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American Legion post undergoing renovations

By Staff | Jun 8, 2016

Michael Mason

Members of the American Legion Post 323 and volunteers are tearing apart some of the interior walls, with plans to expand the bar and provide more room for its members and community residents.

“As it is now, we don’t have enough seating. We can seat 200, but with the walls coming down and making more room, our dining hall in the front of the building will be able to allow many more people for the many affairs held at the Legion,” said Michael Mason, upcoming commander of Post 323.

“We’ve torn down the ceiling and have already taken some walls out. We’re putting up a new ceiling, making repairs and with the walls gone, we are going to be able to situation several more tables for our members and their guests and the general public,” he said.

The American Legion began the renovations a few weeks back and hope to have much of it done by the end of June. The building was built some 53 years ago.

Mason said the American Legion has a membership of about 1,400 and during season, the building is bursting at the seams. When events are open to the public, members say there just is not room for all the activities, many of them sponsored by the Legion and others events held by different groups.

MEL TOADVINE The American Legion Post 323, at 1124 Ashlar Ave., is undergoing renovations.

“It’s time to modernize and open the building up, so while we are doing that, we are also making some repairs on our ceiling,” he said. “There are plans to extend the bar toward the open area of green grass.”

Mason said a pavilion will be constructed in the future for more events.

Since the building was constructed, there have been periods of time when members helped extended the building to today’s size.

The post boasts itself as one of the larger service organizations within Lehigh.

Located at 1124 Ashlar Ave., Mason said the Legion is a benefactor for Lehigh and raises money from its meals and other events to hand out scholarships and support programs in the community.

This year alone, the Legion is expected to hand out some $160,000 to the community.

During the renovations, donations are welcome, Mason said. The work is going to cost about $150,000 to finish.

Last year, the Legion pumped some $92,000 back into Lehigh.

The American Legion is noticeably patriotic throughout the year. Those who drive by can see member-made graves and flags, and poppies can be purchased from members in front of the stores.

“When we are through with the interior renovation, there will be much more room for weddings and anniversary parties that the public may use,” Mason said.

He noted that 40 percent of the 1,400 membership is from out of the state, including a lot of seasonal Canadian veterans.

The Post is open to the public on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and from 5 to 7 for dinner. Some nights there is entertainment provided.

“Active duty personnel are always welcome. We also have breakfast every Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon,” Mason said.

“Much of our expansion is because during season and other times of the year, we have the public coming in for a meal and find there isn’t enough seating and they turn around and leave. We want to make sure we can accommodate all that are interested in visiting us,” Mason said.

The Post is composed of members, including an auxiliary and other committees.

If you would like to donate to the post, make out a check to the American Legion and ask for Mason. If he is not there, see the bartender, who will pass the donations on to Mason.

“It’s exciting for us,” Mason said. “Each time we make changes, it’s a time of celebration for us. We are growing and happy to help the community. We are always looking for new members, too.”

American Legion post undergoing renovations

By Staff | Jun 8, 2016

Michael Mason

Members of the American Legion Post 323 and volunteers are tearing apart some of the interior walls, with plans to expand the bar and provide more room for its members and community residents.

“As it is now, we don’t have enough seating. We can seat 200, but with the walls coming down and making more room, our dining hall in the front of the building will be able to allow many more people for the many affairs held at the Legion,” said Michael Mason, upcoming commander of Post 323.

“We’ve torn down the ceiling and have already taken some walls out. We’re putting up a new ceiling, making repairs and with the walls gone, we are going to be able to situation several more tables for our members and their guests and the general public,” he said.

The American Legion began the renovations a few weeks back and hope to have much of it done by the end of June. The building was built some 53 years ago.

Mason said the American Legion has a membership of about 1,400 and during season, the building is bursting at the seams. When events are open to the public, members say there just is not room for all the activities, many of them sponsored by the Legion and others events held by different groups.

MEL TOADVINE The American Legion Post 323, at 1124 Ashlar Ave., is undergoing renovations.

“It’s time to modernize and open the building up, so while we are doing that, we are also making some repairs on our ceiling,” he said. “There are plans to extend the bar toward the open area of green grass.”

Mason said a pavilion will be constructed in the future for more events.

Since the building was constructed, there have been periods of time when members helped extended the building to today’s size.

The post boasts itself as one of the larger service organizations within Lehigh.

Located at 1124 Ashlar Ave., Mason said the Legion is a benefactor for Lehigh and raises money from its meals and other events to hand out scholarships and support programs in the community.

This year alone, the Legion is expected to hand out some $160,000 to the community.

During the renovations, donations are welcome, Mason said. The work is going to cost about $150,000 to finish.

Last year, the Legion pumped some $92,000 back into Lehigh.

The American Legion is noticeably patriotic throughout the year. Those who drive by can see member-made graves and flags, and poppies can be purchased from members in front of the stores.

“When we are through with the interior renovation, there will be much more room for weddings and anniversary parties that the public may use,” Mason said.

He noted that 40 percent of the 1,400 membership is from out of the state, including a lot of seasonal Canadian veterans.

The Post is open to the public on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and from 5 to 7 for dinner. Some nights there is entertainment provided.

“Active duty personnel are always welcome. We also have breakfast every Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon,” Mason said.

“Much of our expansion is because during season and other times of the year, we have the public coming in for a meal and find there isn’t enough seating and they turn around and leave. We want to make sure we can accommodate all that are interested in visiting us,” Mason said.

The Post is composed of members, including an auxiliary and other committees.

If you would like to donate to the post, make out a check to the American Legion and ask for Mason. If he is not there, see the bartender, who will pass the donations on to Mason.

“It’s exciting for us,” Mason said. “Each time we make changes, it’s a time of celebration for us. We are growing and happy to help the community. We are always looking for new members, too.”