By Alicia Couch Payne
On Saturday, November 17, 2018, over 150 people enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal provided by the American Legion Post 127. Post 127 has been hosting this annual tradition for close to half a century. The Thanksgiving meal was open to the community to attend.
Adults and children alike could be seen having fun and enjoying the good food provided by the American Legion post. Members of the American Legion along with the Ladies’ Auxiliary and Sons of the Legion worked tirelessly to prepare the food and host the meal. Attendees all agreed that the food was delicious and were thankful for the meal and the fellowship they found at the American Legion.
This was the last Thanksgiving meal that the American Legion will host at their Sawnee Avenue location. They recently closed on a new piece of property located on Suwanee Dam Road at Riverside Road in Sugar Hill. The groundbreaking for this new location is slated for late January 2019. Jon Payne the commander of American Legion Post 127 said that they anticipate that the new facility will be complete in late summer of 2019.
Post 127 of the American Legion hosts numerous events that are open to the community every year as part of their community outreach program. The next event will be their Christmas Celebration on December 16th. The event will feature pictures with Santa, a delicious meal, and toys for the children after dinner. In addition to the Christmas Celebration, members of Post 127 give out 500 bags of fruit to members of Buford, Sugar Hill, and Flowery Branch. They visit several nursing homes and other people in the community that greatly appreciate the Christmas gift. On December 31st, the American Legion will have a live band, finger foods, and a fireworks display to celebrate the New Year.
Community outreach extends beyond the holiday season. Post 127 hosts an annual Easter Egg Hunt for the children of the community. A fish fry and a live band are provided for their Memorial Day celebration. On Independence Day, the American Legion grills up hamburgers and hot dogs and ends the day with a fireworks display. To celebrate the end of summer and Labor Day, the post works their smokers and puts out a delicious BBQ spread.
“Our events are open to the community. Our community events are family-friendly,” says Commander Payne.
For more information on the American Legion Post 127, as well as, their community events, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Post127Buford/ or visit their website at https://legion127.us/.