Spirit of Freedom Post 76 in Las Vegas
American Legion Post 76
Post 76 Information
Post 76 was first Charted in 1994, and is one of the many American Legion Post's in Nevada. We are based in Las Vegas.
Welcome to the official website for American Legion Post 76 in Las Vegas, Nevada! The purpose of this site is to present information for local veterans [of all eras] and their families, along with information which can be of use to veterans around the U.S. We will offer the ability to view our newsletter online, list local and national resources, and list events that Post 76 is involved with.
We will update information when appropriate and add more when we have more. We intend this site to be easy to use, and full of useful or interesting facts. Visit the pages in this site to see what help is available in Nevada, what events are upcoming in Las Vegas, and what the American Legion Post 76 is all about.
Post 76 History
CHARTER DATE: September 28, 1994
POST NAMESAKE:
The membership came up with the name "Spirit of Freedom". It went well with our number 76. It would also reflect upon the freedom gained from the 1776 Government of the King of England, who would not allow the "Second class citizens" of the Colonies to be considered equal to those living in England.
Our logo applies our Post number and name, showing who we are and what we stand for. With this magnanimous donation of several hundred dollars, we were able to move forward with our endeavor. The design artist was given the following facts:
1. Our number and its reference to the 1776 era.
2. The Minute Man soldier with rifle, representing the citizen, the veteran soldier, always ready to defend our country and protect our freedoms.
3. That we are members of the American Legion.
4. That we are a Nevada Post, the State should be represented as well as Las Vegas.
5. The designer included in his first draft, the State motto, "Battle Born."
6. We wanted 13 stars, to represent the original States. No matter how hard he tried, the artist could not do this one without the start looking like dots. We had to settle for 11 stars including the one marking the
City of Las Vegas, for the representation. Since we began in the 9th month and have 11 stars - does that make us the first 9/11 Post?
FIRST COMMANDER: William Powers
NOTABLE MEMBERS:
Jack Ford:
Alternate NEC 2006-2011
Department Commander 2005-2006
Department 1st Vice 2004-2005
Department 2nd Vice 2003-2204
Department Sgt-at-Arms 2002-2003
Department Service Officer 2000-2003
District 2 Commander 2002
District 2 1st Vice Commander 2001
Post Commander 2000-2002
Post 1st Vice Commander 2000
Post 2nd Vice Commander 1998
Post Sgt-at-Arms 1997
Served on the following national committees and sub-committees:
Distinguish Guests
Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation
Economic Matters
Employment and Veterans Preference
Claims and Ratings
Hospital and Medical Services
Additionally serves as the Board of Directors Chairman for the Nevada Boys State program, The National Representative for VA Voluntary Service program and represents The American Legion as a member of the Commanders Advisory group at the VA Hospital.
Robert Jagemann:
District Judge Advocate 2009-2010
Vice Chair, National Distinguished Guests Committee, 2009-2010
Department of Nevada Legislative Committee, 2012-2014
National American Legion Press Association [NALPA], 2009-present
Member – Clark County School Board, Naming of District Facilities 2010 (Secured name for Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy)
WHAT MAKES OUR POST UNIQUE:
Post 76 serves the western and northwestern area of Las Vegas, Nevada.
We hold General Meetings at 1:30 pm on the 3rd Sunday of most months at the:
Spirit of Freedom Post 76 in Las Vegas Welcome to the official website for American Legion Post 76 in Las Vegas, NV. This website informs local veterans of all war eras and their families of how the Legion can work for them.
A SHORT HISTORY OF WHAT THE AMERICAN LEGION HAS DONE FOR YOU
March 16, 2020: American Legion National Headquarters staff begin a period of social distancing and work-from-home procedures amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic. American Legion posts, departments and facilities worldwide are forced to temporarily close their doors to members and the public. The organization responds with hundreds of Buddy Check activities to assist older veterans; dozens of blood drives as need increases; food-delivery services; supplies for parents suddenly forced to home-school their children; protective mask making and distribution; and hundreds of other acts of community support. The pandemic leads to cancellation or postponement of national meetings, including the 101st National Convention, American Legion Baseball World Series and American Legion Boys Nation.
