Programs
and
ServiceS
In 1919, The American Legion was founded on four pillars: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. Each of these pillars encompasses a variety of programs that benefit our nation’s veterans, its service members, their families, the youth of America and ordinary citizens. These programs make a difference in hundreds of thousands of lives each year.
Our organization’s positions and programs are guided by resolutions passed by American Legion National Convention delegates, and committee and commission members who represent 2.6 million wartime veterans and their families. These programs, and the men and women who take the time to perform them, are what allow The American Legion to make a difference locally, and on the state and national levels. It’s who we are and what we do.
In St. James, as well as Brunswick County wide, Post 543 provides more than 70 programs and services designed to enhance the quality of life for local veterans, their families, children and youth, and our community at large. Those specific programs and services are explained below.
Veterans are entitled by law to a wide range of medical services and financial benefits. Post 543 provides direct support through various programs including:
Keeping Post members informed of major changes in VA health care eligibility and enrollment requirements, nearest VA medical and benefit offices. This is accomplished through monthly presentations, the Post Newsletter (hardcopy). e-Newsletters (electronic version) and in regular virtual/in-person meetings.
Distribution to each Post member the American Legion “Dignity Memorial — Veterans Planning Guide.” This booklet guides veterans and their families by providing useful information about available benefits, military funeral honors, and burial in a National or State cemetery.
The Post Service Team successfully works more than 100 individual cases per year. Support includes:
- Working with VA representatives to coordinate filing for benefits.
- Working with Brunswick County Family Assistance (BFA) and the Homeless Coalition in those cases where veterans and their families are truly destitute.
- Working with Habitat for Humanity and the Seabees, coordinating to build access ramps to make life easier for disabled veterans.
- Assist in arranging to set up the NC Veterans Experience Action Center (VEAC), which puts veterans into contact with VA representatives.
- Provision of medical devices (e.g. motorized wheel chairs, scooters, walkers, etc.) to Veterans with Special Needs
Veterans have earned provision of Military Honors upon burial/internment. Post 543 provides direct support to families of deceased Veterans through provision of Honors by the Post Honor Guard, Bagpiper, Bugler and presentation of the American flag to the family.
Post 543 conducts Wreaths for the Fallen” ceremony at Cape Fear Memorial Park located along Southport-Supply Rd SE, Southport, NC each December, where wreaths, American flags and individual Service flags are placed on every Veterans grave.
Addressing the potential ill effects of loneliness head-on, throughout the year the Ministry Team connects with older or single veterans through “Buddy Checks,” making weekly telephone calls, sending cards, offering rides, and helping where needed.
During the Easter season, the Ministry Team delivers meals and “goodie baskets” to WWII veterans residing in the local area and makes personal contact with other Post members residing out of the local area.
The Post 543 Ministry Team established a formal relationship with Elmcroft Senior Living Facility in Southport, striking up relationships with a group of resident veterans, visiting regularly for conversations and establishing a Memory Wall with pictures and memorabilia to celebrate the military careers of resident veterans.
Each year Post 543 supports the Marine Thanksgiving with local families by funding and coordinating bussing for single enlisted Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune NC. The goal is that no Marine be alone on Thanksgiving.
The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during battle following the publication of the wartime poem In Flanders Fields. The poem was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M. D. while serving on the front lines. On September 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of the American Legion family to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during the war. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of the American Legion.
American Legion Post 543 periodically distributes symbolic Red Poppies, often with the assistance of Army Junior ROTC cadets from South Brunswick High School at various public venues. Every year Post 543 brings attention to this symbolic flower by calling upon all St. James residents and visitors to honor the fallen by wearing a red poppy. The red poppy has been a symbol of lives lost to war since World War. By wearing the red poppy, we are reminded of those true heroes who gave their lives for our freedoms.
Throughout the year, Post 543 hosts events that include formal recognition of Blue Star and Gold Star families. Additionally, the Post provides star flags to the families that they can display in their yards/homes.
Each year Post 543 provides support to the annual Wounded Warrior Fishing event held on Oak Island. The Post provides both financial and volunteer support assuring a welcoming and enjoyable day for all Veterans dealing with the wounds of war.
