American Legion celebrates opening of new GV Post 131

Click here for a photo gallery of the grand opening.

Newly formed American Legion Madera Post 131 celebrated its grand opening in grand style on Saturday with 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. festivities for members, officials from the American Legion in Arizona, members of various posts in Southern Arizona and the University of Arizona Air Force ROTC color guard.

Also present for the opening were Tom Ward, special assistant to District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll, and Gabe Zimmerman, Constituent Services Supervisor for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Following the Star-Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance, Ray Greeley of the executive committee said, “Welcome to Post 131. This is Arizona’s newest post. A lot of negotiations and a lot of work have gone into this big day. All work was donated and done by volunteers.

“Post 131 has no payroll. Everything is done by volunteers.”

Greeley said the building, which is close to the southeast corner of Esperanza Boulevard and La Canada Drive, once housed a jail cell, post office, fire department and Mexican restaurant, but had been vacant for years.

Post 131 received its charter on its grand opening day.

Purple, orange and gold on the outside, the interior has been redone, fittingly, in red, white and blue.

Member Jerry Pulliam said there are many veterans in central Green Valley who wanted an American Legion post closer than Post 66 on Duval Mine Road.

“The location was a principal draw and the space layout with a bar, kitchen and large central room made this building ideal,” Pulliam said.

The large central room can seat 112 for dining and can also be rearranged for meetings, a speaker and social events.

The long counter in the spacious new bar/lounge contains inlaid plaques bearing the names of some who have served in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.

One wall in the room has been reserved for a photographic Wall of Honor for those who have served in the military since Oct. 7, 2001, when the Afghanistan conflict began.

“Some members transferred from Post 66 and new members joined when they heard of the new Green Valley post. There are approximately 150 members, 35 auxiliary members (those who have close relatives who were veterans during specific periods) and 15 who are sons of American Legion members. Included are 26 World War II veterans,” Pulliam said.

All former military are welcome. Post 131 is non-smoking. The entrance is in the rear of the building where there is ample parking in Green Valley Village.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.