Russell Stafford

I would like to first thank Toby Bonner and Zac Taylor for the opportunity they have provided for us at the American Legion to communicate with our community. 

The American Legion is built upon four pillars, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, Americanism, National Security, and Children and Youth. Many in our community understand the reasons why the Legion is extremely involved with Veterans Affairs, but not many understand our Americanism pillar. 

Americanism is defined by the Legion as “an unfailing love of country, loyalty to its institutions and ideals, eagerness to defend it against all enemies, individual allegiance to the U.S. flag and a desire to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” Our forefathers laid the foundation for a civilization that is the envy of the world. It is our heritage. It is the Legion’s duty to preserve that heritage, recognizing inalienable rights for all. 

There are multiple programs that the national American Legion provides and each local post has its own programs that run with or beside those national ones. In the Big Horn Basin our Legion posts sponsor American Legion Baseball teams, Scouting programs, Boys State and Nation, Oratorical, and a flag program. 

This year our post is proud  to support and stand with Powell’s newest American Citizen, Xiu Jun Lu or as the community knows her, Jen. Jen and her husband, Phil Klebenstein are big supporters of The American Legion Hughes-Pittenger Post 26 in Powell. On Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, Jen became a United States citizen. Congratulations Jen and Phil.

The biggest programs that are supported by Post 26 are the Oratorical speech contest, flag etiquette, and Boys/Girls State. Our community, in the northwest corner of Wyoming, has sent numerous boys and girls to boys and girls state. This program is open to any student who is a junior in high school. The program occurs the summer between their junior and senior years. It is exciting to see the great students who attend this program. This program teaches attendees the proper way that our government is supposed to work. 

Our community is a very patriotic one. As such the need for dignified flag disposal is a highly needed program. Post 26 is proud to offer this service and ensure the flag that many of our brother and sister veterans have been put into eternal rest under is handled with dignity and respect. The American Legion remains the foremost service organization in promoting legislation to honor and respect the United States flag. 

In order for our community to thrive and become a stronger one dedicated to Americanism, it is our pleasure to ensure no one goes hungry. Our weekly Taco Tuesdays feed over 200 individuals on average. We participate in food distribution. We would like to thank our many volunteers who help make this happen, as well as our partners, Albertsons and the Wyoming Food Bank. 

Stay tuned for more articles about your local American Legion, and once again thank you Toby and Zac for this opportunity.

(Russell Stafford is the past Post 26 commander and the commander of The American Legion Department of Wyoming.)