Tuesday will be the last meeting for Neosho American Legion Post 163 before the post becomes a non-meeting group.
Last month, group organizers said too few members attended meetings, often they do not have a quorum and they can’t fill the officer positions. Post 163 has 113 paid members and more people closely aligned with the group, but fewer than 10 show up for each meeting.
State Adjutant Frank Prosser said the individual posts are autonomous and he cannot fault the group for their decision to step down, but he hopes they will come back.
“The posts operate independently of the department, we’re just the go-between the post and national,” Prosser said.
The group will be encouraged to do things to build itself back up and may be getting a little bit of help.
“The 15th District commander may come in and try to work with people who want to be active,” Prosser said.
Dissolving the post entirely would be a different matter. To dissolve all members would need to be notified of such intent, a meeting would be held, a vote taken and the results forwarded to the state and national organization levels.
Prosser said Post 163 is a medium-sized post for the state. Disbanding such a large group would be difficult.
“We do a lot of good for veterans and their families,” Prosser said.
The Legion works for veterans’ causes, helps their families, believes in a strong national defense and “stands on Americanism.”
Among its other actions the group sponsors children to Boys State and Girls State. Without meeting and fundraising they may not be able to do so next year.
Members are sad to see the group’s regular meetings end, but will still connect occasionally. Frank Gaines of Neosho will be the contact person for those who want to get together.
American Legion membership is open to members of any branch of service who have seen at least one day of active duty in a war as declared by Congress. Family members may join the auxiliary or the Sons of the American Legion. The American Legion Riders are also associated with the group and raise funds and awareness for veteran’s causes.
The final regularly scheduled meeting for the American Legion will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Municipal Courtroom on College Street.
