American Legion Post 62 Smith Mountain Lake inducts new commander

American Legion Post 62 Smith Mountain Lake members held their bi-annual Change of Command ceremony on July 8th during their monthly meeting, and inducted Kevin Hughes as new Commander. Hughes follows in the footsteps of outgoing Commander Jeff Prowse who successfully led Post 62 for the past two years. During the meeting, Prowse expressed his appreciation "to the founders of Post 62 and to the past Commanders whose leadership has put the SML Legion on a trajectory that helps veterans in very real and tangible ways."

Hughes served 23 years in the Navy as a Seabee MUSE Tech, deploying around the world, followed by 17 years in the Navy Civil Service, retiring as a Harpoon Weapon System Chief Logistician. Originally from New Jersey, Hughes moved to Smith Mountain Lake in 2020 and has been a longstanding member of Post 62. He said his goals for the Legion are to keep it moving in the direction it’s been going since the post was rekindled 2021. “Post 62 differs in its culture that is atypical of most old school Veterans organizations," said Hughes. "We’ll strive to improve our communications techniques to reach more Veterans, getting them assistance with VA support, community integration, and the camaraderie that we often miss after service."

Post 62 was re-established at Smith Mountain Lake in 2021. Prowse, Vice Commander Brian Keaton, Sr., and many other veterans have led an effort to reshape the American Legion into more than just a place to enjoy the comradery of one another. Standing firm in their simple two-word mission - "Help Veterans" - Post 62 has maintained a steady course in helping veterans get the benefits they deserve, to help their children obtain scholarships and to overcome the obstacles that can stand in the way of veterans when they return home. 

Along the way, members of Post 62 remain very active in the local community, regularly taking part in events and fundraisers that support veterans, such as the Military and First Responders Field of Honor held in June and the annual fireworks show held at Mitchell's Point Marina on July 4th, to name a few. Post 62 members are also willing to lend a helping to serve the needs of all others, from clearing fallen trees and limbs after storms and going to outlying communities to assist in cleanup efforts following catastrophes like Hurricane Helene last fall that affected so many in southwest Virginia and North Carolina. 

“We want our veterans to know they are a force in the community,” noted Keaton, Sr. He emphasizes that when soldiers return from combat, they are accustomed to serving their role in the military. "In the military, you are taught to stay in your lane. When you leave the military and return to society, there are 40 different lanes. It’s a difficult mindset to get out of. We help veterans realize they have as much to offer outside of the military as in it.” 

How Post 62 has been transformed since 2021 is a testament that can be aptly described as "being the Legion" - being active, supportive, serving, doing good for veterans, their families and for all others by being outside in the community, as well as welcoming the community inside, including during its monthly meetings held at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Moser Electric "The Barn" building in Moneta. "Our meetings are for American Legion Post 62 members, but we welcome anyone to come and sit in," said Keaton, Sr. "We are about full transparency. We are about helping veterans and we are proud to open our doors to anyone who wants to come in to see how we work. We work hard for everyone."

Those interested in making a donation to American Legion Post 62 Smith Mountain Lake may do so by check made payable to "American Legion Post 62 Smith Mountain Lake" and mailed to P.O. Box 1075, Moneta, VA 24121, or by using the accompanying QR code.