The American Legion in Chinook turns 100
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For the past year, The American Legion has been celebrating the fact that it has been around for 100 years. The centennial began at the National Convention in 2018 in Minneapolis, MN and concluded at the National Convention in Indianapolis, IN in 2019. 0n March 17th the American Legion turned 100. The American Legion of Montana turned 100 on August 1st. The National American Legion Auxiliary came into existence on November 10, 1919. Blaine Post 48 in Chinook, MT will turn 100 on November 25th.
The American Legion was founded with four main ideals or pillars being presented. They are a strong National Defense, Care of our veterans, Children and Youth, and Americanism. Over the years, The American Legion has adopted many programs that fall under the four pillars. We work to ensure that our veterans are taken care of and that our youth are educated in the Constitution of the United States and on taking care of our Flag.
The American Legion Auxiliary was founded to support veterans. Founded in 1919, the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) mission was to support The American Legion and honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of veterans, military, and their families. The ALA had formed 1,342 units in 45 states by the end of their first year. Blaine Unit 48 has had several charters over the years but the last time was on January 1, 2005.
The final part of the American Legion family in Chinook is the Sons of the American Legion (SAL). The SAL will be turning 50 next year. The Blaine Squadron 48 in Chinook has only been around for 10 years. The SAL was formed to assist the American Legion in all of its programs.
Blaine Post 48 participates in several of the programs of the American Legion. We sponsor junior boys for American Legion Boys State, The Oratorical Scholarship Contest, The Highway Fatality Marker Program, and the Government Survey and Essay Contest. We also assist in providing programs for Veterans Day and Memorial Day. SAL Squadron 48 assists the post in the programs they run. Blaine Unit 48 sends girls to ALA Girls State and participates in the Auxiliary Americanism Essay Contest. This year the Auxiliary will participate in the Education Program by giving an award to a youth in our community called the Youth Hero and Good Deed Award.
On November 2, 2019, The American Legion Family in Chinook would like to invite everyone to come and join us as we celebrate our centennial and recognize several members that have been a part of our post for more than 40 years to include two that have been part of the post for over 70 years. We are planning a ham dinner and a short program to honor our past accomplishments for both the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary. We will begin our festivities at 11 a.m. in the basement of the American Lutheran Church in Chinook. Dinner will be served at Noon, and we will have door prizes and a trivia contest to see how much you know about the American Legion family.
We will also have a birthday cake honoring both the American Legion Post and the Auxiliary. Please RSVP to Commander Lowell Long or President Kathryn Long at Blaine Post 48, P.O. Box 11, Chinook, MT or call 357-2387 or 945-4209 to let us know how many will be coming.
You can also reach Lowell at crazymarinevet@outlook.com. Please join us for food, fellowship, and many door prizes and help us to celebrate our first 100 years.
