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A woman leads the charge in Decatur Legion Post's battle for survival

Herald & Review - 7/29/2019

Jul. 29--DECATUR -- Just as American Legion Castle Williams Post 105 readies the troops to battle for its survival, it handed over the top command job to a woman for the first time in its almost 100-year history.

At a ceremony on Sunday at the Post's Decatur headquarters, Army veteran Gail Leonard was invested as Post Commander. Marine Corps veteran Philip Race, 60, took over the No. 2 command slot as Senior Vice Commander while Barbara Jackson, 54, an Army and Air Force veteran, became the Junior Vice Commander.

Post 105, with some 600 members, only has three female veterans and they all now hold command positions with Army vet Maria Karmatzis continuing to serve as Sergeant At Arms. Confronting them all on the battlefield of survival is recruiting enough new blood, male or female, to keep the Post marching into its next century.

"That is one of my big challenges, yes," said Leonard, 68.

She served in the Army from 1971 to 1980, a time when female soldiers were still something of a novelty, and said she is used to blazing a trail and finding her own way ahead.

"You just have to keep trying, talk to people, invite them in and brainstorm new ideas, see what we can do to attract people," Leonard said. "I think sometimes with the younger veterans, they think 'Well, I've served my time in the military, I'm out now and I'm done.'"

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What the Legion offers, however, is camaraderie and an understanding ear from those who know the struggles of returning military. There is also the opportunity to take part in activities to support veterans and the satisfaction that comes from being part of something worthwhile and honorable. Race, the former Marine, is proud to be serving with Leonard and believes they are going to win the war for survival in the end.

"We've certainly got our task cut out for us but we're going to work good together," he said. "And I know we can do it."

Jackson, just settling in to her command post, said some of the male members might see women running the show as a "bit of a culture shock," but she also said it's time for new ideas. "I think it's going to be challenging, but to have a woman involved is also just really refreshing," she added.

One of Post 105's oldest members is 92-year-old World War II Navy veteran Edgar Cassell. He's the bugler for the Macon County Honor Guard, the group that does the military rites at veterans' funerals, and said he's seen what happens if the recruitment battle is lost.

"Posts just fold up and fade away," he said.

Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid

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