Mayor James Donchess proclaimed Sept. 16, 2019 as American Legion Day during an open house Saturday at the James E. Coffey Post 3, in Nashua.
The presentation of the proclamation culminated both the American Legion’s centennial celebration, and the 100th anniversary of the chartering of Post 3. at the post home on 11 Court Street in Nashua.
Post 3, chartered on July 1, 1919 after the conclusion of World War I, currently numbers over 300 members including those in the affiliated American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion.
The American Legion has its beginnings in Paris the middle of March 1919, following the end of World War I. The American Legion was chartered by Congress on Sept. 16, 1919, and soon was an influential force at the national, state and local levels of government, serving veterans, while promoting a strong national defense, youth and patriotism, which are the pillars of The American Legion.
A year after it was formed, The American Legion had chartered more than 5,400 local posts that continue to operate today. Since then it has grown to more than 13,000 posts around the world, and more than 2.2 million wartime-veteran members. Today, The American Legion has nearly 3,000 accredited service officers worldwide who assist veterans with their benefits claims and other concerns.
Post 3 Commander John York noted, “Now that the eligibility requirements for veterans have been changed to include the period from December 7, 1941 to the present day, any veteran, whether serving in a combat zone or not, is now eligible to become a member of the American Legion.”