July 30, 2019: President Trump signs the Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service – the LEGION Act – which extends recognized wartime service to cover previously unrecognized periods of U.S. military conflict, back to World War II. More than 1,600 Americans were killed or wounded in armed hostilities during periods not previously recognized as wartime. The act allows veterans who served outside of the previously designated war eras to join The American Legion.
June 20, 2019: The U.S. Supreme Court rules 7-2 in favor of The American Legion in its case to allow a 40-foot cross-shaped memorial in Prince George’s County, Md., to stay on public property. The memorial was erected in 1925 by The American Legion and Gold Star Mothers to honor 49 who gave their lives fighting in World War I. The Supreme Court heard the case after the American Humanist Association filed suit to have it removed, claiming its presence on public property violated the Constitution.
March 15-17, 2019: The American Legion celebrates its 100th birthday in Paris, France, throughout the United States and around the world.
January 31, 2019: The American Legion’s Temporary Financial Assistance program completes a record-breaking month of cash-grant disbursements. Of the $1,030,163 delivered to military and veteran families, most is distributed to U.S. Coast Guard families with children at home who were affected by the 35-day federal government shutdown.
August, 2017:
Denise H. Rohan of Wisconsin is elected national commander, the first woman to hold the role in the Legion's history.
August, 2017:
The American Legion, in concert with others, creates, advocates for and passes the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2017. Named after the author of the original GI Bill and Past National Commander of The American Legion, the new GI Bill improves upon the great foundation that already existed, removing the burdensome cap to use the education benefit, along with many other great additions to the legislation aimed at improving the lives of veterans and their families.
August, 2017:
The Legion assists in the creation and eventual passage of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, which modernizes the current appeals process at the Department of Veterans Affairs, forcing VA to render a decision on a veterans claim within one year.
June, 2017:
Created to hold VA employees more accountable, the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 is passed by Congress in concert with The American Legion. A longtime goal of the Legion, this legislation gives the VA secretary the authority to terminate the employment of VA employees who do not hold the standard of the VA’s missions, to help veterans. The American Legion worked hard with Congress, VA and others to create and pass this much-needed veteran-centric legislation.
July, 2016: The Legacy Scholarship is expanded to children of post-9/11 veterans who have a combined VA disability rating of 50 percent or greater.
August, 2014:
National Commander Michael D. Helm announces that Legion Family members and friends donated more than $4 million (his goal) to Legion charities and programs during his year in office.
July, 2016: The Legacy Scholarship is expanded to children of post-9/11 veterans who have a combined VA disability rating of 50 percent or greater.
2014:
In the midst of a VA waiting-list scandal that reached up to the deaths of veterans waiting for care, The American Legion calls for the resignations of several top officials, including VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. The scandal would ultimately engulf multiple facilities and offices; the Legion kept the issue in front of the public and Congress via articles and testimony.
Aug. 30, 2013:
National Commander James E. Koutz announced that the American Legion family raised more than $1.1 million for Operation Comfort Warriors during the 2012-2013 fundraising year. It easily surpassed his original goal of $500,000.
October, 2012
VA guarantees its 20 millionth home loan. 1936-1937 National Commander Harry Colmery and 1943-1944 National Commander Warren Atherton escorted the original GI Bill of Rights through Congress in 1944, arguing passionately for veterans’ educational benefits, government-assured health care and what they called "readjustment allowances." Today Colmery and Atherton are lauded as the "fathers of the GI Bill" and its successors.
August, 2011
The American Legion Baseball World Series is held for the first time in the tournament's new permanent home, Shelby, N.C. Prior to this, the tournament had rotated to different cities. Total paid attendance at the Shelby contests soars to an all-time high of 86,000 total.
May 5, 2011:
The National Executive Committee authorized establishment of The American Legion Amateur Radio Club (TALARC) to promote emergency communications and disaster preparedness, engage youth in math and science and facilitate public communications with our nation’s federally licensed amateur radio operators who are veterans. TALARC membership opened free for members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion who are FCC licensed ham radio operators.
December, 2010 The Legion officially begins a relationship with United Services Automobile Association (USAA), making the veteran-founded insurance company "The American Legion's preferred provider of financial services." The purchase of USAA products gains money for Legion programs. USAA representatives often give members helpful financial information and tips through Legion media.
