American Legion Post 710 in San Bernardino is undergoing a revitalization effort to modernize the 80-year-old post, grow membership, and create a stronger gathering place for Veterans, families, and the local community.

The post, located at 2181 W Highland Ave., has long been part of San Bernardino’s Black Veteran community. Now, its leaders are working to restore pride in the building while making it more welcoming for younger Veterans, longtime members, and residents who may not know what the American Legion can provide.

“At the heart of this project is our commitment to creating a better home for our comrades, a place where veterans can connect, find support, and build community,” Post 710 Commander Felicia Ponder said.

She noted the revitalization is also tied to retention and changing how people view the post. Ponder said the building had been in decline, and improving it was necessary to attract new members while making current members feel proud of their space.

The work includes remodeling the interior, updating gathering areas, and improving the overall look of the property. The post has redone the bar area, created a lounge space, and brought in legacy photos connected to the Buffalo Soldiers and Tuskegee Airmen.

The updates are meant to honor the post’s history while creating a place where people want to spend time.

Post 710, which owns the 1.3 acre property it calls home, has also been selected for an Edison electric vehicle charging program that will bring 10 EV charging stations to the property. The project is expected to include new paving, gating, lighting, and security.

Cynthia James, Post 710’s Community Support Coordinator, said some of the largest remaining needs are patio and facade renovations. The post is hoping to partner with Lowe’s, Home Depot, or another supporter to help fund that work.

“We want to improve our our curb appeal and have a facility to reflect the pride, professionalism, and service of our organization while attracting new members and encouraging younger veterans to become part of Post 710,” James said.

James is also helping lead several new outreach efforts. One of them is RED Friday, a weekly show of support for deployed Service Members. She said the effort has not been widely promoted in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, but Post 710 wants to help change that.

“This initiative allows us to serve our veterans while extending support to military families and members of the community whose loved ones are deployed,” James said.

The post plans to hold Red Friday events beginning in August. Gatherings are expected to include live music on the patio and all-American food, with proceeds going towards creating care packages for deployed Service Members.

James said the post plans to host VA disability clinics for area Veterans—not just those at Post 710—who need help with claims, as well.

Another planned program is to train children with special needs in the kitchen. The program would work with the SBCUSD school district to bring children in for two-hour training sessions in customer service, taking orders, working registers, and food handling.

James said children with special needs are often “not given the same opportunity as their peers,” and the post wants to help give them real training with patient support.

Post 710 is also planning mental health awareness days before the end of the year. James said the post is in talks with community supporters who want to use the facility as a place to serve local Veterans and residents.

For Ponder, the revitalization is part of a larger vision for Post 710. She wants the post to become more visible, more active, and better connected to the Veterans and families it serves.

“We’re going to turn it around and we’re going to be nationally known,” Ponder said.

The revitalization of Post 710 is about more than repairs. It is a push to make Veterans feel seen, bring younger members into the American Legion, and create a place where the post’s history continues through new service.

“Our goal is to just, you know, create a place where service continues long after the uniform comes off,” James said.

Author: Rikki Almanza

Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.