneliness of war in strange lands. But it is also a way to transfer home and sustain the camaraderie and service bred in war.
Commander Derric Grimes followed the Mayor’s welcome by recounting a list of the American Legion’s accomplishments. These have involved supporting not only veterans but also education at all levels. The Legion helped found the Veterans Administration with its extensive education and health care opportunities. It continues to create programs to teach younger students to respect the people and symbols that protect our freedom.
Support for local scout groups and Honor Guard presentations at school are standard fare at Post 116 and are often accompanied by a tour of “the deuce”, an M35, 2 ½ ton, military cargo truck. It is not only youngsters who enjoy opportunities to inspect the deuce. Steve Payne of the Eagle Squadron Chapter of the International Plastic Modeler’s Society, which meets at the Post, created and presented to the post a baby replica with incredible detail. We couldn’t read the writing of “Kilroy was Here”, but there was little else missing from the model.
Besides local organizations, even local businesses have connected with the Post in mutually beneficial ways. One new business used a “Blacksmith and Beer Day” to raise $200 for the Post.
Interview with Commander Grimes
I sat down with Commander Grimes a few days after the celebration. Just 4 years ago, he moved here from Colorado Springs, while still on active duty, and soon joined the Legion. His energy, commitment, and collaborative style soon became obvious to the membership. They recognized these by quickly moving him from Officer at Large to Vice Commander to Post Commander and now to District Commander over 22 Posts with 3,500 members. His most noted accomplishment has been reigniting the membership’s engagement with the community and its businesses. Examples include the Cruisers growing “backpacks buddies” program that now provides 100 pupils at Herbert Akins and Fuquay-Varina Elementary Schools with weekend food, “because hunger doesn’t end on Friday.” There are also more businesses offering veterans discounts and member recognition for businesses started by and supporting veterans.
The Monthly Meeting and a New Legion Program for Young Women
This month’s meeting showed a committed group of members spearheading a blood drive, the Backpack Buddies program, color guard events, bingo, scouts, recruitment, and elections. A special new initiative was presented by Steve Capozzi, Coach of the new South Wake American Legion Lady Fastpitch (for information, email SouthWakeLegionLadyFastpitch@gmail.com). With a first-in-the-nation North Carolina league formed only 1½ years ago that had 11 teams across the state, South Wake was one of the 15 new teams this year. The group expects that number to more than double by the end of this year. Such dramatic growth proclaims the need. The percentage of women recruits at both enlisted and officer levels has quadrupled over the last half century. In contrast, the Legion has long supported scouting for boys. Now, in recognition of changing women’s roles at home and in the service, there is an important place for girls to learn the camaraderie and community support that characterize the American Legion.
A Legion for All of Us
The American Legion has room for many. Women who are one or two generation descendants of honorably discharged service members form the Auxiliary. Men with similar credentials form the Sons of the American Legion. Others come as guests to the many engaging Post events, like attending the Fall Classic Car Show, witnessing one of the dramatic motorcycle parades for charity of the American Legion Riders, or giving your call between ham radio transmissions of the Post’s Amateur Radio Club. You probably have a neighbor who is a member of Post 116. If you do, there’s a good chance that you can rely on their camaraderie and service. The next hurricane, flood, or explosion that mars your tranquility may lack loneliness due to assistance from a Legionnaire. Collectively American Legion Post 116 is a hidden but treasured asset, doing more for Fuquay-Varina than most of us recognize.
