The right man for the post

During a trip to Balboa Peninsula in 1992, Randy Eling visited American Legion Post 291. He liked it so much he joined ? even though he lived in Michigan at the time.

Eling moved to California in 1997, and since then he’s become an indispensable member of the post, which was founded in 1924. On June 2, the Fountain Valley resident will begin his third year as post commander.

Eling has been a part of the American Legion since his return from service in Korea in 1974. In his role as leader of Post 291, he has organized fundraisers that raised $18,000 for the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks and $14,000 for Hurricane Katrina relief.

But it’s not all serious business.

During his terms as commander, Eling has brought live music to the post on Friday nights and weekends.

“He’s constantly volunteering,” said Donna Murray, a member of the post’s women’s auxiliary. “He is down here day and night with all the groups.”

The rest of Eling’s family has become equally attached to the Newport Harbor post. His wife Susan is a member of the women’s auxiliary group, and his son Joshua belongs to the Sons of the American Legion.

According to the post staff, the entire Eling family participates in most of their events.

“They bring a lot to the table,” Murray said.

Post 291 is one of the largest west of the Mississippi River, with around 5,000 members, Murray said.

There’s a bar and restaurant, a marina with 52 slips and a dry dock and launch. It’s also the only American Legion post with its own yacht club.

“The yacht club has over 1,000 members,” said Linda Christensen, another member of the auxiliary group. “We have Monday night sailboat races and regattas. It’s very prestigious.”

Eling is busy planning for his next year as commander.

“I am working on several things,” he said.

“We have cars from one of the local schools to use for the demolition derby in this year’s fair. We bought them from the auto shop so they can buy some new old cars to fix up.”dpt.27-boomers-BPhotoInfoER1RCNMC20060527izw6v8ncCHRISTOPHER WAGNER / DAILY PILOT(LA)Randy Eling, pictured at his home in Fountain Valley, is a veteran of the Korean War and is the Newport Harbor American Legion Post 291 commander.