Sons of The American Legion was created in 1932 as an organization within The American Legion. The S.A.L. is made up of men and boys of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States military and became eligible for membership in The American Legion. Together, members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, The Sons of The American Legion and The American Legion Riders make up what is known as The Legion Family. All four organizations place high importance on preserving our American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation's children, caring for veterans and their families, and perhaps most importantly, teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.
The Detachment of Georgia consists of approximately 5,000 members distributed between 87 Squadrons spread across the state of Georgia. These Squadrons support their veterans and their local communities through activities such as Blood Drives, Flag Education, Childhood Safety, Memorial Day and Veterans Day Ceremonies, Nursing Homes and Veterans Hospital visits,donations to Boy Scouts, Thanksgiving Day Baskets, Easter Egg Hunts and Christmas Parties for Special Children and ROTC participation and promotion.
Membership in the S.A.L. is open to all male descendants, adopted sons and stepsons of Veterans who served during war or times of military conflict. Since the eligibility age begins from date of birth, activities and programs of squadrons are determined by age groups within squadrons and the needs of the community. Just as each Legion post determines the extent of its service to the community, state, and nation, so each squadron is permitted flexibility in planning programs and activities to meet its own needs. The average age of an S.A.L. member is estimated at 33 years of age.
100,000 Georgia citizens line the streets to honor our fallen son
Killed in action the week before, the body of Sergeant First Class John C. Beale was returned to Falcon Field in Peachtree City, Georgia, just south of Atlanta, on June 11, 2009 .
The Henry County Police Department escorted the procession to the funeral home in McDonough , Georgia . A simple notice in local papers indicated the road route to be taken and the approximate time.
Nowadays one can be led to believe that America no longer respects honor and no longer honors sacrifice outside the military. Be it known that there are many places in this land where people still recognize the courage and impact of total self-sacrifice. Georgia remains one of those graceful places.
The video below is a short travelogue of that day's remarkable and painful journey.
Watch this if you wish to have some of your faith in people restored.
(Turn up the volume.) Moxie.nu
Submitted by Mark Wells, past Detachment Commander 2008-09 on 07/02/09
Army Sgt. 1st Class John C. Beale
39, of Riverdale, Ga.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 108th Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, Calhoun, Ga.; died June 4 near Kapisa, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device and small-arms fire. Also killed were Maj. Kevin M. Jenrette and Spc. Jeffrey W. Jordan.
