Members of Fayette County’s American Legion Post 105 recently celebrated their unit’s 80th anniversary.

The Legion meets in the familiar “Log Cabin” in downtown Fayetteville, right off Ga. Highway 85 across from the Heritage Park fountain plaza. Last year the membership swelled to 278 members, the most the club has ever had.

This bunch doesn’t just get together to reminisce about old times, either. They’re very active in the community in both promoting patriotism and also supporting local veterans, including those in active service.

Among the Post 105 activities:

• Sponsored deployed military units in Iraq and Afghanistan;

• Shipped comfort items, Christmas cards, books and toiletries to military units overseas;

• Quarterly visits to Veterans Affairs hospital in Atlanta;

• Assist local veterans with individual service problems;

• Quarterly flag retirement ceremony;

• Sponsor of Fayette County Memorial Day ceremony;

• Sponsor of Cub Scout Pack 409 and Boy Scout Troop 309;

• Strong supporter of Boys State and Girls State Americanism programs;

• Sponsor of patriotic speaking contest;

• Handed out hundreds of American Flags at July 4th parade;

• Current home post of Department of Georgia Commander, Dale Barnett.

The national organization is dedicated to serving veterans, youth programs, patriotism and supporting national defense. There are more than 2.7 million members across the United States.

The occasion of the anniversary was marked by a House Resolution from Ga. Rep. Dan Lakly, R-Peachtree City, himself a Legion member, and John Yates, R-Griffin, chairman of the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Post 105’s first commander was N. Wilbourne Kelley, and there were 19 original members who formed just eight years after the national organization was created.