American Legion Celebrates 90th Birthday in Toccoa

Toccoa’s American Legion Post 104 celebrates a milestone birthday.

The post marked its 90th birthday with a dinner and program on Monday at the post location on Doyle Street in Toccoa.

Among those attending the event was the 9th District American Legion Commander, Geoffrey Toman.

He said he is honored to be a part of Post 104’s celebration.

“Toccoa is one of the oldest American Legion posts, not just in Georgia, but in the entire country,” said Toman. “I am really proud and pleased to be here tonight to represent our district.”

Toman went on to say that he wants the Toccoa post to know that it, and all of the state’s posts, are important to the American Legion’s mission in Georgia.

“I just wanted them to know what a big part they have all played in the entire state and the fact that we are doing really good this year, not just because we have a National Commander from Georgia, but because everybody, like the people at Post 104, have all contributed to the success of the state.”

The celebration not only marked the 90th birthday for Post 104 in Toccoa, but the 97th birthday of the entire American Legion as an organization.

Toman said the Legion remains committed to both helping veterans and serving communities.

“I would like to think we have a big influence in Congress because this is where the rubber hits the road, you know, you want to take care of your veterans when they come home from war and this is one thing we did,” said Toman. “We started back in 1919 doing things for the veterans and we continue doing that today. We do things in the communities and with the schools and the youth because we want them to understand what patriotism means.”

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated in 1919 by Congress as a patriotic veterans organization.

It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service.