2019 is the 100^th anniversary of the American Legion.  Post 26 was chartered on August 7^th, 1919 and is also celebrating its’ 100^th anniversary.  Additionally 2019 will be the 100^th Veterans Day Parade hosted by Post 26 and 2019 will be the 100^th anniversary of the Post 26 Christmas “Food Baskets for Veterans”.

In 1924 Unit 26 of the American Legion Auxiliary was charted and, to this day, it continues to support Post 26 and the Bakersfield community.  They support the Post with setting the room up and taking care of the ticket sales for meals and events hosted by the Post. 

In the early 70’s the Post moved into its’ current location at 2020 H. St. The larger facility has allowed the Post to support multiple veteran and community activities directly and indirectly.  All revenues generated by the Post (meals, hall rentals, etc.) are used to directly and indirectly to support Veterans and to support the Bakersfield community.  This includes, but are not limited to; free meals for veterans, household items for homeless veterans transitioning into housing, clothing for eligible veterans, food baskets, and funeral escorts.  Community support, spearheaded by the American Legion Auxiliary, include a Christmas Party with Santa where children in the Head Start program are fed, entertained, and given toys.  School supplies are gathered and distributed to teachers for their students. A Cub Scout Pack and a Boy Scout Troop are sponsored by the Post.  The Veterans Day Parade is organized and presented by the Post and community volunteers.  The Post provides the facility and serves breakfast every month for the Honor Flight. 

The Post (for the boys) and the Auxiliary (for the girls) raises the funds, interview high school juniors (recommended by their councilors), and escorts those selected to Sacramento for Boys State and Claremont for Girls State. This year the Post is sending 8 young men and the Auxiliary is sending 11 young ladies.

Due to the size of the Post, the size of the main hall and the central location of Bakersfield, Post 26 is continually asked to host American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary activities.  The Post has hosted several Department Conventions, several DEC meetings, Area Meetings, District Meetings, National Commander meet-n-greets and multiple fund-raisers for things like the Erskine Fire and Texas hurricane as well as Honor flight breakfasts. 

The focus today, as in 1919, of Post 26 is to support all veterans and to be an asset to the community.