Serving Generations of Heroes

San Francisco Legion Post 911

American Legion Post 911 has delivered our message in the Legion of the 21st century.  Our private sector advisors, mature veterans and mentors we work side by side on a daily basis -- humble, train and sustain us. We know that we stand in the shadow of greater generations of veterans that saved the world for a century.  Our friends, the mature veterans give us daily guidance, advice, and mentorship which help us navigate these troubling times in our great nation’s treatment of veterans.

Many have asked why we started Post 911 rather than join an established Post. We did so after being shut out of three Posts and the District leaders. Vietnam Veterans suffered a similar greeting. Thus was born the Generations of Heroes Post 911 in San Francisco, California.  Upon hearing our story, The Department of California and then Department Commander, Howard Darter, approved out charter in an amazing ten days.  Post 911 now has over 400 members representing every era of conflict from World War II to present.  Our success in Post 911 is directly attributable to the advice and guidance we have received from mature Veterans and Legionnaires from Post 911 and Posts across California.

Post 911 has pioneered California American Legion Soccer (CALS) with the Department of California.  Historically, athletics have been a large part of one of our pillars our American Legion - Mentoring Youth.  As more Legionnaires across the state have observed and data suggest, more youth in California are playing soccer; a wholesome, cross generational, inexpensive sport for both boys and girls.  Youth Athletics is not only a strong developmental and character building tool; it also puts our youth on a path of exercise and proper diet.  In the last three decades, the obesity rate for children has tripled to 16%.  Having recently come back from fighting our Nations enemies, Post 911 is fighting for our children’s health.  We would like to give special thanks to our friends and mentors Past National Commander Bruce Thiesen, Past National Vice Commander Leo Burke, NEC Man Fred Walton, and Past Department Commanders Floyd Martin, Howard Darter, Dave Eby and so many others for their help in passing this resolution in the 91st American Legion Department of California Convention in Riverside, CA.  We look forward to introducing American Legion Soccer here at the National Convention in August. 

The secret of our Legion Post [911] is no secret at all

The first priority of the Post is provide educational, medical, and vocational support and assistance to veterans and their families; combined with our outreach to veterans and their families.  Every generation of veterans, to include our surge of Vietnam era veteran has supported Post 911 in immeasurable ways.  What many of you have learned is that Post 911’s success is rooted in our model. We pair young and mature veterans, with ALA & SAL support, into every position, project, program, task, and every facet of the Post . While respecting these unique entities, this model integrating Sons Squadron and the Auxiliary Unit is a tested, sustainable and full spectrum model.

Post 911 could not do its job to the best of our abilities if we did not have the continued advice of veterans who have carried the torch of the American Legion before me.  We will not fail in the tasks that have been set before us.  Mission success will be achieved by working our Legion Post 911 model of merging veterans of all generations in all areas of the Post’s operation. 

Change is inevitable. Survival is optional. In the most unlikely city in America, San Francisco’s District 8 has gone from last to first in membership in less than 10 months in the toughest veterans market in the country.