The American Legion is the world’s largest veterans organization, made up of men and women who have served in the U.S. military during an official period of conflict. Through dedicated volunteers, we focus on veteran’s rehabilitation, patriotism, child welfare, and national security.
The American Legion Cecil Cox Post 147, based in Clovis, California, was originally named after the first Clovis serviceman to be killed during the war. The Clovis post was chartered March 3, 1921. Cecil Cox Post 147 sponsors the California Boy’s State, Youth Environmental Leadership Conference, Boy Scouts of America, American Legion Baseball, Central California Veterans Home, Operation Comfort warrior, Fresno Veterans Hospital, Golden Age Games and more.
Cecil Cox Post 147 also honors Memorial Day by co-sponsoring a memorial service with the Veterans of Foreign Wars at the Clovis cemetery on Villa Ave.
Commander’s Message
Greetings Legionnaires,
With our officer and executive committee in place for 2021-2022, we should now, still with some caution, start returning to business at hand and doing what we do best–”Support out veterans, their families and our community.
There is so much to get back on track. We need your participation and increased volunteering to be able to move forward and “back to normal”.
We began this years activities at the Clovis Rodeo, where we managed a small but still significant financial return. We then turned focus to our 7th Annual Veterans Memorial Day Golf Tournament. This tournament was quite fun for everyone and successful as well. 125 golfers participated, aided by many volunteers, and culminating in our ability to donate $20,000.00 to the VA veterans services, which, in turn, supports other VA programs such as recreational mental health programs, veterans transportation, caregiver support, walk of honor, veteran outreach, wheelchair games, chaplain services and so much more. Other veterans service organizations (VFW, AmVets, Central Valley Veterans, Honor Flight, Blue Star Moms, etc.) also received small supportive donations.
We ventured in firework sales as a fundraising opportunity this year. This, too, was very successful and met our expectations by netting over $17,000.00 for our efforts. These funds will go toward supporting our post operations as time goes on.
Finally, we get back to business in September with many plans on the agenda to include, but not limited to, restarting all of our previous programs and standing committees such as Americanism, mentoring and welcoming new members, membership (which includes recruiting and retention), rodeo, golf, fireworks as well as several other important programs.
It won’t be all work, however, as we have some fun events in the planning as well. Events such as our monthly social dinners, Christmas Party, Awards dinner and volunteer appreciation dinners, for instance, are being planned. We have an activities team that is planning to host some fun events and are seeking your input for events, places and ideas on what we can do for fun.
Putting these programs and events in to action requires participation and volunteers as service to others and I strongly encourage every one of you to give some time to our programs, committees and gatherings. Volunteering is an essential part of continuing success for our post.
Our continued focus will be on training our post members so that we may become even better at what we do.
I sincerely look forward to seeing everyone and working with each of you on the many programs as you all become more involved in keeping our post active, engaged and noticed within our community. I truly hope for an increased level of participation from all members. I only ask you to help as much as you can, when and where you can.
Respectfully
Chris Hoffman
Commander
