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Veterans march through Harrisburg to celebrate American Legion 100th anniversary

Patriot-News - 7/15/2018

July 14--HARRISBURG -- "We're not just a bar."

That's what Paul Kennedy wants people to know about the Pennsylvania American Legion.

While American Legion neighborhood bars may be familiar sites to residents, members of the Legion work behind the scenes every day to help secure financial, medical, housing help and more for veterans and their families, said Kennedy, the department commander.

Pennsylvania Legionnaires celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first Legion post Saturday with a parade and festival in downtown Harrisburg. The events were part of the Pennsylvania American Legion's annual conference in Harrisburg that attracted members from across the state.

The parade started on City Island at 1 p.m. and continued down Market Street to Second Street, North Street and then Front Street, ending in Riverfront Park. It featured 200 "Legion Riders," on motorcycles with flags representing most of the 50 states, hundreds of marchers and two bands to celebrate the work on the American Legion and the sacrifice by veterans.

After the parade, Legionnaires gathered in the park for a ceremony at 4 p.m., then entertainment by a band until 8 p.m.

Some of the issues discussed at this year's conference included how to grow membership and bring in younger veterans who may need help and not know where to turn, said Phil Campbell, a regional director from Chambersburg.

Post-traumatic stress disorder remains a big problem among veterans, Campbell said.

The Legion was formed in 1919 to support veterans and help them integrate back into civilian life after serving their country.

Last year alone, the group helped channel $52 million in federal Veteran Affairs benefits to veterans in the Commonwealth.

"We're the No. 1 representative for VA claims," said Kristen Dagenhart-Smith, executive secretary. "And we do it for free."

The group helped to push for the creation of veteran hospitals in the 1920s and the GI bill in the 1940s to help veterans attend college. Now the group helps veterans navigate the bureaucracy of the VA and sponsors numerous programs for children and youth.

Leszek Wegrzynowicz, who emigrated from Poland in 1969 at age 18 and later joined the Marines, said he signed up for the American Legion this year with a desire to give back and help other veterans.

"I know what it's like," he said.

Pennsylvania has the most Legion posts of any other state at 730, officials said, and 140,000 members.

The group even added a new Legion post this year in the Allegheney County area, when a new post hadn't been created in about 15 years.

Pennsylvania also boasts the largest Legion baseball league with 10,000 middle and high-school students playing.

"I think this year's event went really well," Kennedy said. "It brings attention to the Legion and what we're really about."

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(c)2018 The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, Pa.)

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