The Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 may be 100 years old, but it is reinventing how it does business. Long ago, Post 84 sold its traditional Post building that had a bar and a hall, and those days are not coming back because the new office will boast a coffee bar and computer work stations.
Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 will participate in a ribbon-cutting and open house of a new service office from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at 1 E. Benton Street, on the 3rd floor in downtown Aurora. Light refreshments and appetizers will be served and the event is being coordinated by the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The program will include remarks from president & CEO Jesica Linder Gallo of the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, followed by remarks from Mike Eckburg, commander, Post 84, and Ken McLaughlin, managing partner of Post 84’s office neighbor, Law Offices of McLaughlin & Associates in addition to any elected officials who might be in attendance. The ribbon-cutting is scheduled to be at 4:30 p.m. followed by a Solar Rooftop Tour at 5 p.m., weather permitting.
“Our new model of the American Legion to move away from an actual building and into a service office is to provide a resource and a welcoming atmosphere for veterans,” said commander Eckburg. “Our office has space for veterans to bring their kids while working on the computer, have a cup of coffee or just sit on the outside rooftop. Sometimes veterans just need a place to relax, and we hope that they will come to us.”
Roosevelt-Aurora Post 84 has seen membership grow to more than 300 members, and is changing to meet the needs of younger veterans. Recently, Post 84 has re-established its Post Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion Post 84. Membership officers will be on hand to sign up veterans to be members of the Post, in addition to sign up volunteers and supporters to the newly-formed Post 84 Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion Post 84.
“We strive to create an inviting and accepting environment for all veterans,” said Eckburg. “By having this space, we can continue to meet the needs for the veterans of the Aurora area.”
The Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 will participate in the ribbon-cutting with their office neighbor, The Law Offices of McLaughlin & Associates. The Corporate law firm is not new to Aurora, but recently has moved next to the American Legion into the former Carnegie Library building and, is along with Post 84, looking forward to being a part of the revitalization of the downtown area as 3rd floor neighbors.
The Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 was founded in 1919, and is one of the oldest posts in the State. Its name is in memory of Quentin Roosevelt, the youngest son of president Theodore Roosevelt, who was killed in WWI in aerial combat over France on Bastille Day (July 14, 1918).
— Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84