American Legion Post 72 Commander Mitch Hankel envisions a revamped location with capacity and ability to host events such as dances and recreational family activities.
CHENEY - One of the oldest American Legion Posts in the country is getting a facelift in downtown Cheney thanks to the efforts of a small, dedicated staff of volunteers.
"It's been really difficult because of Covid to try and keep the doors open and keep the bills paid and everything. I want the community to know we're still here, we're open," Commander Mitch Hankel said.
In recent years, fraternal veteran organizations have fallen victim to declining enrollment due alienation of younger servicemembers, according to a Military Times article written in March. Hankel wants to change that in Cheney by shedding the cliche "smokey barroom" perception and reinvigorating Post 72 with new members from different generations.
"A lot of people don't even know there's an American legion in Cheney," he said. "And a lot of people don't know what it is."
Founded in Paris, France in 1919 by World War I survivors, the American Legion grew from a lobbying wing for veteran services to a nationwide philanthropic organization dedicated to, "enhance the well-being of America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness." It's a mission that the organization has upheld for nearly 103 years with nearly a dozen active fundraising programs and charitable funds.
"The American Legion family does not lose focus on the mission at hand, nor did we lose faith in our ability to strengthen American in a time of great uncertainty and stress," National Commander James "Bill" Oxford said in an address to Congress in March. "As COVID related obstacles confronted us, our members went to work confronting them head-on. Our Buddy Check program reached out and founds tens of thousands of isolated veterans and their families that needed food, medication, transportation, voting assistance, mental health checks, and, most important, a compassionate voice during a tough and confusing time."
It's that long-held tradition of aiding those in need that Cheney's Post 72 hopes to return to, but they're going to need some help. The most pressing issue at the moment is maintaining the 100-year-old structure housing the organization, located at 116 College Ave.
Battered by years of oppressive weather, the derelict roof needs intervention from a cast of volunteers to return the building to its historic splendor. Once completed, Hankel envisions a space with the capacity to host charity events, bands, dances, or recreational family activities.
"There's a lot of work to do, but with the right group of people it wouldn't take that long," said Hankel. "We could make this a premiere American Legion, for the community."
Scott Davis can be reached at [email protected].
Reader Comments(0)