Meet Us
We are a local, veteran services and community support organization, made up of U.S. military veterans, their families and non-veteran community members. We are a recognized fixture in the Old Mission community, dating back to 1962, although the meeting hall itself is known to have existed since 1898.
American Legion – A Strong History
Founded in 1919, the American Legion is a not-for-profit organization whose membership is composed of wartime veterans. The organization provides assistance to veterans and their families through various programs and activities. Its purpose is to ensure that all veterans receive the necessary support.
In addition to helping veterans, the American Legion also carries out activities that are important to the community at large. For instance, it offers financial assistance to veterans and their families, including college scholarships and employment opportunities. It also organizes commemorative events and helps in the creation of memorials. In addition, the organization supports issues that impact the Four Pillars of Freedom, including those related to veterans, the environment, education and government.
American Legion has more than 13,000 posts in nearly every community in the United States. The organization is active at the local, state, and national level, and is dedicated to serving veterans. The American Legion offers a wide range of benefits, from housing to health care. The organization also organizes hundreds of career events each year. The organization works with agencies to help veterans get professional licenses based on their military experience. The American Legion works to improve the quality of housing for military families. It also provides support for homeless veterans.
All of us at the Garland-Tomkins American Legion Post 399, are passionate about our community and the beautiful, diverse peninsula we live on.
We make a specific effort so that our time together is beneficial and productive.
We emphasize coming together to share a meal as we work through the current projects and concerns in this meaningful community.
Activities & Accomplishments
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We meet twice per month (1st & 3rd Tuesday evenings) to share a family-style meal, engage in friendly discussions to enhance our neighborly relations and to briefly discuss veteran and community concerns.
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We decide whether to engage in any community/veteran support projects, which include, for example, collecting and sending to foreign-based troops clothing, candy, food, stationary, and reading materials.
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We often send cards to or visit those community members who are ill or in need of special attention.
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We donate to local causes and each year generously support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention efforts to reduce suicides in the military and veteran communities.
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We collaborate with local community support organizations in fundraising for special causes (veterans, education, local library, church groups, health care, senior citizens, etc).
Commander – Rudy Rudolph
Vice Commander/Adjutant – Tom Petzold
Secretary/Historian – Mary Shultz
Finance Officer/Treasurer – Dianne Shaffer
Legal Advisor/Public Affairs – David Taylor
Post Chaplin – Mike Achorn
Facilities Committee Chair – Tom Obrecht
Veterans/Community Service Projects Chair – Open
Membership Committee Chair — Open
“We exist to enhance the well-being of U.S. veterans, serve the local community, improve our understanding of veteran’s issues and to share current community concerns.”