By AL STOVER
Staff Reporter 

American Legion Post 196 undergoes leadership transition

Post hopes to increase presence throughout the community

 

Last updated 8/7/2014 at 5:01pm

Al Stover

Matthew D. Jackson, commander for the Errol L. English American Legion Post 196, holds the post's charter, which was adopted in 1969.

Medical Lake's Errol L. English American Legion Post 196 is on the verge of revitalization.

Matthew D. Jackson was voted the commander for Post 196 back in May. He, his vice commander, Phoenix Hanks, and the rest of the post are attempting to get more involved in the community.

Jackson, a retired veteran who works as a veteran's service officer for the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs, has been a member of the post - along with Hanks - for the last three years.

Jackson said Post 196, which formed under a temporary charter in 1966 and adopted an official charter back in 1969, has been involved within the city at a minimum capacity, mainly donating money to Medical Lake Dollars for Scholars charity.

After they appointed the commander, Jackson and Hanks asked for guidance from Jackson's co-worker Gary Roach, the American Legion Area III vice commander. They also rewrote the post's bylaws and constitution.

Post 196 currently meets the second Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. at Medical Lake City Hall to discuss business, raise funds and keep veterans informed.

"We want to develop a network for veterans in Medical Lake so they know what is happening to their benefits," Jackson said.

Seventeen new members have joined the post since May, bringing the current total to 70. Jackson said the post is comprised of male and female veterans from several wars.

"We're moving forward and it's going," Jackson said. "We have a lot of passionate officers and I hope I can find more people."

While they meet at City Hall, Jackson said the post plans to raise money to purchase a building in Medical Lake.

In addition to growing their own numbers, the post hopes to establish chapters of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion in the area.

In addition to helping veterans, the post wants to help the youth in the community.

Jackson said the post would like to sponsor a Medical Lake High School student for the American Legion Boys State and Girls State programs which teaches students about government and Americanism. Jackson also plans to speak at the school in the fall.

Post 196 will continue to donate money for Dollars for Scholars, but would also create their own scholarship for students. He added the post would also like to sponsor the city's American Legion baseball teams.

Jackson said he would like to see the post's influence to grow and spread outside of Medical Lake.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.

 

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