{"id":71853,"date":"2019-03-12T08:29:46","date_gmt":"2019-03-12T12:29:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/?p=71853"},"modified":"2019-03-13T07:07:09","modified_gmt":"2019-03-13T11:07:09","slug":"american-legion-post-401-celebrates-centennial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2019\/03\/12\/american-legion-post-401-celebrates-centennial\/","title":{"rendered":"American Legion Post 401 celebrates centennial"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The American Legion, founded on March 15, 1919, is holding celebrations nationwide in honor of its centennial. The Legion has played a vital role in supporting veterans and the communities in which they live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

America\u2019s brave doughboys are credited for creating the American Legion. A.E.F. officer, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., the eldest son of the twenty-sixth President, was one of several World War I-era founders who had a vision for a veterans\u2019 organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"American<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Owego Legion Commander, Bonnie Hand explained that Post 401, located at 263 Front St., has been a supporter of youth and veteran programs for many years and continues that legacy of service today. Post 401 received their charter from the N.Y.S. American Legion on Feb. 4, 1932.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 401 supports the Tioga County kid\u2019s picnic, boys and girls\u2019 baseball, the Boy Scouts and Tioga Boys and Girls Club, as well as assists local veterans\u2019 families at Christmas with food and gifts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, Post 401 offers a history scholarship to an O.F.A. graduate each year and participates in the annual POW\/MIA Vigil. Within Post 401, the Sons of the American Legion presents a sports scholarship to an O.F.A. graduate, and also supports Camp Ahwaga and the Tioga County Rural Ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to be eligible for American Legion membership, a veteran\u2019s time of service must coincide with an official era of war. The restriction, Hand remarked, has left out thousands of service members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"American
Pictured, are Post 401 members posing in front of ambulances that the Legion ran from about 1957 to 1986 as a back-up to the Owego Fire ambulance. Provided photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A bipartisan bill called \u201cThe Legion Act\u201d was filed in the Senate just last month, and, if passed, will expand eligibility for American Legion membership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hand would like to see that change, and said, \u201cAll veterans should be recognized; they have sacrificed so much.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hand was named Post 401 Commander in May of 2018. Retired from the Navy Reserves where she worked in various Nursing capacities including the Portsmouth, Va. Naval Hospital, Hand was called up to serve in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. Bidding farewell to two young children at that time was difficult, Hand said, yet the experience at a tent hospital remains a fond memory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"American
Pictured are Legion ambulances parked on the front lawn of Post 401 located at 263 Front St. in Owego.\u00a0The Legion ambulances worked as a back-up to the Owego Fire ambulance from about 1957 to 1986.\u00a0Provided photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Among other work, Hand assisted in a humanitarian effort in Thailand, and recalls the thrill of flying off the supercarrier, U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. In addition to her role at Post 401, Hand also volunteers at a local food pantry, and where she has assisted fellow veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking a step back in time, much of the Owego Legion\u2019s documented history was lost in the Flood of 2011. According to current members, the original building was intended to house the Owego Serviceman\u2019s Memorial Home, although that plan never materialized. In its early days a fire gutted two upper floors of what once was a three-story property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Post 401 Ladies Auxiliary was established in September 1933, and then in 1966, the Sons of the American Legion was formed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"American
American Legion Post 401 members have participated in many parades, including this one, pictured, from the 1948 Memorial Day parade in Owego. Provided photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hand commented that an ambulance service operated by Legion members from about 1957 to 1986 backed up the Owego Fire ambulance, and a Senior Drum and Bugle Corps called the Kickapoos, along with a Junior Drum Corp known as the Kickapettes, as is noted in newspaper archives, participated at area events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post 401 is proud of their members who served in leadership positions at the State and National Levels, and in 2017 honored five members who were recognized for 70 and 50 years of continuous membership in the organization. At its peak, Post 401 membership topped 700-plus, while today\u2019s number is about 130.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One significant concern for the future, Hand explained, is gaining accessibility for the disabled at Post 401. The Post has pursued various avenues to acquire the funding needed to make an accessible entrance and planned restroom renovations, but to date those efforts have been unsuccessful. Another option, Hand said, is to find a one-story building elsewhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"American
Pictured is the American Legion Post 401, located at 263 Front St. in Owego. In honor of the American Legion’s centennial this year, Post 401 invites the public to attend an Open House on Saturday, March 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. Refreshments and cake will be served, and a D.J. will be on hand to play music.\u00a0(Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In celebration of the Legion\u2019s centennial, Post 401 invites the public to an Open House on Saturday, March 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. Refreshments and cake will be served, and guests can enjoy music by a disc jockey. Tioga County and Village officials have also been invited. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For veterans and their families, representatives from the Tioga County Veterans Service Agency, the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group and the Soldiers Wish organization will be on hand to chat one-on-one with guests.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also in honor of the American Legion\u2019s centennial, the four Legion locations in Tioga County, including Candor, Nichols, Waverly and Owego, are holding a 5K Run\/Walk on Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m. at Hickories Park. Proceeds will benefit Legion baseball and other youth and veterans programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"American
Pictured are members of the American Legion Post 401 Drum and Bugle Corps in an undated photo.\u00a0Provided photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Prizes in multiple categories will be awarded, along with \u201cBest Patriotic Outfits.\u201d Participants who register with a $25 fee by May 11 will receive a shirt. Race Day registration begins at 9:30 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For information, visit http:\/\/Legion5K.itsyourrace.co<\/a>m<\/a>, or call (607) 972-3789.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also find the American Legion Post 401 on Facebook or visit http:\/\/ny401.legionpost.us\/post\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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