American Legion home at last

Since 1977, the American Legion in Post Falls has been based in many locations – from a restaurant backroom to a former laundromat.

But now, after 12 years of effort, the post has a permanent home.

“The American Legion is supposed to be a leader in the community,” said post Commander John Dunlap. “Now we can be.”

The new home exudes patriotism. The walls in the entranceway are painted half red and half white, with a blue chair rail in the middle.

The dining room boasts about 30 flags, including a 28-star American flag and others commemorating events such as the U.S. Constitution Bicentennial and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The new facility has marked differences from the post’s previous home on Highway 41. For one thing, it is about six times larger, at 12,300 square feet.

The rooms that allow smoking – the lounge and bingo room – contain ventilation systems to help prevent the excessive smokiness of the former facility, Dunlap said.

And the building is one story, a plus for the older members. Several had said they would come back to the Legion when they could walk in instead of climb up, Dunlap added.

Most of the 487 members are empty-nesters who have the time to participate in the all-volunteer veterans group.

The Post Falls chapter is the largest in Idaho.

The building cost $1.2 million, raised from donations, fundraisers and long-term investments, Dunlap said.

With its new facility, the Legion hopes to offer the community a place to hold events – it has a dining hall that can accommodate 300 people – and to gather in honor of veterans.

The Legion provides services such as meals for families of soldiers in Iraq, Thanksgiving dinners for the public and advice to veterans about their benefits.

The Legion also supports the local Boy Scout troop and has donated land adjacent to its building for a new Scouting facility to be built next spring or summer, Dunlap said.

Kootenai County Prosecutor Bill Douglas, a 20-year member, said the Legion is a routine stop for those who support veterans, such as past and present state attorneys general and governors.

“It’s really become symbolic of our area’s veterans,” he said.