About Raleigh Post #1

2008 Officers

Commander	Anthony B. Bonapart	Bio
Adjutant	Harold Barndt	Bio
Chaplain	Charles Birdsong	Bio
Judge Advocate	Mike Clement	Bio
1st Vice Commander	Gerald Padden	Bio
2nd Vice Commander	George House	Bio
3rd Vice Commander	Ernest Charles	Bio
Service Officer	Kenneth Kempf	Bio
Sergeant-At-Arms	Nicholas Jones	Bio
Finance Officer	Paul West	Bio
Historian	Anthony Ray	Bio
Director-At-Large	Ryland Collins	Bio
Director-At-Large	Joseph Tobert	Bio
Director-At-Large	David Toothaker	Bio

Public Services We Perform

Letter Sent To Mayor Charles Meeker. On August 18, 2007, the News and Observer printed the article, "VA Clinic tough to find without signs" by Jesse James DeConto. This article discusses a World War II Veteran named Herbert Reichlin, who spent an hour one day trying to find the Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic located at 3305 Sungate Blvd here in Raleigh. In addition, the article discussed Reichlin’s frustration because there are no signs to direct him to the clinic from Sunnybrook Road. This article was brought to the attention of the American Legion Post One and on October 3, 2007, Commander Bonapart sent a letter to Mayor Charles Meeker of Raleigh. The letter urged Mayor Meeker to place a directional sign at the intersection of Sunnybrook and Sungate to help veterans navigate their way to the Raleigh VA Clinic.

Veterans Day Parade: We want to salute Charles Kelley and David Toothaker for all the hard work they did to support the annual State Veterans Day Parade, which was held on November 10, 2007. The parade was a huge success for Post One and our participation in the event is coordinated every year by Charles Kelley and David Toothaker. In addition, we want to thank Unit One Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and everyone who helped our Post form a Color Guard to march in the parade or drive a vehicle. We are looking forward to an even bigger and better parade year next year.

Oakwood Cemetery Rededication: Post One members Bob Rinn and Harry Harris volunteered their services to set up a public address system in support of a Civil War Rededication Service that was held September 23, 2007 at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh NC. They utilized the Post One sound system for the event and used their expertise in electronics to overcome some logistical problems. First, the systems would have to be placed on a slope, which forced some modifications to the equipment and additional sound-amplification was also needed because of the large area needed to be "covered" on the hillside. They encountered additional problems transporting the equipment up the steep and bumpy hillside. In the end the audience received sound of exceptional quality and Bob and Harry received numerous accolades for their service. Their actions symbolize what it means to be a legionnaire and brought much recognition to themselves and The American Legion Post One.

Flags for Memorial Day Ceremony: Post One hosts a Memorial Day ceremony every year at the Raleigh National Cemetery. Flags are used to decorate the cemetery and we are looking for serviceable flags that are 5’ X 9 1/2’ (Casket Size). If you have a flag that you can donate please bring or mail it to Post One. Please label it DONATION for Memorial Day. American Legion Post 1, 3600 Lee Road, Raleigh, NC 27604

Job Fair: On February 28, 2008, Gerald Padden and Ernest Charles represented Post One at a Veterans Job Fair at Carter Finley Stadium. We want to thank them for the outstanding support they continue to show our veterans and representing The American Legion Post One at these events.

Special Grant Recipients: On January 10, 2008 Joseph Phinizy and Mary Patterson were each presented a $500.00 grant by Commander Bonapart. The grant was sponsored by the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes and veterans who incurred a 30-percent or more disability while serving in the theater of operations during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom was eligible for a $500 grant. Congratulations to veterans Phinizy and Patterson for their outstanding service to God and Country.