Celebrate The American Legion's 100th Anniversary This Saturday

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- American Legion Post 854 invites community members to a birthday bash celebrating the Legion’s 100th anniversary. The outdoor celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at the post located at 9701 S. Kedzie Ave. in Evergreen Park. Lunch, games and door prizes are included, along with a color guard presentation, photo history of the American Legion, video presentation, uniformed Armed Forces members and more.

“This is a historic year for the American Legion, and we wanted to take this chance to welcome the local community to our post and share, not only the history of the American Legion, but also give our members a platform to show what membership in this organization has meant to them,” Post 854 spokesman Bill Cooper said. “We hope that we can provide a fun afternoon for community members and also spread the word on the benefits to veterans when they belong to an organization like this.”

All are welcome, not just veterans. Mayor Jim Sexton will attend at noon. The post also encourages community members to bring care package items, specifically small toiletries to send to troops overseas. This event is FREE.

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization focusing on services for war-weary veterans returning home from World War I. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million members and local chapters sprang up across the country.

Evergreen Park’s chapter has been part of the southwest suburban community for 80 years. The post is open to all and works with the community and other veterans organizations. Members provide support and resources to disabled vets and discharged veterans.
Keep up with American Legion Post 854 on Facebook.