Sonny Sonnichsen
Sonny is a U.S. Air Force veteran and has been a member of the Falcon Community for the last 15 years. He has been in the American Legion for the last 7 years. Before becoming our Commander, Sonny has held numerous positions within Dane R Balcon Post 2008, All with only one goal in mind - Supporting and Assisting his fellow veterans.
Melissa Dashner
Melissa Dashner is an Army Veteran and has been with the American Legion for six years as a member of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and American Legion Riders. Melissa has volunteered in many organizations however she feels that the American Legion Family Organization provides a great mission for her military family, our community and her family; all whom she cherishes. " I love the (American) Legion mission and how it helps not only our military families but our local community as well. And the fact that my entire family can join me in these efforts, makes it a perfect fit!"
James Kendig
James Kendig is a board member of the SAL and the Legion as well as the instructor for the Young Guns program. In his corporate job he was a mentor and a trainer which taught him to work for the greater good.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Ryan Fitzgerald joined Post 2008 in April 2020. Five minutes into his first meeting, he was elected Historian. This year he is excited to serve as the Legion Adjutant. The Legion has been in his blood since he was a youngster as he spent many days at the Post with both of his grandfathers attended Detroit, Holy Family Post 570. Ryan is looking forward to serving his fellow veterans!
Neil Wicklif
Served 4 years active/2 years reserves with USAF
Legion member for 6 years
Owned his own aircraft maintenance business for 35 years
Served as treasurer of Black Forest Community Club
Serves as treasurer for the Black Forest Community Foundation
John Ekstrand
Lifetime Legion member, 30 years retired Army, physician working with Health Net Federal Services / TRICARE as the Director of Clinical Quality for the West Region. Currently the Service Officer for Post 2008.
WHO WE ARE
We are The American Legion Post 2008 Located in Falcon Colorado. We are a charitable 501c3 that is dedicated to supporting our veterans, children and our local community. We meet at 11990 Swingline Rd, Peyton, CO 80831and meet on the 4th Wednesday every month.
Our Mission
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.
Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Operation Comfort Warriors program supports recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing them with "comfort items" and the kind of support that makes a hospital feel a little bit more like home. The Legion also raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families during times of need and to provide college scholarship opportunities.
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation's veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.
Four Pillars
Americanism:
The American Legion is an organization dedicated to God and country, with a membership of military veterans who take deep pride in the U.S. Flag and all that it means. Since its inception nearly 100 years ago, the Legion has been a stalwart champion of patriotic values, morals, culture and citizenship. The Legion’s pillar of Americanism embodies its devotion to law and order, the raising of wholesome youth, an educated and law-abiding citizenship, and respectful observance of patriotic holidays and remembrances.
Veterans Assistance and Resources:
The American Legion has always believed in the quality of care at VA medical centers. In spite of the scheduling scandals that broke in Phoenix and spread throughout the country, we still stand strong behind our mantra that it's a “System Worth Saving.”
As evidence of our dedication to VA, we put boots on the ground over the summer, producing a dozen Veterans Crisis Command Centers and Town Hall meetings in some of the areas hardest hit by the epidemic of VA mismanagement. The compassionate care delivered to frustrated veterans has helped pave the way for a new era of improved VA care.
Children and Youth Support:
The Colorado Veterans Kids Fund is a program of the Department of Colorado. A special fund has been set up to disburse funds to those veterans who need immediate assistance for basic subsistence needs.
National Defense:
The American Legion believes national security must be maintained to fulfill the mandate for a strong national defense. As stated in the Preamble, “FOR GOD AND COUNTRY WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES TOGETHER FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America… To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy.”
The Legion is an organization of veterans who fought for freedoms, which they are dedicated to keeping and preserving. As one of the Four Pillars it was founded on, the Legion believes national security is upheld by keeping a well-funded Department of Defense, a good quality of life for troops and a sensible transition between service and separation.