May 2025 has been a busy month for members of the John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68! Kudos and thanks to all the members who contributed their time and effort to ensuring the success of our events!
A SUCCESSFUL VEAC. The 7th annual Veterans Experience Action Center (VEAC) held at the National Guard Armory in Wilmington on May 8 – 10 was an overwhelming success. American Legion Post 68 Leland was one of several area Legion Posts to provide significant manpower in ensuring the event’s success. Over the three-day period, VA claims specialists and Veterans Service Officers from local veterans organizations helped initiate, process, and adjudicate disability claims for over 800 veterans – the largest outcome since the event has been held in Wilmington. Due to time limitations, an additional 100 veterans could not be served onsite and were slotted for service by VA raters over the next several weeks. Wilmington area veterans and veterans from several states, as far away as Texas and New York, participated in the event.
JROTC PRESENTATION TO POST 68. At the general membership meeting of the John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 on May 15th, members of the North Brunswick High School (NBHS) JROTC Air Rifle Team and Senior Army Instructor, Colonel Steven Baker, US Army Retired, presented a framed Certificate of Appreciation to Post 68. The Post has been an ardent supporter of the NBHS JROTC for over a decade. Accepting the expression of appreciation on behalf of Post 68 were Dale Todd, Parliamentarian, and Jim McAvoy, Chaplain.
BOYS & GIRLS STATE RECOGNITION. At the NBHS graduation program on May 19th, Post 68 member Jim McAvoy presented Grey Honor Cords to recognize graduating JROTC cadets who had attended the 2024 Boys State and Girls State programs. The programs are designed and conducted to provide competitively selected cadets with an opportunity to learn about the political process. Students learn about responsible citizenship, leadership, and government during the weeklong program. Assigned to mock cities and either the “Federalist Party” or “Nationalist Party,” they operate at all city and state government levels and actively run a mock government. In doing so, they learn how to build coalitions, navigate disagreements, and think independently. Graduating senior cadets receiving their Honor Cords were Anthony Everett-Sloan, Ian Beattie, and Valeria Alvarado.
NATIONAL POPPY DAY. On Friday, May 23rd, National Poppy Day, Post 68 members were on hand at Ace Hardware, Lowes Home Improvement, and Whistle Express Car Wash in Leland to hand out poppies to local residents. The poppy symbolically recognizes all who have died in service to our country during war. Since the end of World War I, the red poppy has been the nationally recognized symbol to remind Americans of the sacrifices made by our service men and women while protecting our freedoms.
MEMORIAL DAY FLAG PLACEMENTS. On Saturday, May 24th, Post 68 visited several Leland area cemeteries to place flags at the gravesites of area veterans. During this year’s annual event, members placed several hundred American flags at local veterans’ gravesites.