Laramie To Host American Legion Parade June 18th

Laramie will host a parade June 18 at 3 pm in honor of the state convention for the Wyoming Department of the American Legion. The convention parade was organized by members of the Husted-Pendleton Post 14 to honor the state and national legion delegates who will be coming to Laramie June 17th-19th.

The parade will be the first time the post has hosted a parade in more than 25 years. It will include notable dignitaries such as United States Senator Mike Enzi, who will also participate in the parade. Representative Cynthia Lummis will also be in attendance and will speak before the parade.  Other members of the parade include the National American Legion Commander Jimmie Foster, National American Legion Auxiliary President Carlene Ashworth, and National Sons of the American Legion Commander David Dew.  Other Participants will include representatives from the many organizations who the legion sponsors such as the Civil Air Patrol, Boy Scouts, Laramie Legion Baseball Rangers, and high school rodeo. American Legion members from around the state will be walking the route as well as the American Legion Freedom Riders.

The parade route will begin at the Train Depot and will go to 2nd Sheridan, then go towards  2nd and Ivinson and will finish at 5th and Ivinson at the WWI memorial.

The purpose of the convention is to set policy and strategy for the state and to make recommendation to the national American Legion. The American legion's mission is veterans serving veterans, and that the convention helps accomplish that mission by selecting policy that will eventually become legislation aimed at protecting veteran benefits.

American Legion posts throughout the state provide a network of veteran service referrals such as Veteran Service Officers who represent the Wyoming Veterans Commission, Veterans Representatives from the Department of Workforce Services, and contacts to the Veterans Administration Hospitals both in Cheyenne and Sheridan.

The American Legion is  dedicated to community service and also sponsor many different clubs and groups such as high school rodeo, Boy Scouts, and Civil Air Patrol.   The local legions also provide an honor guard at funerals and events, volunteer locally or at the VA hospital in Cheyenne, provide assistance to homeless veterans, and emergency financial assistance to veterans and their families.

If you would like to know more about the parade or more about the American Legion you can contact Jimm Ohrmund, parade coordinator at  307-399-1341.