Post 543 provides direct support to the Wounded Warrior Battalion East, Camp Lejeune, NC including traveling to Camp Lejeune to support the Marine Corps Trial Rowing competition. Volunteers from the Post distributed drinks, fruits, and snacks to competitors. Post members also provide support to wounded service personnel during their practice in Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Volleyball, and Wheelchair Rugby, helping prepare the athletes for the yearly Warrior Games in Florida.
The Committee for Active-Duty support oversees Post support to others including:
- Operation Comfort Warriors
- Operation North State Christmas Boxes
- Wounded Warrior Project
- Folds of Honor
- Fisher House
Under a formal Memorandum of Agreement between Post 543 and the Town of St. James, Post 543 has the sole responsibility for the maintenance of the Town of St. James Veterans monument, memorial brick walkway, landscaping, and electrical illumination. “Proudly maintained by Richard H. Stewart, Jr., St. James American Legion Post 543” is inscribed at the base of the monument along with the American Legion symbol, firmly codifying Post 543 and permanently manifesting its presence within the St. James community.
Under formal agreement with White Funeral Homes, Post 543 maintains the American and Service flags that fly at Cape Fear Memorial Park Cemetery located along Southport-Supply Rd SE, Southport, NC. During a formal ceremony held monthly, Service flags are rotated through the two flag poles throughout the year.
The Honors and Ceremonies Committee, comprised of the Post Honor Guard and other Post members that support ceremonies, conducts military funeral honors for fallen veterans; planning and conducting the annual Memorial Day, 9/11 Remembrance Day and Veterans Day ceremonies; presenting the Colors for monthly Post meetings and for local civic organizations; and representing the Post at various local parades to include the Southport July 4th Festival, the Wilmington Veterans Day parade, and the annual Christmas By The Sea Parade on Oak Island.
Members of Post 543 partnered with The State Port Pilot newspaper to create and publish an ad campaign thanking veterans for their service that led to The State Port Pilot receiving the State of North Carolina Press Association award for best ad series. This 6-ad series now runs annually through the winter holiday season.
Each year Post 543 competitively selects candidates for consideration of State of NC honors as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Emergency Medical Service Officer of the Year and JROTC Cadet of the Year. In 2021 Post 543 candidates swept the field with all three Post submitted candidates earning best in the State in each of the three categories.
The Post 543 Americanism and Children and Youth Committees strive to instill patriotism and citizenship through education and leadership, working with educational institutions and other organizations supporting Americanism and citizenry in our communities. The Children and youth Committee, working with schools and various organizations, fosters self-improvement opportunities and implements programs to help youths accomplish their life goals.
Each year Post 543 actively supports and funds selected students to attend the State of North Carolina Boys State and Girls State programs. Competitively selected students learn the basic principles of successful management in a democratic society.
Post 543 members volunteer many hours in the local schools teaching and mentoring students on the U.S. Constitution, the history of the armed forces, leadership, management, and other subjects. For example, Post members serve as mentors and instructors in the Robotics program at the Brunswick County Early College High School and support the South Brunswick High School JROTC program where Post members teach over 20 courses annually.
Through various programs run by Post 543 students compete for scholarship funds. Each year the Post provides an average of ~$20K in scholarships. These scholarships/awards include:
- Colon Furr Nursing Scholarship
- JROTC Cadet of the Year Scholarship
- JROTC Top Shooter Award
- JROTC Medal for Academic Excellence
- JROTC Medal for Military Leadership and Performance
- Richie Hat Trick Scholarships, awarded to those high school students who excelled in all three areas of scholarship, school programs, and community service.
Post 543 has an active U.S. Constitution Oratorical Contest program with highly qualified Post members mentoring individual students throughout the year to successfully compete. It is common for Post mentored students to prevail at the District, Division, and “place” at the State level. Students who successfully compete in this program have the potential (and have) to earn thousands of dollars in scholarship funds.
Other Children & Youth organizations financially supported by Post 543 include:
- The Brunswick County Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron
- “Computers 4 Kids”
- Brunswick County Family Assistance to support Veterans and their families.