COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado — The American Legion Post #5 in downtown Colorado Springs celebrated its centennial anniversary Sunday. The veterans group received its permanent charter on August 7, 1919.
The building has gone through a number of renovations through the decades, but it's remained at the same location on the corner of Platte Ave and Cascade Ave.
The post's alumni include several notable figures in Colorado Springs history including Charles Tutt, Roy Wasson, Jasper Ackerman and Douglas Jardine.
It's charter members included Maj. Habeeb Saidy who helped Theodore Roosevelt Jr to set up the national veterans group and Maj. Victor Hungerford who was part of the Legion's inaugural national convention committee.
Keith LaMee, the post's historian and Centennial Celebration chairman explained that serving is part of the nature of Legion members who follow the motto is Veterans Still Serving America.
"Some of the older veterans understand the ins and outs that the newer veterans have to face as they're dealing with the VA trying to get their benefits, and other aspects that they have to deal with on a daily basis," LaMee said.
In celebration of anniversary, the post also took on a new name. It will be known as the Private First Class Floyd K. Lindstrom American Legion Post #5 in honor of the Colorado Springs native and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient.
