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Fairfield’s American Legion post donates $50K to Operation Lakeshore

Printed today in The Birmingham News:

American Legion Post 137 in Fairfield has just 155 members and runs public bingo twice a week.

The paper cards cost a dollar apiece, and the small jackpots each night total about $1,750.

But large deeds can grow from small gifts.

Next week the post will donate $50,000 to Operation Lakeshore for naming rights to a duplex being built on the campus of Lakeshore Foundation in Homewood.

The duplex is one of 10 new homes called The Cottages of Lakeshore. After opening next month they will offer free lodging for injured veterans and their families who come for a Lima Foxtrot program at Lakeshore that teaches active and independent living — despite paralysis, blindness, amputation or other service injury.

“We figured we couldn’t afford not to do it,” said Roy Gallups, commander of the Fairfield post. “When it was brought to the floor, it was a unanimous decision to do that for veterans.”

Members of the American Legion post were swayed by a video that featured Noah Galloway, a double-amputee 101st Airborne veteran from Alabaster, and by a story about the cottages in The Birmingham News.

Gallups said the gift fits one of the main missions of the American Legion — veterans rehabilitation. Other missions of the nonprofit organization for veterans who have served in the military during times of war are Americanism, such as the civics learned in Legion-sponsored Boys State and Girls State; child welfare, including youth baseball; and national security.

“Our commander wanted to do something that would be a lasting reflection of everyone who has gone before us in the post,” said post adjutant James Mosier. “It’s the largest gift we’ve ever attempted to accomplish.”

The cottages are a $2.3 million charitable effort organized by Birmingham’s Capstone Companies and supported by more than 90 companies and groups that have donated labor, materials and money. They fill a need for veterans and families who come to a Lima Foxtrot program — the chance to stay together as veterans learn how much they can accomplish physically.

Up to now, the 800 military service members who came to a Lima Foxtrot program stayed in dorms, while their families stayed elsewhere off campus.

This gift from the Fairfield American Legion pushes fundraising for the cottages past $2 million, with just $260,000 to go.

Operation Lakeshore is still offering several naming rights at the cottages, from benches to the naming of the entire community.

The gift from American Legion Post 137, founded in April 1932, is the second from a west Jefferson County veterans group. Last month the Veterans of Foreign Wars Bailey-Rogers Post in Bessemer gave $50,000.

The two posts have decided to share one duplex, and plaques on each front door will mark the donations.

Mosier said the American Legion gift fits the pledge that post members recite at the close of each monthly meeting: “Let service to the community, state and nation be ever a main objective of the American Legion and its members . . . (and) nothing shall swerve us from the path of justice, freedom and democracy.”

American Legion Post 137 can be contacted at (205) 788-1432‎ or www.legion.org.

In the news this week

There were two great pieces published by the North Jefferson News this week covering the Veterans Day events in the area:

• Mortimer Jordan honors area veterans

In a moving tribute on Monday, Mortimer Jordan High School’s career tech and FBLA programs sponsored a Veterans Day ceremony at the school. Several area veterans attended the event from all branches of the military.

On Monday, Corner High School hosted a Veterans Day ceremony. North Jefferson Middle School had a Veterans Day program on Tuesday.

• American Legion, VFW honor veterans in ceremony

Veterans were not forgotten Wednesday in north Jefferson County. American Legion Post 255 and VFW Post 10250 hosted the 15th annual Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday at the North Jefferson Veterans Memorial Park in Fultondale.

Applebee’s says “Thanks” this Veteran’s Day with free food

I love to see things like this and always make sure to give my business to places that support our troops and veterans. It looks like we’ll be hitting Applebee’s the next time we go out.

According to the Applebee’s website, this offer is “available during business hours on November 11, 2009 at participating Applebee’s. (Dine-in from limited menu only.) Beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service.”

Valid veteran and active duty identification accepted:

• U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card
• U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card
• Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
• Veterans Organization Card (i.e., American Legion and VFW)
• Photograph in uniform
• Wearing uniform

For more information and to see the dine-in menu, visit www.applebees.com/vetsday

(H/T: Karie @ Wife of a Wounded Marine)

Riders flocked to Legion’s Poker Run

Printed in this week’s North Jefferson News:

What sounded and felt like a small earthquake in Fultondale on Saturday was simply a group of men and women wanting to help others.

More than 200 motorcycles roared in to American Legion Post 255 in Fultondale to take part in the American Legion Riders 9/11 Poker Run.

This is the fifth year that American Legion District 21 has hosted the ride. Each of the six posts in the district takes turns heading up the event.

“This is in remembrance of the fallen police officers and firefighters on 9/11,” said Ron Slay, vice-commander of post 255 and commander of American Legion Riders of Post 255.

Proceeds of the ride benefit the Fultondale Police and Fire Departments.

On hand to receive plaques and recognition from Post 255 Commander Bill Steber and other officials were Fultondale Assistant Fire Chief Larry Adams and Gardendale Police Chief Mike Walker, along with other members of both departments.

Also on hand at the post Saturday were representatives from the Breast Cancer Foundation and representatives of Kendall Thomas, both of whom were taking up donations.

On Sunday, Walker attended a District 21 meeting at Post 255, where he received a $1,000 check for the Kendall Thomas foundation.

Kendall Thomas, a former softball player at Gardendale High School, has been diagnosed with leukemia.

“That’s what the Legion is, helping the community and helping people in need,” said Slay.

The riders stopped at the American Legion posts in Fairfield, Tarrant and Leeds, giving plaques to the police and fire chiefs there.

The group also picked up extra riders at every post before ending the ride at the Birmingham Race Course.

Slay thanks the dozens of sponsors, who donated more than $2,000 in cash and items for door prizes.