Everyone is invited to the centennial celebration on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Bring the entire family to the opening ceremony at 11:30 a.m. with the posting of colors and singing of the national anthem. The event will be at Riverfront Park (551 W. Lambert Ln, Oro Valley 85737).
Admission is free, and there will be a live band and DJ. Food vendors will be selling a variety of your favorite eats. Please join us for fun, food, music, prizes, domos, and health and safety tips.
There will be activities galore! Meet, support, and thank members of the active duty military, reserves, and the National Guard, veterans from WWII to the present, and emergency first responders (Oro Valley Police Department, Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Border Patrol, Golder Ranch Fire and EMTs). Learn about the award-winning programs of the four entities that comprise the American Legion Family: The American Legion, the Auxiliary, the Sons of the American Legion and the Legion Riders (motorcycle riding enthusiasts).
Learn about the more open Legion membership eligibility requirements recently signed into federal law. Speak with VA benefits and claims counselors. Learn U.S. flag etiquette from the Boys Scouts. See police demonstrations and home safety tips from Golder Ranch Fire personnel. See authentic military equipment and uniforms dating from WWI. Enter your pet in the pet patriotic costume contest, taking place at 1:00 p.m.
There will be children’s activities, including face painting, balloon artists, and more. Meet players of the Oro Valley Post 132-sponsored local Legion baseball team and members of the Post 132-sponsored local law enforcement Explorer Unit. Get your free hand-held American flag, and drop off your unserviceable American flags for proper disposal.
The American Legion is the nation’s largest veterans’ service organization and was founded by veterans of WWI and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1919. It has been fulfilling its commitment of service to veterans, their families, and local communities for 100 years.
For more information about the Legion Auxiliary Riders Sons, contact [email protected] or 520-229-1064. You can also visit our website at www.ovamericanlegion132.com.