Community Service | American Legion

Sanderson HS JROTC Memorial Day Event

Raleigh, NC
May 23, 2025

Commander Jose Hernandez, Adjutant Anthony Bonapart, and John Maynard represented American Legion Raleigh Post 1 at the Sanderson High School JROTC Memorial Day event, which honored and remembered U.S. military personnel who lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
We would like to congratulate Lt. Col. Richard Smith and Master Sergeant Tyneka Howard. The cadets demonstrated exceptional professionalism during the ceremony, embodying the core values of the JROTC program, including leadership, discipline, and teamwork.

American Legion Raleigh Post 1

Raleigh North Carolina
5/19/2025

Commander Jose Hernandez and volunteers from Post 1, along with members of the surrounding community, worked hard to revitalize the property by removing debris, cleaning gutters, and trimming branches to enhance the property. Volunteers were encouraged to arrive at the post by 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 17. It’s inspiring to see teenagers from the community join us, working under the supervision of our devoted legionnaires to ensure a safe environment. We also took the opportunity to level an area behind the facility, preparing the grounds for a new storage shed. As a special thank you, all volunteers enjoyed lunch and the chance to connect with veterans, hearing their incredible stories of service around the world.

Thank you, volunteers, for coming together to create a lasting impact! Your involvement is invaluable and truly makes a difference.

American Legion Raleigh Post 1 Celebrates Valentines for Veterans

Raleigh North Carolina
2/13/2025

The office of Representative Deborah Ross recently delivered a heartwarming gift to American Legion Raleigh Post 1. Harris Creek Elementary School students poured their hearts into creating Valentine’s cards for veterans, each adorned with unique artwork that beautifully expresses their gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who served our nation.

In the accompanying photo, Iris Bonapart, a member of Unit One Auxiliary, proudly showcases the Valentine cards, inviting veterans to select one or more to take home or display in their offices.

This small gesture carries immense significance, allowing veterans to feel the appreciation and love of the younger generation. Members of the American Legion Raleigh Post 1 are genuinely touched by the heartfelt efforts of these children, who recognize and honor the sacrifices made by veterans.

We extend our gratitude to Deborah Ross and her staff for facilitating this meaningful connection between veterans and our country's future leaders. We encourage everyone to join in showing appreciation for those who have served our country.

American Legion Raleigh Post 1

Volunteers Lay Foundation for New Shed

6/17/2025

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Sergeant-at-Arms Mike Clement, 3rd Vice Commander Anna M. Fernandez, and Adjutant Anthony Bonapart, the foundation for our new storage shed is now successfully in place. Mike took the helm of this project, skillfully utilizing his expertise and tools to ensure everything was done right.

In the included photos, you can see Mike instructing Anna on how to operate and maneuver a tractor—an essential skill for our team. With the foundation laid, we are just days away from assembling the new storage shed, a crucial addition that will enhance our Post Home.

American Legion Raleigh Post 1 - Operation Mulch Sale - Photos and Press Release

American Legion Raleigh Post 1
Operation Mulch Sale
Delivery of New Shed

6/7/2025

Volunteers dedicated the day to loading cars and trucks with red mulch during the Operation Mulch Sale held at American Legion Raleigh Post 1. Legionnaires Angel Menendez, Brian Morgan, Anthony Bonapart, Mike Clement, and Commander Jose Hernandez did the heavy lifting to assist numerous customers from the local neighborhood who were eager to support the post by purchasing bags of mulch.

The volunteers also accepted the delivery of a new storage shed, generously provided by Lowe's. Mike Clement has been working to clear the area adjacent to the post home where the shed will be placed.

We want to extend our gratitude to Lowe's for donating the shed to our post.

NEWS RELEASE

American Legion Raleigh Post 1 Hosts Flag Raising Ceremony to Commemorate the first American Flag raised at the new post.

Sanderson High School Air Force JROTC

The American Legion Raleigh Post 1 and Unit One Auxiliary members came together for a momentous flag-raising ceremony, marking the inaugural raising of the American flag at the new post. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation as onlookers celebrated this significant milestone in the post’s history.

The Sanderson High School Air Force JROTC cadets successfully conducted the reveille ceremony, highlighting their dedication to excellence and reinforcing the school’s commitment to community engagement. This important event serves as a valuable opportunity for the cadets to connect with the community and exemplify the values of leadership and service that they strive to uphold.

Post-Level Oratorical Speech Contest

The post-level oratorical speech contest for American Legion Raleigh Post 1 and Post 540 occurred on February 8, 2025, at American Legion Raleigh Post 1.

Yoneka Trent, Chair of the District 11 Oratorical Contest, organized the contest.

Wake County Community Memorial Mile Walk

Adjutant Anthony Bonapart and Director-at-Large Jerry Mangum proudly joined the Wake County community for the Memorial Mile walk, a heartfelt tribute to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in our nation’s armed forces. This event commemorates their dedication and inspires us all to remember their bravery and commitment to our freedom.

Roseville Community Center Luncheon

Jerry Mangum plays a pivotal role as a Director-at-Large for American Legion Raleigh Post 1 and is also the founder and president of the Rolesville Veterans Group. Adjutant Anthony Bonapart and incoming First Vice Commander Angel Menendez attended a Military Appreciation luncheon that Jerry Mangum organized, highlighting the importance of honoring our veterans and their contributions.

The event occurred at the Rolesville Community Center, with the luncheon theme “Honoring Women Veterans.” The afternoon's highlight was the guest speaker, Tyneka Howard, a retired member of the US Air Force and an Air Force JROTC instructor at Sanderson High School. Tyneka was accompanied by JROTC cadets who posted and retired the colors during the ceremony.