Post 248: Supporting Fannin County
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919, founded “by veterans to help veterans” after their discharge from military service.
American Legion Post 248, based in Blue Ridge and serving Fannin County, currently has around 140 male and female veteran members and a Post Auxiliary Unit comprised of Post member’s spouses.
Post members meet monthly, generally on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Fannin County Senior Center located at 440 West First Street in Blue Ridge. Other meetings and activities are held at the Veterans Center located at 4584 Veterans Memorial Hwy (Old Hwy 76) in Blue Ridge.
The Post is a service-type Post meaning that its operations are focused on serving the veterans, youth and community-at-large. The Post does not operate a bar, canteen, restaurant or bingo hall.
Post Commander James Callender said funding is derived from a portion (currently $10) of each member’s annual dues and donations received from individuals and businesses. “We do not receive any government funding. Like many small, non-profit organizations, we struggle to fund our operations and services. Therefore, you may see us trying to raise money from time to time,” Callender said.
Included in the local Legion Post’s services are:
Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation
•Provide advice and assistance for veterans and spouses regarding VA benefits;
•Provide emergency financial assistance for local veterans in need. Names are kept confidential;
•Conduct semi-annual Buddy Checks with Post members to check on their welfare and identify any help they may need; and,
•Conduct an annual Veterans Outreach Seminar to inform local veterans about services and programs available to them in our community, from State agencies and from the VA.
Just recently, members of the Legion Post delivered ice cream to veterans residing in area nursing homes.
On February 14, 2024, Post 248 members delivered coffee, drinks and snacks to the Blairsville VA Health Clinic and interfaced with veterans in the waiting room to salute our fellow veterans and lift their spirits.
Callender said Post 248 supports the North Georgia Honor Guard (NGHG) by providing over 90% of its membership to conduct full military honors for veteran’s funerals. The NGHG averages over 60 funerals a year.
“We conduct various social activities for members and spouses such as cookouts, dinner parties, fishing trips, jeep trail rides and winery tours,” Callender said.
Post members are also involved with public safety efforts.
“We support Fannin County with its disaster/emergency preparedness. In January, 2024, we assisted the county and the Fannin County Family Connection with setup and host staffing for their Emergency Warming Shelter during the extreme cold weather,” Callender said.
Post members share information about the importance of disaster/emergency preparedness and how to prepare during National Preparedness Week each September.
The Junior ROTC program at Mountain Area Christian Academy has benefited from an annual donation and a donation of service flags. The Post has hosted their semi-annual car wash fundraiser, mentored cadets and presented awards for senior cadets for academic and military excellence.
Post members coordinated a blood drive with Blood Assurance at the Veterans Center on Veteran’s Day.
Callender said among the Post’s future plans is a First Responder Career Day-Camp for Junior and Senior High School students. This event will introduce them to the various careers within the First Responder family, inform them of the qualification requirements for these careers, enhance recruiting for First Responder agencies, and improve the safety and security of our community.
Callender said that to encourage youth to excel the Post recognizes their accomplishments by offering awards for high school seniors for Scholastic Excellence, Outstanding Americanism, Outstanding Citizenship, Music Excellence, and Athletic Achievement.
Scholarship opportunities include he American Legion Legacy Scholarship, which is a needs based, national competition that offers up to $20,000 for children of fallen military members and up to $5,000 for children of disabled veterans with a 50% or higher VA disability rating.
Scholarships are offered for undergraduate and post-graduate studies.
The American Legion Department of Georgia Scholarship is a state competition that provides six annual $1,000 scholarships to children and grandchildren of Legion members.
The American Legion Samsung Scholarship is available to students who complete and excel in the Boys or Girls State Programs.
There is an Oratorical Competition Scholarship available to winners at local, district, state and national levels. The amount of scholarship increases at each level.
The American Legion also hosts the Boys and Girls State programs. These are comprehensive one-week, practical courses designed to develop a working knowledge of the structure and functioning of local and state government. The same program is conducted separately for boys and girls.
Intended for “rising” seniors, both Boys and Girls State are conducted each year at Valdosta State University.
The course fee, room and board are funded by Post 248 for boys and Post 248 Auxiliary Unit for girls.
Callender said one of the best known public outreaches by the Post are U.S. Flag etiquette classes for students and general public upon request. Post 248 supports the NGHG in the conduct of these classes.
Post 248 supports FFA through an annual donation to help with program costs.
Boy Scout Troop 32 receives an annual donation, members are mentored by Post 248 members, and, “We instruct and jointly conduct a Flag Retirement Ceremony each year with the Troop and the North Georgia Honor Guard,” Callender said.
The Fannin County Sheriff Office’s “Shop With a Cop” program receives a donation, and in December 2023 Post members assisted with setting up the school venue, escorting the children during their shopping at Walmart, bagging their purchases at the checkout stations and hauling their purchases back to the school.
Americanism is also one of the core values of Post 248 members.
Post 248 solicited participation from various veteran groups and assisted the City of Blue Ridge with lining up participants in the annual Veterans Day Parade. The Post also participated by riding in the parade in the back of a military 5-ton truck provided by the owner of the Grumpy Old Men Brewery.
“We support the NGHG with setup and conduct of patriotic ceremonies at the Fannin County Veterans Memorial Park including Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day and others,” Callender said.
The Post supports the NGHG and the members of Boy Scout Tropp 32 in the placement of U.S. Flags on veterans graves in designated cemeteries just prior to each Memorial Day.
Post 248 recently assumed primary responsibility for maintaining the Fannin County Veterans Memorial Park. This includes landscaping, cleaning of walkways and monuments, and maintaining lighting, flag poles and flags. It also includes the placement of commemorative bricks within the park.
Callender said, “The American Legion is probably the most inclusive of all VSOs. To join, a veteran only has to provide verification of serving at least one day of federal active duty and an honorable discharge.”
Callender said female veterans are welcomed and encouraged to assume leadership positions. Post 248 currently has four female veterans in leadership roles, two as Post officers and two as Post committee members.
“Our ability to provide support for our local veterans, youth and community-at-large is limited primarily by lack of manpower and funding.
“If you are a veteran that meets the criteria for membership, please come join us.” Callender said.
Anyone who would like to help financially with the services and programs American Legions strive to provide is asked to please consider making a generous, tax deductible donation. Donations can be mailed to “American Legion Post 248, P.O. Box 1154, Blue Ridge, Georgia, 30513, or made by credit or debit card via Post 248’s website at www.galegionpost248.org.
Anyone with questions about the American Legion or Post 248 can contact Callendar at 404-216-9491 (cell) or email at callender5859@att.net.