The American Legion is the nation’s largest veterans service organization advocating patriotism and honor across the United States. Chartered by Congress in 1919, the Legion promotes strong national security and continued devotion to the country’s servicemembers and veterans. In its early years, the organization was comprised of a small group of veterans from World War I but has grown into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the country today. Membership currently stands at nearly 2 million and more than 13,000 Legion posts exist worldwide.
Apex’s own is American Legion Post 124, and its history dates back to 1922. Commander Mike Sayers and vice commander Sandra Edens lead the post today, and are assisted by a dedicated group of men and women.
Sayers, who served in the Navy for four years, has led the post for over a decade. “In 2009, this post was down to five people,” he recalls, “but today I can honestly say we’ve got almost 200 members enrolled.” Ten percent are active, and both Sayers and Edens encourage more veterans, including younger ones, to join. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, members engaged regularly with the community, such as at Peak City Pig Fest in June, the Apex Music Festival in September and at various wreath-laying ceremonies. The post is happy to support Boy Scout troops in their projects, and also in organizing a raffle at Apex PeakFest (past prizes have included a cruise package and a flat screen TV), which funds youth scholarships. The post wants to expand its annual fall car show into a lively Oktoberfest and host a big chili cookoff with a corn hole tournament in 2021 (this year’s event was canceled due to COVID-19).
Their display of patriotism shines brightly, coupled with the thoughtfulness of American citizens. Along with several Eagle Scouts, members installed collection boxes in front of Apex fire stations and the C.C. Jones Building for people near and far to properly dispose of their worn-out American flags, which are destroyed in a flag retirement ceremony. “When they have served their life, we do a dignified flag burning with Fire Station #2,” Sayers explains. He is honored to collect the flags, which totaled 800 in August alone.
“I empty the collection box in front of the firehouse [on N. Salem Street] on average twice a month and, I mean, it is full… there are definitely a lot of flags,” he says.
The post also sponsors youth in the American Legion Oratorical Contest, which helps students in grades 9-12 develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution. Since 1938, the program has presented an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, and an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship.
Sayers and Edens speak of their admiration for Emma Louise Hall, a junior at Apex High School who recently won at the district and state levels. “She was going to nationals, and we think she had a really good chance there to win a scholarship,” Edens says.
Each state sends two contestants to the national competition, in which they deliver a prepared 10-minute speech about the Constitution followed by a five-minute speech about one of four Constitutional Amendments, which are known to the participants and drawn out of a hat. Contestants are judged on their mastery of the topics, the originality and organization of their speeches, and their public speaking skills. The overall national contest winner receives a $25,000 scholarship, second place takes home $22,500, and third gets $20,000.
“You’d be amazed in these kids,” Sayers says, reflecting on their knowledge of America’s supreme laws and guaranteed rights for its citizens. “I felt very strongly and everybody else that’s ever been to nationals that Emma would have won the national championship.” The contest, which was to be held this spring in Indianapolis, was canceled due to the pandemic.
Sayers would like to create an air rifle Junior Shooter program for young people to compete at the local, state and national levels. “Just about any program we have involves a scholarship,” he says.
Edens, who served in the Air Force for 20 years, agrees, “We try to do a lot for the kids. One of the projects we’re trying to reinvigorate is getting a course on Americanism back in the schools because a lot of it is just no longer taught.”
An advocacy group for veterans, the American Legion was recently able to offer membership to a greater number of them. A bipartisan bill passed by the Senate in 2019 provides veterans who have served their country since World War II access to Legion benefits and programs. Prior to the passing of the Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service Act – also known as the LEGION Act – veterans who were honorably discharged and who had served during times that were not officially recognized as periods of war by the U.S. government were unable to receive critical resources. The Legion, which is prevented from expanding membership eligibility without an act of Congress, can now welcome any servicemember who has served since 1939.
Because of the COVID-19, the post is unable to host is regular meetings at the C.C. Jones Building, which are normally held at 5:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month, excluding holidays. Members, who pay $35 in annual dues, enjoy a catered dinner, a guest speaker and event planning for Apex citizens. While a few meetings have been held online since the pandemic began, the post is yearning to reconnect in person and be flag bearers for the Apex Christmas Parade, one of their yearly traditions. Not allowing COVID-19 to break their spirit, representatives – wearing face masks and practicing social distancing – hosted wreath-laying ceremonies on Memorial Day and Patriots Day at the Apex Service Memorial on N. Salem St. Another ceremony will take place on Veterans Day.
Theodore Roosevelt Jr., who is widely considered to be the creator of the largest service group for U.S. veterans, famously declared, “No one man can claim to be the founder of the American Legion.” This vital organization has transformed life for countless military personnel and also established the GI Bill, which provides generous educational assistance to servicemembers, veterans and their dependents.
“I don’t regret anything I’m doing,” Sayers says about leading the town’s post. “It’s a big commitment and they said I’d get discouraged and quit, but I said ‘No, I won’t’. I’ve asked Sandra to learn everything she can so that in a couple of years, when it’s time for someone else to take over and serve the town well, I’ll hand it over to her.”
Words spoken by a man who clearly loves Apex – and his country.
For more information, visit ApexLegionPost124.org, Facebook.com/ApexLegionPost124, or call 919-345-3566.
