An Open House was held at the Covington American Legion Post 16 Saturday, May 13, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their building out on Ronald Reagan Highway (the Covington Bypass near the High School). The event was sponsored by Avenues Recovery, Longbranch NORA, Victory Recovery and the Veteran’s Administration.
Dignitaries with Robert H. Burns American Legion Post 16 and local officials cut a ribbon commemorating the extensive renovation of the 40 year old structure.
The event began at 5 p.m. and included a presentation, a dinner and a showing of a new film entitled "22- The Unforgotten Soldier." Two members of the Covington American Legion post were active in the production of that film, now available for viewing on
Amazon Video.
The cutting of the ribbon
The Honor Guard presents the colors.
About 200 members of the community turned out for the occasion.
The Patriots Five Youth Group signed the Star Spangled Banner.
From left to right City council member John Botsford, Post Commander Joseph P. Untz II, Dennis Charlesworth, and City Council Member Mark Verret. The city officials were on hand to congratulate the American Legion on its contributions to the community and the improvements to its post building.
After the ribbon cutting, the group went indoors to visit the informational booths telling about programs to aid veterans in the area.
Members of the DAR greeted visitors as they arrived.
Some of the exhibits
The recent renovations updated the interior of the building, raising the ceiling in some areas and installing LED lighting. The sound system was improved and the rest rooms were upgraded. The above shows the meeting room of the Ladies Auxiliary, formerly the Post Museum which has been moved to the other side of the building to larger quarters. The museum is still being organized and isn't open to the public as yet.
The Movie's Goal
The goal of the movie 22 - The Unforgotten Soldier is to bring awareness to the alarming rate of PTSD and suicide among veterans and, hopefully, save lives. American Legion Post 16 is proud of its association with actor, director and producer, Sam Medina; assistance in production of the film by Post 16 member, Charles R. Rooney, and appearances by members Rooney and Ignatius DeSandro in the film. In addition, over 80% of the cast are combat veterans. It depicts two Marines, from different generations, bonding over time to fight the real battle after coming home from war in order to survive the statistic of 22 suicides per day.
The American Legion Post moved from its former location of Hadden Hall on Jahncke Avenue in 1983.
Covington American Legion Post Commander Commander Joseph P. Untz II, left; Council member Mark Verret, center, and Council member John Botsford, right.
See also:
1995
1973
The former post location was Hadden Hall
The new location
1975
1983
Robert H. Burns, the Post Namesake
