American Legion Post #114, “Bushmasters”

History

“They came together from squalid Indian reservations, from the barrios of Phoenix and Tucson, from prep schools on the Hudson and coal mines in Pennsylvania, and they became the fighting team known as the Bushmasters. Lauded by McArthur as among the finest units under his command, reviled by Tokyo rose as “bloody butchers”, the group began humbly as part of the Arizona National Guard. A year later of jungle training in Panama, much of it spent fighting the Regular Army types who called then ‘spics and blanket-asses, earned them their nickname after the notoriously deadly pit viper found in the region. Thrown together by the fortunes of war, men whose lives would never have touched fought through the jungles of New Guinea and the Philippines, proving the Japanese wrong when they said a nation of mongrels would never overcome Bushido warriors.” Anthony Arthur, Bushmasters: Americas Jungle Warriors of World War II, (St. Martins Press, 1987)

About Us

Current List of Officers:

• Commander – Calvin Watuema
• Vice-Commander – Troy Truax
• Jr. Vice Commander –
• Adjutant –
• Chaplain – Jeff Begay
• Sgt-at-Arms – Raymond Price
• Historian – Calistro Coronada

Membership and Eligibility: Membership is available to any Community member regardless of branch of service. Membership eligibility in the American Legion is based on honorable service with the U.S. Armed Forces Between the following dates:

• April 6, 1917-November 11, 1918 (World War I)
• December 7, 1941-December 31, 1946 (World War II)
• June 25, 1950-January 31, 1955 (Korean War)
• February 28, 1961-May 7, 1975 (Vietnam War)
• August 24, 1982-July 31, 1984 (Lebanon/Grenada)
• December 20, 1989-January 31, 1990 (Operation Just Cause)
• August 2, 1990-Today (Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm) – Because eligibility dates remain open, all members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to join the American Legion at this time, until the date of the end of hostilities as determined by the government of the United States.

You must have served at least one day of active military duty during one of the dates above and honorably discharged or still serving honorably.

A copy of your DD214 or Discharge at the time of application needs to be accompanied with a membership application. For transfers, you must complete a Member Data Form; submit a copy of your DD214 or Discharge, and a copy of your membership card.

Meeting Times: Meetings are generally held at 6:00PM on the second Tuesday of each month. Meeting dates and times will vary when necessary due to Post commitments within the Community or elsewhere.

Location: Bushmasters American Legion Post #114 and Unit #114 Auxiliary, hold their monthly meetings and other special meetings at Veterans Hall, which is located across from Behavioral Health and next to Youth Services, Early Enrichment Program.

American Legion Unit #114 Auxiliary

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #114 is working to build its membership, and is asking all spouses, daughters, and female siblings who are related to, descended from, or widows of a veteran to please consider becoming a member of Auxiliary Unit #114.“Serving veterans, their families and their communities”

Auxiliary Junior Member

Junior membership is offered to anyone under the age of 18 who is an immediate family member of an American Legion member or a deceased veteran.

Ladies Auxiliary Officers

• President – Doreen Atkison-Juan
• Vice-President – Beaulah Dumas
• Secretary – Susette Shihady
• Treasurer –
• Chaplain – Joyce Sammaripa
• Historian –
• Sgt-at-Arms –

Meeting Times: Meetings are generally held on the first Sunday of each month, following the meetings of American Legion Post #114

Location: Bushmasters American Legion Post #114 and Unit #114 Auxiliary, hold their monthly meetings and other special meetings at Veterans Hall, which is located across from Behavioral Health and next to Youth Services, Early Enrichment Program.

Sons of the American Legion

“Sons of The American Legion exists to honor the service and sacrifice of Legionnaires”
The Sons of The American Legion was created in 1932 as an organization within The American Legion. The S.A.L. is made up of boys and men of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States military and became eligible for membership in The American Legion.

Why would someone want to join the SAL?

Different people have different reasons for belonging to organizations. For many, membership in SAL has allowed them to become involved in American Legion programs alongside their fathers. Others belong out of respect for their parents’ and grandparents’ service to our country in the military. Many younger members get involved and learn valuable leadership skills involving organization, public speaking, negotiating, budgeting and fundraising skills. Membership in our organization also provides individuals with opportunities to forge lifelong friendships with people who share a common bond.

Members of The American Legion, Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion comprise the Legion family, which has a combined membership of nearly 4.2 million.