COMMANDER | JEN HOLDEN

I’m excited to share some great news that directly impacts our Post and its ability to serve the veteran community. On October 22, 2024, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that exempts veterans’ organizations, like our own, from the requirement to obtain entertainment and public dance licenses. This exemption is a huge win for us and for similar organizations throughout the county.

This change will allow us to focus more of our energy and resources on planning and hosting events without the burden of additional licensing fees and administrative requirements. As you know, one of the highlights of the year for our Post is VetFest, where we celebrate and honor all who have served our country. This new ordinance will streamline the process for planning future activities during VetFest, including entertainment, music, and social gatherings. We can now host these types of activities with greater ease, ensuring that our focus remains on celebrating veterans, promoting camaraderie, and engaging the community.

Beyond VetFest, this ordinance also affects many other events we hold throughout the year. Whether it’s our karaoke Fridays, holiday parties, memorial services, or fundraising events, this exemption allows us to host these gatherings more freely, creating even more opportunities to connect with one another and with the community. It will also allow us to grow our programs which are often supported through events featuring entertainment.

This exemption underscores the county’s recognition of the crucial role organizations like the American Legion play in supporting veterans and their families. By reducing these regulatory barriers, we are better equipped to focus on our mission: helping our veterans thrive, strengthening our community, and honoring those who have sacrificed so much.
As we move forward with these exciting developments, I encourage everyone to get involved in our upcoming events, particularly VetFest. The Parade will begin at 9:30am on the corner of Broadway and Woodward. We are looking for Veterans to participate in the parade or in the ceremony at the Post following the parade at 12pm. Please get in touch with me, Stef Holden, Paul McNamara, or Mike Frank if you want to participate.

Let’s take advantage of this newfound freedom to make our gatherings more impactful and enjoyable for all. Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to seeing you at our next event! For God and Country.

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