Next Cookoff
July 18th & 19th
The Commander's Desk
"Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst"
It’s always an honor to address this remarkable group of Legionnaires & Associates—a fellowship bound not just by shared service, but by shared purpose. Today, I’d like to reflect on what makes our Post more than a meeting place. It’s the beating heart of our community’s commitment to remembrance, service, and strength.
Let’s begin with the Early Bird members—those who renew before the rest, not just in paperwork, but in spirit. You are the quiet vanguard who signal to the rest of us that it’s time to recommit, to refocus, and to keep this legacy alive. You don’t wait to be asked. You just act. And in doing so, you set the tone for everything that follows. The Early Bird program exemplifies those values. It’s not merely about renewing a membership early—it’s about making a statement. That we’re in this together. That each of us is committed, from day one, to the betterment of our post and the legacy we uphold. Early Birds don’t wait for the call—they’re already marching.
To our Honor Guard, words fail to express the depth of gratitude we feel. Rain or shine, in solemn silence or crisp salute, you remind families—and this nation—that sacrifice is never forgotten. Every ceremony you perform is an act of reverence, a living symbol that we still honor our fallen. You give dignity to the departed, and hope to the living. These are men and women who voluntarily carry out ceremonies that remind us why we serve: to honor those who came before, to comfort those who remain, and to never let a fellow veteran go unrecognized. Their precision, reverence, and discipline remind us that freedom is never free—and that memory must be kept alive, not just in spirit but in action.
Our Board Members—you don’t just lead; you listen. You navigate the challenges, keep us compliant, find the funds, settle the schedules, and steer the ship through both calm and storm. Yours is the quiet endurance that makes leadership look easier than it is. Thank you for shouldering that weight on our behalf.
And to our Volunteers … you’re the glue. The ones who sweep floors, file reports, grill burgers, and comfort widows. You’re the first to arrive and the last to leave. Without you, the spirit of this Post would dim. But because of you, it shines.
Lastly, I leave with this principle: Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. That’s not just a motto—it’s our way of life. It’s how we train, how we lead, and how we love. We prepare—because our communities, our families, and each other deserve that kind of vigilance. And we hope—because hope is how we endure. Hope is the light that carried us through war, and hope is the torch we pass to the next generation.
Thank you for all you do—seen and unseen—to keep that light burning.
God bless our Post, our community, and the United States of America.
Ricky Baimbridge - Post Commander 2025 - 2026
At present, we are finalizing a list of the email addresses for officers and members of the Post, Unit, and SAL. This will enable the Post to communicate more effectively, and save money on the Newsletter postage. We will be glad to add your name to the list. You may leave your email address with one of the attending personal.
You may also email you contact information to:
Webmaster: Post.618.Webmaster@outlook.com
