Hastings American Legion Closes

A FOX-9 news story late last week reported that the Hastings American Legion Post #47 closed its doors abruptly on Christmas Eve, with officials there saying it would not be a permanent closure. Commander Paul Chadwick at the Litchfield American Legion Post #104 says they want to assure their patrons that that type of thing won’t happen in Litchfield.

Chadwick says the Litchfield American Legion is financially solid, and they just recently hired an assistant manager. He says the Litchfield Legion gave back $57,000 to the community in the last fiscal year – and most of that stays right in Litchfield.

Chadwick says one of the big issues for Legion Posts and other service clubs all over the nation is dwindling membership. He says 15 years ago they had 500 members and that’s now down to 262 as a lot of younger people are not joining clubs.

Chadwick says New Year’s Eve is always a big night for the Litchfield American Legion, and he says the club in downtown Litchfield will be open on New Year’s Day with a DJ from 1-to-4 p.m.