The American Legion Siloam Post 29 is inviting the public to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the organization's national chapter on Saturday.
The day will likely kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Siloam Springs Chamber of Commerce at the American Legion Community Hall, also known as the Community Building, Post 29 Commander Jim Wilbanks said. It will begin at 10 a.m. and is free and open to the public, however donations are accepted.
A number of different speakers will address the audience to speak on a few topics. Former Post 29 Commander J.W. Smith will speak about the general history of the American Legion, Wilbanks said. Former Post 29 Commander Junior Ford will speak more specifically about the history of Post 29 and a final speaker, Post 29 Public Relations Officer Jerry Cavness, will speak about ongoing programs and initiatives taking place for the organization.
Wilbanks will act as the Emcee of the day and Siloam Springs Mayor John Turner will be delivering a mayoral proclamation, Wilbanks said. The program begins at 10 a.m. and will last about an hour and a half, but the building will be open until 4 p.m. and there will be hotdogs, hamburgers and birthday cake available for all who are interested in attending.
Post 29 will also be celebrating its own 100 year anniversary in July, where another celebratory event will take place, but details have not yet been released, Wilbanks said. The American Legion was federally chartered on Sept. 16, 1919, following World War I, and over the years it has gained widespread support across the country as a civic organization focused on supporting veterans and their families, according to a Post 29 press release.
Locally, Post 29 participants include its members, Auxiliary Unit 29, the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Riders, the release states. The organization also assists in various capacities with Boys and Girls State, the American Legion Baseball Players, Oratorical Winners as well as various military personnel and their families.
As previously mentioned, Saturday's event will take place at the American Legion Community Hall, also known as the Community Building, which is located at 110 N. Mt. Olive St. For more information, contact Post 29 Commander Jim Wilbanks at 850-520-0225.
General News on 03/13/2019