Sons of the American Legion (SAL) is a nonprofit organization of male descendants of men/women who served honorably in the US Armed Forces during WW1 or since 12/7/41. The SAL is a program of the American Legion, and eligible veterans can join as well if their parents served. Nearly 2 million men have joined the American Legion, and the national commander of the American legion, Vincent J. Toiola, fresh off of speaking to federal officials in DC, came to South Carolina to give a speech to the joint session of SC congress.
Post 174, of Irmo/St Andrews, had enough members join to receive their “charter” and become official. Typically, these charters are sent via post, but due to the timing of the national commander’s arrival, we received the honor of receiving our charter directly from the leader of the organization.
Irmo Town Councilman Erik Sickinger was voted by the SAL Post 174 to be the commander, and is joined by Adjutant Gene Bierman and Timothy Taylor, Taylor is SC American Legion Post 174 Post Commander.
“It’s my honor to be voted as commander of the SAL post 174,” said Sickinger. “And on behalf of the entire local post want to express my gratitude and appreciation that the National Commander of the American Legion desired to personally deliver our charter.”
The Sons of the American Legion serves to assist Legion posts with fundraisers, visit veterans in VA hospitals and nursing homes, promote Americanism, and run fundraisers in support of veterans. In these divided times, it is refreshing to see organizations like SAL which are non-partisan and promote an understanding of what real Americanism is: an understanding and respect of military service, properly respecting the flag and what it stands for, and having an appreciation for American history.
Photo: Left to Right- Robert Thompson, SC SAL Adjutant, Ryan Henderson – SC SAL Commander, James Jarvis – SC American Legion -Department Commander, Vincent J. Troiola – American Legion – Department Commander, Erick Sickinger SC 174 – Squadron Commander, Gene Bierman – Squadron Adjutant, Timothy Taylor – SC American Legion Post 174 – Post Commander
