San Diego District 22 Family Day 2019 (Photo by Mitch Viquez /The American Legion)
This year, American Legion Family Day falls on April 27. This annual event encourages Legion posts nationwide to open their doors to their communities, extending a warm welcome to all, as they gather to honor and celebrate the achievements of Legionnaires, Sons of The American Legion members, Legion Riders, and American Legion Auxiliary members.
To maximize outreach and participation, American Legion posts are encouraged to promote their Legion Family Day events through local media channels. SAL National Commander Don “JR” Hall encourages Legion posts to participate and share their event and message with local media.
“Get your local press to promote American Legion Family Day in advance and invite them to cover your event.” said Hall. “We need to let the community know we are here to support them in addition to the Veterans and their families.”
A press release template is made available to assist posts in effectively communicating event details to local media outlets. Additionally, by customizing and disseminating the template, posts can reach out to their communities and invite them to participate in the day’s festivities.
While the specific activities may vary from one post to another, the overarching spirit of Legion Family Day remains consistent – a day of camaraderie, appreciation, and community engagement. Whether through cookouts, blood drives, dinners, or other events, Legion posts create meaningful connections and foster a sense of belonging within their local community.
“No two posts will do it the same,” said Hall. “Some may have cookouts, welcoming the community to come in and visit the post. Others may have blood drives, dinners, or other events within their communities.
Legion Family Day also serves as a platform to raise awareness about the organization’s important mission, “Be the One,” aimed at reducing the rate of Veterans lost to suicide and breaking the stigma surrounding seeking help. By fostering an inclusive environment and engaging with the wider community, the American Legion showcases its commitment to supporting not only Veterans and their families but also the broader community.
The establishment of Legion Family Day was formalized through Resolution No. 7, adopted by the National Executive Committee during its Fall Meeting in October 2022. This resolution designates the last Saturday of April each year as a day dedicated to celebrating Legion Family and contributions to the community.
Legionnaires can share their event details and experiences on Legiontown.org.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
