American Legion John S. Sutton Post 517 is celebrating it’s 76th anniversary on Friday, November 15th.
Post 517 was created following the signing of Executive Order 9981 by President Harry S. Truman on July 26, 1948. EO 9981 created the President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services and mandated desegregation of the U.S. military.
Post 517 is named after 19 year old John S. Sutton of Ware County. Sutton, a army private, was killed in action in 1944.
The Waycross post is lead by Commander Larry Lockey who took the post in October, 2021. There are 88 active members who work to improve the lives of fellow veterans throughout the community.
“We are there to help all our veterans,” said Lockey. “There are different programs to help people with their benefits. We have assigned people to help. We also help the spouses of veterans who are abroad.”
As commander of the post, Lockey continues to attend training to stay abreast of the issues facing veterans.
“The biggest concerns are the homelessness and suicides among veterans,” said Lockey. “If I can help them get some help, I will drive them to the VA clinic.”
In addition to helping with benefits and homelessness, AL Post 517 attends the memorial services of fellow veterans, provides Christmas for veterans, collects and distributes school supplies to Ware County students and joins with Post 9 from Jacksonville to provide motorcycle escorts as witnessed by the honor ride given for Sgt. K. L. Sanders in Waycross. Post 517 is in the process of forming a local rider unit.
American Legion John Sutton Post 517 welcomes veterans from all branches of service and their families to participate. There is a women’s auxiliary and a Sons of the American Legion unit.
“We are looking forward to increasing our membership to help all our veterans,” Lockey adds.
The 2024-2025 Post 517 officers are Commander Larry Lockey, Vice Commander Ernest Lockey, Sr., Financial Officer Terri Smith, Post Adjutant William Leaphart, Jr. and Emeritus Commander Anthony Dixon.
American Legion John S. Sutton Post 517 is located at 710 Dorothy Street, Waycross. For more information, contact Commander Larry Lockey at 912-816-8581.
