Members of American Legion Post 738 march in Fairview Park's Memorial Day parade in May. (West Life photo by Kevin Kelley)

American Legion Post 738 marking 60th anniversary
By Kevin Kelley
Fairview Park
Published April 2, 2008

The ladies auxiliary of American Legion Post 738 is putting on a dinner marking the organization’s 60th anniversary April 12.

Despite the celebratory nature of the event, Joanne Hulec, president of the ladies auxiliary, has a sense of trepidation.

“I hope this is not the last birthday dinner we have,” she said.

Property taxes and utility costs have combined with declining membership to put American Legion Post 738 in a financial pinch in recent months.

Three months ago, some leaders associated with the post put out a public appeal to help with the organization’s cash flow problems.

Ron Hulec, Joanne’s husband and a former post commander and member of its executive board, said while the organization is currently solvent, its finances are still tight.

Hulec said that when he joined about 14 years ago, the post had about 240 members. Today it has around 140.

There has been some discussion in recent months among post leaders, Hulec said, of selling its property, located at 19311 Lorain Road. In the event of such a sale, the post would seek to share facilities with another area post, possibly American Legion Clifton Post 421, headquartered at 22001 Brookpark Road.

However, members have held off on making any decision to sell the post’s hall, said Hulec, who served in the Army in the 1950s.

“We’re doing everything we can to keep functioning the way we have been,” he said.

The post’s current commander, Jim Babitsky, noted that most community organizations have been having financial problems lately.

“We’re hoping to stabilize the finances and keep the post alive and keep it going,” said Babitsky, a Marine veteran who was stationed in Vietnam in 1968-69. “The economic times are just rough on everybody.”

Meanwhile, the post’s members, who already served their country during wartime, continue to serve the community and their fellow veterans in various ways.

The post raises the American flag at Fairview High School home football games and provides color guards at local civil events.

“If City Hall needs the colors posted, we usually do that,” Babitsky said.

Mayor Eileen Patton said she appreciated their service.

“Legion Post 738 has always played an important role in our community,” Patton told West Life. “They participate in our Summerfest every year as well as every We Do Care ceremony each November at the high school. They also organize our Memorial Day parade and invite the community back to the post for a ceremony and a great cookout at no cost.

“I also have the honor of attending all the Legion ceremonies installing their new boards and the women’s auxiliary boards as well. They are a wonderful dedicated group of true Americans that are so proud of serving our country. They are always willing to participate in our city events, and I am so glad that I have gotten to know each and every one of them.”

Post and ladies auxiliary members travel about six times a year to the U.S. Veterans Administration Medical Center in Brecksville to visit, deliver refreshments, and play bingo with the veterans.

“They seem to appreciate that a lot,” said Sue Carson, treasurer of the ladies auxiliary.

Before Christmas each year, post and auxiliary members put together care packages containing toiletries, cards and books for the veterans at the Brecksville hospital, she added.

The post also hosts an annual Christmas party for local children whose fathers and grandfathers are veterans, said Carson, whose husband, Don, is a Korean Conflict-era Army veteran.

About two dinners are held each month at the post’s hall, Carson said.

In recent weeks, the ladies auxiliary has been focusing on the anniversary dinner.

“We have a birthday dinner every year,” Carson said, “but this year we’re trying to  make it more special because of the 60th anniversary.”

Joanne Hulec said it’s shaping up to be one of the post’s highlights of the year.

“I like to think of it as one of our ‘white table cloth’ dinners,” she joked.

Because the dinner will be catered, the ladies will be relieved of kitchen duty, except for those making the hor’dourves, she said.

Several certificates of appreciation will be awarded to a number of post and auxiliary members, Carson said. Just who will be recognized is a secret; however, Carson said recognition will be given to “people who have put forth a concerted effort to be active in the post.”

The post’s 60th anniversary dinner April 12 is open to the public. Cocktails and appetizers will be served from 5:45 until 6:45 p.m., with dinner following at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 per person. To make reservations, call Sue Carson at (440) 331-2730 by April 7.

PRO OF THE YEAR: For nearly five decades, Post 738 host hosted its “Pro Of the Year” dinner honoring a member of the Cleveland Browns. This year, quarterback Derek Anderson will be honored at the April 22 event, which Hulec said is the organization’s biggest annual fund-raiser.