October, 2010 Continuing a long-standing tradition of advocating for timely and adequate medical care for veterans, the Legion forms a PTS-TBI Ad Hoc Committee to both examine current methods by VA and the Department of Defense of treating the two conditions, and investigate potential alternatives.
Oct. 22, 2009:
President Obama signs the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform Act of 2009, guaranteeing “advance funding” for VA appropriations, a formula that The American Legion has strongly supported for many years. The new law sets funding for VA one year in advance.
February, 2010 The entire Legion family bands together and wins $250,000 for Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW) in PepsiCo's Refresh Everything Project, submitting the most votes in an online contest and beating out hundreds of other groups and charities to take first place in the contest's first month. A big part of getting the word out was the American Legion Online Update e-newsletter. This is an early example of the still growing power of online and social media to augment everything the Legion does.
June 30, 2008
President George W. Bush signs into law the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, a next-generation GI Bill strongly supported by the Legion. The bill renews the federal government's commitment to veterans by providing them with substantially better education benefits. The Post-9/11 GI Bill took effect Aug. 1, 2009, and sent an unprecedented number of veterans to college. Today, as at its formation, the Legion remains at the forefront of efforts to improve education and other benefits for all veterans.
Oct. 17-18, 2007:
The American Legion National Executive Committee passes Resolution 35 and adopts The American Legion Riders as a national program of The American Legion. The first American Legion Riders chapter was established by American Legion Post 396 in Garden City, Mich., in 1993.
May 7, 2005:
The American Legion lobbied successfully to remove from VA funding legislation administration-proposed increases in VA prescription co-payments and institution of user fee for Priority Group 8 veterans using VA health facilities. Efforts focus on legislation to provide mandatory, vice discretionary, funding of VA health care.
August, 2005 Delegates at the 87th National Convention in Honolulu unanimously voice their support for the global war on terrorism with Resolution 169.
Sept 19, 2004:
The American Legion launches a national program, the Blue Star Salute, where posts across the country hold public events to recognize troops, their families and local businesses on Armed Forces Day.
Sept. 3, 2004:
American Legion lobbying leads to more progress in elimination of the Disabled Veterans Tax with passage of PL 108-375 that eliminates the 10-year phase-in for 100 percent service- connected retirees, allowing them to immediately begin receiving both retired pay and VA disability payments.
Oct. 17, 2003:
American Legion efforts on Capitol Hill break the deadlock on the Disabled Veterans Tax when Congress creates a 10-year phase-in for service-connected disabled retirees to receive military retired pay and VA disability compensation without subtraction from either. Legion efforts also result I passage of the Military Family Tax Relief Act.
November, 2002
The Legion launches the national "I Am Not a Number" campaign to identify and document the delays veterans face in obtaining medical care from VA.
Sept. 11, 2002:
The American Legion takes lead in conducting “A Day to Remember” events to mark the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the nation.
Oct. 10-11, 2001:
The American Legion creates the American Legacy Scholarship Fund for children of military members killed on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.
Aug. 28-30, 2001:
The American Legion passes resolution to rekindle Blue Star Service Banner program.
Sept. 12, 2001: The American Legion reactivates the Family Support Network following terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C.
Sept. 5, 2000:
The American Legion presents the first “Spirit of Service” Awards to active duty service members for their off-duty volunteer activities.
March 29, 2000
Senate Joint Resolution 14, the constitutional amendment that would return the people's right to protect the U.S. flag from physical desecration, falls four votes short of the necessary 67 to override a presidential veto.
Sept. 3, 1997
The Legion presents its first National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award at the 79th National Convention in Orlando, Fla.
June 11, 1997
The National Emergency Fund surpasses the $1 million mark in cash grants given to flood victims who belong to the Legion family. Most grant recipients reside in the flood plains of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Minnesota and North Dakota.
Sept. 16, 1996
The Legion awards a $20,000 college scholarship to each of the 10 inaugural Samsung American Legion high school scholars.
Oct. 1, 1995
The Legion forms the Persian Gulf Task Force to enhance service for the newest generation of wartime veterans, thousands of whom suffer from illnesses linked to their service in the region.
