From the Commander,

“He is a peculiar soldier, product of a peculiar country. His two outstanding characteristics seem to be contradictory. He is more of an individualist than soldiers of other nations, and at the same time he is far more conscious of, and dependent on, teamwork. He fights as he lives, a part of a vast, complicated machine—but a thinking, deciding part, not an inert cog.”   - Time Magazine Jan. 1951

Greetings Legionnaires, Ladies and Sons of the American Legion,

     As another year of serving in the position of Commander at Post 67 comes to a close, I want to thank all of you who have made my time as Post Commander such an amazing journey.  There have been set-backs, complications, sadness, but also tremendous achievements. Through all of these, your tireless support of this Legion Post has been amazing.  Since we have overcome most of our obstacles, I am going to focus on all the positives.

     This year has been full of achievements for the Post.  We celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the American Legion as a national organization, but also the 100^th anniversary of our Post, celebrating the positive impact that Post 67 has had on Versailles and Woodford County.  Through our support of local veterans, school programs, senior citizen activities, the Woodford County Fair and Fireworks display, Annual Easter Egg Hunt, we’ve shown that we are an organization to be embraced.  In a splendid display, the Versailles City Council and Mayor Brian Traugott did just that—proclaiming December 20^th would be American Legion Post 67 Day.  Our Post was well represented by several members of our Executive Board, as I was called out-of-town for my full-time job.  They have my heartfelt thanks for answering the call in my unavoidable absence.

 Through your tremendous support, we’ve been able to update the Bingo equipment and have seen our participants increase over the last few years.  We’ve added a new juke box, pool table, electronic pull tabs, Texas Hold’Em tournaments, and convenience improvements like the ATM, the ability to take credit cards and security cameras.  I’m so very proud to have been a part of all these improvements and know it could not have been done without the incredible people at this Post.

As most of you know, I am leaving the position of Commander at the end of this term.  The memories I have as Post Commander and what I have learned will stay with me always.  Fear not, however.  My time isn’t completely at an end.  I am committed to serving on the Executive Committee to help a new commander transition into their role.  As always, I encourage all Legionnaires to heed the call and volunteer your service to the Post.  I have no doubt that our new leadership will be excellent, and I look forward to being a part of that team.  I appreciate and am thankful to you all.  But I’m especially thankful for Jim Woodrum. When I became Commander, it was Jim who helped me navigate the role.  His perspective and advice were invaluable during that first critical year.  Our post is not the same without him, but his legacy will always remain.  Here’s to you my brother.  Until we meet again.

Lonnie Estes

American Legion Post 67 Commander

commander@americanlegionky67.com