The American Legion Oro Valley Post 132, Department of Arizona
History of The American Legion:
The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans’ service organization, has been fulfilling its commitment of service to veterans, service members and their families and local communities for 103 years. It is the leading advocate of benefits for veterans, service members and their families and is a nonpartisan, charitable veterans’ service organization charted by the U.S. Congress. It was founded on four guiding principles: a strong national defense, Veterans’ Affairs and Rehabilitation, Americanism and Children and Youth programs. The Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I to today with a membership of over 2.5 million in 14,000 local Legion Posts worldwide.
History of Oro Valley Post 132:
Oro Valley Post 132 was chartered by The American Legion Department of Arizona in April, 2009 with 77 members and has continued to grow to its present membership of 495 members. It is an award winning Post renowned for its programs benefiting veterans, service members and their families and programs dedicated to preserving American traditions and values and enhancing the quality of life of the youth of our community. The Post serves communities of the northwest including Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, SaddleBrooke, north Tucson and all points in between.
Monthly Meeting Our monthly meetings are held at the Vistoso Memorial Chapel in Oro Valley at 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd. at 6:30 PM on the third Thursday, September through June. A social with refreshments, compliments of the Post, follow each meeting.
Post 132 Recognition and Awards.
2012:
Post and Auxiliary Unit 132 were recognized as the “Outstanding Community Partners of the year” by the Arizona National Guard. Recipients of this prestigious award are selected from among the hundreds of Arizona National Guard civilian community partners.
2013:
Post and Auxiliary Unit 132 received the prestigious U.S. National Guard Bureau’s “Outstanding Community Partner of the Year” award. It is the only time organizations from Arizona have received the prestigious national award.
2014:
Post 132 was honored by the Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans organization as the “go-to” Veterans Service Organization for helping veterans in need.
2015:
Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans honored the Post and Auxiliary Unit 132 with the Chairman’s Award for “Exemplary Care and Assistance” of veterans in need.
2016:
Post and Auxiliary Unit 132 received the “Outstanding Community Partners of the year” award from the Arizona National Guard Western Army Aviation Training Site Battalion. The award was in recognition of the steadfast care and assistance provided to the soldiers and their families.
2018:
Post 132 was honored by the Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans Alliance as the Exemplary Veterans Service Organization for its “Exemplary and Steadfast Care and Assistance of Veterans in Need”
2019 and again in 2020:
Post 132 was honored by the Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans Alliance as the “Go -To” Veterans Service Organization for helping Veterans in need.
A partial list of Post Programs:
Adoption of the soldiers and their families of several Arizona National Guard and Reserve Units. The Units include Arizona National Guard Apache, Blackhawk, Maintenance and HQ Battalions and Arizona Reserves Transportation, Quartermaster, and Medical Support Battalions. We provide care and assistance throughout the year to these citizen soldiers and their families including during frequent periods of deployment.
Programs of support for Veterans in need. This includes support of the annual 3-day Stand Down and the 1-day resource fair for homeless and At Risk veterans in the greater Tucson area. The purpose of Stand Down is to provide a safe environment for these less fortunate veterans where they have access to critical services such as medical and dental health care, employment opportunities, alcohol and drug abuse counseling, housing, legal services, emergency assistance, clothing, care for their pets, haircuts, showers and more. Post 132 provides financial support for meals, clothing and beverages for the veterans during the event. Post and Auxiliary 132 members fill many of the volunteer positions needed for a successful event. Additionally, we have become the go-to organization in the Tucson area for helping veterans down on their luck with grocery and gas gift cards, school supplies for their children, vehicle and home repair and help with their utility bills. When there is a need, we are there to help.
Programs aimed at educating students on patriotic and educational themes. We sponsor a local program of the American Legion Oratorical Contest, an U.S. Constitution knowledge based competition. Students from local area high schools compete. Another program is Boys State in which high school juniors spend a week in a participatory program in which students become part of the operation of simulated local, county and state government.
A partnership with the State Veterans Home to provide comfort and entertainment supplies enhancing the quality of life of the residents.
A community partner of the Oro Valley Police Department’s Law Enforcement Explorer program. The Post provides monetary donations and volunteers during the annual cadet academy scenario training.
Post 132 sponsors an American Legion baseball team comprised of players from local high schools.
Our Flags for Eagles program, developed by Post 132, has become an American Legion, Department of Arizona sponsored state program. Post’s two member teams present U. S. flags that have flown over the Nation’s Capital to Eagle Scouts during their Court of Honor. More than 200 flags have been presented during the past 7 years.
The Post maintains two Color Guard teams and an Honor Guard team that are active within the community. Post 132’s HG is the only active Legion HG in the greater Tucson area.
If you wish to become a member of a Post that is absolutely making a positive difference, join Oro Valley Post 132 now by calling Bob Franke at 520-909-2070 or sending an email to ovpost132@gmail.com. Joining as a new Legion member or transferring from another Post is a simple and painless process.
Mailing Address:
American Legion OV Post 132, P.O. Box 69665, Oro Valley, AZ., 85737.