American Legion Post and Auxiliary install officers, recruit members

MADISON – Madison’s American Legion Post 229 and Unit 229 Auxiliary recently swore in officers for the 2021-2022 membership year.

Both the post and auxiliary follow active schedules of service in the community throughout the year.

Officers of Madison American Legion, Post 229 are Sergeant at Arms Brady Rogers, from left, 1st Vice Commander Jean Downs, Finance Officer Jeff Cuneo, Executive Committee Member Dan Marr, Post 229 Commander Larry Vannoy, 1st Division Commander Charles Marsh, Chaplain Andy Caudle and 2nd Vice President Tommy Whitten.

Former Department of Alabama President Vickie Mills visited Madison to install officers for Unit 229, American Legion Auxiliary. Incoming Auxiliary officers are President Jean Downs, Vice President/Secretary Terry Frakes and Treasurer Pam Rogers.

Post 229 hosts varied activities in Madison:

* Annual events – Posting wreaths and flags on veterans’ graves at Madison’s municipal cemeteries; hosting the Memorial Day Ceremony in the veterans park on Front Street; organizing programs to honor military personnel on Veterans Day.

* Flag retirements – Follows official procedures to take the U.S. flag out of service.

* Youth programs – Supports work of Junior ROTC in local high schools; honors work of Scouting organizations.

* Public participation – Marching in parades; sponsorship of American Legion Baseball; youth shooting programs.

* Teen patriotism – Sponsors teenagers to attend Boys State and Girls State.

“In addition to these activities, both the Post and Auxiliary put their primary focus on providing support to veterans and their families in our community,” Downs said. For more activity information, visit Facebook/American Legion Post 229, Madison, Alabama.

“Membership in the American Legion is open to all veterans, regardless of time of service, or participation in a time of war,” Downs said. “We’re starting our new membership year in July.”

For the American Legion Auxiliary, membership in is open to grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses and direct and adopted female descendants of American Legion members. Others who also qualify are grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses and direct and adopted female descendants of all men and women who honorably served their county.

In addition, women who of their own right are eligible for membership in the American Legion, and spouses of female veterans, can join the Auxiliary.

Post 229 and the Auxiliary meet monthly on second Thursdays. The Auxiliary opens meetings at 5:30 p.m. and then hosts a social time for Post members at 6:30 p.m. before their meeting at 7 p.m. Most meetings are held at Lunar Lodge on Eastview Drive in Madison, but venues do change occasionally.

In July, the membership meeting will be held at the veteran-owned Black Patch Distillery, 500 Lanier Road in Madison. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. “New members and all veterans are welcome to join us,” Downs said.

For more information, call 256-929-8450, email ALAUX229@yahoo.com or leave a message on Facebook.