FOR A GOOD CAUSE -- Dennis Lahey

Noaki Schwartz

Veteran Dennis Lahey has been involved with American Legion Post 291 for

nearly a decade. One of about 25 volunteers in the 2,000-member

organization, Lahey’s dedication has paid off.

On June 4, he will take over as commander, the organization’s most

prestigious post.

And his first order of business? To get more volunteers.

“Our charter calls for us to serve our veterans and our community,” he

said. “It’s like breathing. If you want to be a Legionnaire, you have to

serve.”

Lahey himself served his county during the Vietnam War, although he was

never sent into combat there. He was sent to Germany as a tank company

commander. More than a decade after his return, he decided to volunteer

with the American Legion.

In anticipation of beginning his tenure as commander, Lahey is putting

together a package of all the different areas for which people can

volunteer. Both veterans and non-veterans are welcome, he said.

The Legion has a number of different volunteer positions apart from those

available to their veterans, including: the American Legion Axillary, for

wives and daughters of veterans; Sons of the American Legion; and the

American Legion Yacht Club.

The auxiliary helps organize fund-raisers, dinners and visits to sick or

injured veterans in hospitals. They put together care packages and

regularly chat or play bingo with veterans at the V.A. Hospital in Long

Beach.

The Sons of the American Legion put on charity events, such as a recent

fund-raiser for the Newport Beach Police Department.

“They help us an awful lot,” Lahey said. “They do all the work for

nothing -- those young, little whippersnappers.”

The Yacht Club, among other things, has positions available for boaters

to teach their skills to youngsters. The group annually competes for the

“Yacht Club of the Year” title.

Lahey also plans to start a special volunteer club called the “411 Club”

for veterans. These volunteers would agree to work four hours a month for

11 months. The volunteers give their time to any nonprofit organization

in the community.

“We support other groups besides our own,” he said.

Once Lahey recruits more volunteers, his next goal is to extend the

Legion’s lease, which is currently threatened by various developers.

FYI

To get involved with the American Legion Post 291, contact the Legion at

(949-- 673-5070 or Dennis Lahey at (949) 548-4408. The American Legion is

at 215 15th St., Newport Beach.