Mike Lee of the J.E. Manning American Legion Post 258 believes Atlanta's post is the most active in the entire district.
"We have about 100 members, not all attending, and we do so much all the time that I think we're the most active legion post in the region. We've always got something going on year-round," Lee said this week as he watched the concrete being poured for the latest post project, the Middle East War veterans' memorial.
Lee likes to tell the Christmas turkey story as an example.
"Well," he begins, "you know we've got game nights, flag placements, community memorials, gravestone recognition, fundraisers for veterans in need, garage sales, Boys and Girls State, regular meetings with programs. And more."
Lee said he's especially proud that other organizations in the community use the veterans' post building as their meeting spot, such as the downtown development committee, DAR chapter, Domino Credit Union and others.
"But I'd really like to tell you about our Thanksgiving turkey fundraising project that turned into a Christmas Turkey Dinner," he said. "You know on Thanksgiving several years ago we started raffling three donated turkeys and made a lot of money to help others. It made me think, if we could just get three more turkeys, we could have six turkeys as Christmas gifts for the needy."
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the idea gained steam.
"Things just started coming in. Food, all the trimmings for a complete dinner. Before long someone said we could have a complete meal for the six people."
Mike and other post members started looking for the needy individuals or family, but couldn't find them.
"Veteran associations were no help. No health organization or church. Finally, we hit upon asking the Home Health services. They know such people."
The home health services were excited, too. They joined in.
"By Christmas Day we had the meals prepared. Everyone had just stopped, helped and put things together. Cake, pies and everything."
On Christmas Day, the meals were delivered. Members of the post went along to join in.
"When we got there the people almost just started crying. 'We wouldn't have had any dinner this day,' they said.
"Well, I had the same tears. It was one of the best days."
That was three years ago.
"Now we are going to do Christmas Dinners each Christmas. It's just another service project we can do."