American Legion Post 1982 Centennial Celebration 2019

The American Legion was founded on March 15, 1919 in Paris, France. In celebration of its 100th anniversary, Ansbach Post 1982 hosted an open house on Saturday, March 16, 2019. The event was open to the public. Cadet/CPT Caison Duplessie served as the narrator. The Ansbach U.S. Army Garrison Commander, Col. Steven M. Pierce, shared cake cutting duties with Post Commander, Ms. Susan Houston, and former commander, Mr. Kenneth Aungst. The 9th JROTC Battalion and Ansbach Middle High School students provided entertainment which included historic readings, WWI era songs and dancing, and period costumes. Cadets shared the stories of food conservation during the war as well as the individual stories of Helen Dore Boylson, a Red Cross nurse; Navy Chief Gunner’s Mate John Henry “Dick” Turpin, an African-American sailor and Master Diver; Lieutenant Commander Edouard Izac, a Medal of Honor recipient; and Corporal Eugene Jacques Bullard, an American aviator flying for the French. They also danced to the “Baby Tank Foxtrot” and sang along to “Over There” and “I Don’t Know Where I’m Going, But I’m on My Way.” The post also had a display area showing American Legion programs and how they support in the local community. Programs include processing claims for Veterans, sending students to Boys and Girls State, the annual Oratorical Contest, 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemorative Partner with DoD, and Junior Shooting Sports Team.