4 newportbeachindy . com JUNE 7 , 2024

PAGE 1

Follies ( Children ’ s Hospital ), Special Olympics , the Youth Patriotic Singing Group , and several others .

In all , the Post donates nearly $ 318,000 annually to individuals and veterans ’ organizations . Likewise , the Auxiliaries raise impressive donations .

Post 291 was founded in 1924 by a group of 30 World War I veterans who were residents of the Newport Harbor area . They held an organizational meeting in the quarters of the Balboa Chamber of Commerce . The group elected Raymond Hitchcock Brunswick as their first Commander ,

A battle plan was formulated to raise the $ 1,500 needed to purchase a site on 10th Street . Through a series of fundraisers , the founders ’ objective was attained .

Along with the property came a 25-year lease on the tidelands between the property and the bay . Subsequent efforts in 1925 secured a bank loan of $ 1,900 to construct a one-story hut that became the headquarters . The first meeting there was held December 2 , 1925 .

Then came the great membership drive of 1926 , resulting in a Post membership of 80 .

The expanded membership voted to use part of its property as a hut site for the Newport Beach Boy Scouts Troop , formed in 1922 . And to this day , the Scouts are on the list of organizations supported by Post 291 .

In 1940 , the city issued a new lease to the Post on 15th Street , its current location .

Members and their friends volunteered to construct the Great Hall in 1949 . Unfortunately , a fire started by a faulty floor furnace razed the Hall in 1979 . But

Top : Aerial view of the American Legion Post 291 . Photo courtesy of American Legion Post 291 ; bottom : Original Post 291 Hut on 10th Street . Photo courtesy of American Legion Post 291

serendipitously , the Post leaders took out insurance 11 days earlier . The Hall was fully restored on July 4 , 1980 — to appropriate celebration .

In 2002 , Newport granted the Post a new 25-year lease , with a 25-year lease extension option , “ thus ,” read the tag sentence on an online Post bio , “ leaving a path for our future membership to follow .”

Come Thursday , July 4 , the Legion Post will hold an open-to-the-public

Centennial celebration : Legion members , along with Newport Beach Fire Department volunteers , will host a pancake breakfast , which will expand throughout the day and evening with performances by various bands .

On Friday , July 5 , the Post 291 will host a Gala dinner in the Great Hall . “ We ’ re hoping for 500 attendees ,” said Post Commandant Plant .

Celebrants will dine in a recently refurbished main hall that was originally erected between 1953 and 1955 . The Post raised $ 600,000 to upgrade the main hall , kitchen ( which old salts refer to as the galley ), outside dining deck , and offices .

Although the look is subtly new , the building ’ s original spirit remains . The expanded kitchen runs seven days a week and is open for both lunch and dinner ; breakfast is served on Sundays . The bar also runs daily and opens at 11 a . m . until closing . Needless to say , the prices are veteran friendly .

Post 291 for many is an important retreat for remembrance , respect , comradeship , social gatherings , marine recreation ( there is a yacht club ), and dining pleasure .

According to longtime American Legion member Neil Hardin , 75 , “ This organization brings me to the doorstep of camaraderie . Each morning for more than two decades , Dan ( a fellow Legion member ) and I gather here sipping coffee , watching TV and immersing ourselves in the pulse of this community . It ’ s about the friendships forged , the diverse veterans encountered and the enriching connection with local governance .”

Hardin ’ s friend Dan O ’ Sullivan , 80 , has been an American Legion member for 23 years .

“ This is where individuals who have served can openly share their experiences , unburdening themselves from the weight of what they ’ ve witnessed and done . It ’ s a supportive environment where conversations flow freely and there ’ s a genuine understanding of each other ’ s journeys .”

American Legion Post 291 is living history in Newport that ’ s available to – and for – everyone

SALES

ADVERTISING SALES TEAM Carol Josepher , Chris Mattingley , Adrienne Kruse , Mara Hertel

PRODUCTION MANAGER Tina Leydecker tina @ firebrandmediainc . com

PUBLISHER EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Steve Zepezauer

PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING Scott Sanchez

CREATIVE & MARKETING DIRECTOR Tracy Powell

ADVERTISING & CIRCULATION : Tel : 949-715-4100 | Fax : 949-715-4106

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Tiffany Thompson

MAILING ADDRESS : 900 Glenneyre Street , Suite B , Laguna Beach , CA 92651 Tel : 949-715-4100 | Fax : 949-715-4106 | www . newportbeachindy . com

HOW TO CONTACT THE CITY COUNCIL

* indicates term limit

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION The Newport Beach Independent wants to hear from you about the issues affecting us all . Send letters to : info @ NewportBeachIndy . com