Legion Family helps clean up Charlotte’s Freedom Park as part of national convention

As American Legion Family members cleaned two markers commemorating Mecklenburg County’s World War II veterans Friday morning at Freedom Park in Charlotte, N.C., a passing jogger thanked them for their efforts.

That’s part of the purpose of the community outreach projects that the Legion Family does in conjunction with the annual national convention.

“People have misconceptions about what the American Legion Family is all about, and by being out here and marked up that we’re The American Legion and we’re volunteering, folks who are running through the park having a great day are going to see Legionnaires in another light,” said Past National Commander Denise Rohan. “They will see us as people who actually do community work across the country.”

American Legion Auxiliary National Vice President Lisa Williamson agreed.

“If we can be out doing things in the communities that are hosting our national conventions — or any event, even at home, a smaller event, and you’re sitting there and you’re branded, people see that we’re actually active and doing things in our communities and instead of me giving them an application and saying, ‘Hey, give me your $30,’ they come up to me and tap me on the shoulder and say, ‘What are you doing and how can I be a part of it?’” Williamson said.

This is the 10th year the Legion Family has participated in a community outreach project during the national convention. It’s become an annual tradition for many of the participants.

“I tell you what, I’d much rather be out here doing service projects than sitting in meetings,” said Williamson, who was volunteering for the project for the ninth time. “We have to have meetings (at convention) … but I’d rather be out here myself doing service projects and helping our communities and our military and our veterans.”

The 50-some volunteers divided into teams to help parks department employees spruce up Freedom Park. In addition to cleaning the memorial markers, they painted handrails, pressure washed benches, and worked on landscaping including mulching, weeding and tree trimming.

“I was a Scout, so I grew up learning that if you go into someplace, especially a park, you leave it more beautiful than when you came. So you always take care of things,” said Rohan, who noted that Freedom Park was “a beautiful park already.”

“… I just feel better knowing that I’ve done something to help,” Rohan added.