Brownsburg American Legion Supports Veterans & Community Writer / Jamie Hergott Photography Provided
The American Legion Post 331 in Brownsburg is one of the oldest legions in the nation, having started in 1921 in a log cabin, just three years after the national office opened in 1919. Having relocated from the Brownsburg Town Hall to a building on U.S. Route 136 over the years, the Legion is still thriving and giving
back to veterans and the community on a regular basis. The American Legion is a veteran’s service organization, committed to mentoring youth, sponsoring community programs, advocating patriotism and devoting space and time to service members and veterans. There are four pillars the legion focuses its efforts on: Americanism, Children & Youth, Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation and National Defense. Each legion across the nation chooses how they want to express and support each pillar. Jason Thornbury, a current member who was planning to run for Legion Commander in May, is on active duty for the National Guard. The elections were canceled due to COVID, and the Legion will retain all current leadership through next year. Thornbury has been a member of the Legion for five years and strongly believes in not only its mission but in what makes the Brownsburg American Legion special. He plans to run for Legion Commander when elections are up and running again in 2021. “It’s very friendly here,” says Thornbury, shaking hands and saying hi to nearly everyone as he strolls through the legion. “When I was growing up, I remember walking into a smoke-filled room at the local legion where the haze was at my eyes. Now it’s a place I’m not afraid to bring my 10-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son.” Thornbury has meals with his family there two or three nights a week, and it’s easy to see why. The legion is warm, filled with easy talk and laughter, and TVs showing local news, all while friendly card games and banter take place throughout. The fact that it’s
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