American Legion Post 19 at 775 E Street and the Sons of the American Legion are hosting “A Building Fundfest” on September 10 from 10 a.m. to close and they are encouraging everyone in the community to come out to enjoy a barbecue, horseshoes, corn hole, dunk tank, a 50/50 drawing, a pool table, and hopefully some live entertainment (if you like to play music, bring your instrument to jam with other local talent). Jumbo hot dogs ($5-$6), burgers ($8), and the Legion’s famous ribs ($12) will be cooking on the grill all day long.
The American Legion Post 19 is putting on “A Building Fundfest” to make much-needed repairs to the facility. The Post has fallen into disarray due to the age of the building and lack of proper upkeep over the last few years, but now its new board is trying to get it back on track. It’s in desperate need of new floors and reenforced beams/joists under the building, but the prices of lumber and remodeling materials is delaying progress.
“The back bar floor is caving in; it’s pretty rotted,” says Post 19 Bar Manager Dawny Maple. The Post used to be a schoolhouse, and half of the building was moved into Hawthorne from Candelaria in the 1920s. Years of use has caused it to slowly break down, therefore, Post 19 is concentrating on redoing the floors in the bathroom, main area, and behind the bar.
“Part of the floor has been done but we need to get more two-by-ten’s [2-in. x 10.-in lumber], and new plywood,” Maple adds. The Post did receive a $1,000 donation from American Legion Posts in Carson City to help reinstate some of the flooring, but more funds will be needed to get the job done so that it can stay open and can again host their popular Thanksgiving feast come November.
“The Post has done Thanksgiving dinners for the community for many years, and covid caused a delay [in maintaining the building],” Post 19 members said. Maple reaffirms that they are hoping to get the repairs done by mid-October in time for the event.
“I want to thank all the ones that have already helped so much. If not for them (and they know who they are), then this Post would not be open. Thank you all again, and I hope to see you all there [at the September 10 Fundfest],” the American Legion Post 19 flyer states.
Post 19 volunteers have also been serving breakfast burritos and plan on hosting bingo and 50/50 drawing nights to help further raise money to keep the building intact. The American Legion Post 19 is open seven days a week and serves as an important military post for Mineral County.