Jan. 30, 1995:
The American Legion announces acceptance of scaled-down exhibit “without political commentary” for the Enola Gay, ending the greatest controversy in the Smithsonian Institute’s 149-year history.
Sept. 24, 1994:
The American Legion announces partnership with the Smithsonian Institute’s Air and Space Museum to develop an exhibit for the bomber Enola Gay, which dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Previous museum plans had drawn intense criticism from veterans, scholars and the public.
Aug. 24, 1994
The Legion announces the creation of the Citizens Flag Alliance, a coalition of organizations and individual citizens united to work for a constitutional amendment to protect the U.S. flag from physical desecration. Since 1995, the amendment has passed in the House by a supermajority six times: in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2005. In 2006, the amendment fell one vote short of passage in the Senate.
June 15, 1991
The Legion hosts its first Junior Shooting Sports National Air Rifle Championships at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Today, more than 2,000 high school students a year enter the contest, which teaches gun safety and marksmanship.
Oct. 11, 1990
The Legion creates the Family Support Network to assist families of service members deployed for operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Middle East. Through local posts, the network offers a wide range of assistance, including financial assistance, mowing lawns, baby-sitting and more. Today, FSN continues to assist families affected by military activation and deployment.
Aug. 2, 1990
The Legion files suit against the federal government for failure to conduct a Congress-mandated study about the effects of Agent Orange on veterans who served in Vietnam.
Oct. 16, 1989
The long-standing objective of the Legion to improve adjudication procedures for veterans’ claims is achieved when the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals becomes operational. Most of the provisions contained in the law creating the court were originally included in the Veterans Reassurance Act, written by the Legion and introduced in Congress in 1988.
July 21, 1983
The Legion announces its sponsorship of an independent study on the effects of exposure to Agent Orange on Vietnam War veterans. Congress receives the results of the "American Legion-Columbia University Study of Vietnam-era Veterans" in 1989
Aug. 26, 1982
The Legion presents a $1 million check to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for construction of the Wall in Washington, becoming the largest single contributor to the project.
Sept. 1, 1966
The Legion voices great concern over the fate of prisoners of war in Vietnam. Today, the Legion urges a full accounting of all POWs and troops missing in action; and has formed a special group from among the nation's major veterans’ organizations to continue pressing for further resolution of this issue.
July 9, 1954
The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation is formed. Today, more than $11 million has been awarded to youth organizations and projects designed to help America's children.
May 29, 1946
The Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary present a small, struggling organization called the American Heart Association with a $50,000 grant. The grant inaugurates a nationwide program for the study, prevention and treatment of rheumatic heart disease.
June 22, 1944
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs into law the original GI Bill, or Servicemen's Readjustment Act, ushering in monumental changes in U.S. society. Higher education becomes democratized after 8 million veterans go to school on the GI Bill, get better jobs, buy houses in the suburbs and raise families. For every dollar spent on educating veterans, the U.S. economy eventually gets $7 back.
Dec. 15, 1943
Past National Commander Harry W. Colmery starts to write in longhand, on Mayflower Hotel stationery in Washington, the first draft of what will later become the "GI Bill of Rights" – considered the Legion's single greatest legislative achievement.
July 17, 1925
The Legion creates the American Legion Baseball program. Today, more than 50 percent of Major League Baseball players are graduates of the program. About 82,000 youths play on Legion-sponsored teams each year.
June 15, 1923
The first "Flag Code" is drafted during a Legion conference in Washington. Congress adopts the code in 1942. Today, the Legion is at the forefront of efforts to pass a constitutional amendment to protect the U.S. flag from physical desecration.
Aug. 9, 1921
The Legion's efforts result in the creation of the U.S. Veterans Bureau, forerunner of the Veterans Administration. Today, the Legion continues to lobby for adequate funding to cover medical, disability, education and other benefits for veterans.
Nov. 10-12, 1919
First Legion convention convenes in Minneapolis. The Constitution and preamble are adopted. Delegates vote 361-323 to locate the Legion's national headquarters in Indianapolis, IN instead of Washington. A resolution is passed in support of Boy Scouts of America. Today, the Legion is the chartering agency for more than 1,700 Scouting units made up of approximately 64,000 youths.
Sept. 16, 1919
Congress charters The American Legion.