The American Legion Gilmer Post 320 is establishing roots to make an impact in the community.

“We will have our first formal meeting 6:30 p.m., Monday March 15 at the Disabled American Veteran Post, 1115 N. Hwy 271, Gilmer. We will be electing officers at this meeting,” said Cmdr. Linda Reed.

The American Legion seems to be a rather well-kept secret as to the impact it makes in a community.

The four pillars that the legion is based on are much the same of those of our country and include Veteran and families, Children and Youth, Community, and National Security. Post 63 has vowed to establish and carry out the programs of these four pillars while impacting and nurturing our future.

The Veteran and Families programs are in place to help with benefits for our veterans and their families, including the GI Bill, housing, medical, disability compensation and rating, job preference, Heroes to Hometown, Wounded Warrior, Ride to Recovery Programs to assist returning injured soldiers with their needs to live a fulfilling life.

Children and Youth programs consist of over 250 programs based on the future of our youth. Many of these are scholarship programs that are easily attainable and do not require prior family military service. The Oratorical Scholarship program has just recently awarded over two thousand dollars to a Texas Student for education. Boys and Girls State, and Nation programs are nurturing the desire of the students for futures in Law, Politics, Government and send these students to Austin and Washington, DC for on hands understanding of our political system, scouting programs, American Legion Baseball is another program that has sent many of our youth to the professional leagues, other programs include Jr. Law Cadet Program, Family Support Programs, Child Health and Safety, Jr. Shooting Program.

The community programs include the Blue Star Banner program, Police Fire EMS programs and awards education and etiquette of our flag and what it stands for comes under Americanism.

Post 320 will be forming an Auxiliary Unit, Sons of the American Legion Squadron and the American Legion Riders Chapter. The Legions programs help to pull all Americans together for the purpose of unity, caring, and commitment. Should you wish to attend the meetings to better understand our programs you may do so, Post 63 prides itself on being a family organization and welcomes everyone to attend.

We are looking forward to helping the community come back to the “front porch pride.”

You are eligible if you served in the military during a war/conflict time, you did not have to serve “In County”. Also eligible are sons, daughters, grand, great grandchildren of someone that served. If you enjoy riding motorcycles and fit the eligibility, join us and ride for the Veteran programs. Need more info: Linda M. Reed, 3rd District Commander ladilegionnaire@yahoo.com, 903 806 2900.