On November 7th Sixteen men and women gathered at the American Legion for the annual photo. They represent decades of service to the country, having served in such places as Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
“Since 1937 35, World War One veteran’s obtained to the American Legion charter for our post. And we’ve been active ever since.”
For 85 years the American Legion has stood in Haines. Chuck Mittman is the latest Commander of Lynn Canal Post 12 and as Veteran’s day approaches, he shared the mission of the nonprofit organization.
“The American Legion mission, we go by the four pillars we have. And of course, the first is to help veterans with veteran affairs, etc. To help youth and children is another second pillar to promote Americanism is our third pillar. And to do our best to keep national security as our fourth pillar.”
With about 300 veterans living in Haines, against a peak population of around 2500, the town boasts a very high per capita amount of veterans. As part of the Legion’s mission to aid the community, it has recently donated to the Haines school girl basketball team for uniforms, provided funds to assist disaster relief during the flooding in western Alaska this year, helped the Haines Hotshots during the pandemic, and regularly provides scholarships to Haines graduates. From small to large, the Legion serves the community.
“let’s say we got a veteran that needs wood, firewood, you know, we’ll do that we’ve contributed to the ministerial Association… to assisting the Salvation Army, I mean, this place was also is also a safe haven a gathering place in disasters, which we were front and center when we had the December 2, disaster and 2020. We’re also a tsunami muster station. So and we have cots and sleeping bags prepared and food and use our kitchen. We anything and everything that we could do we do.”
The American Legion will be hosting a prime rib dinner Friday night. For more info contact the Legion at 907-766-2530. Part two of this story will air on KHNS Friday night at 5:50pm.
