"All the old guys are dying off, and the younger guys think it's just a bar where old folks talk about war stories. But it's not. It's a brotherhood."
American flags wave in front of The American Legion Post 21 in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 28, 2024. The American Legion is the largest U.S. veterans organization with more than 1.6 million members across the nation. Post 21 was established February 28, 1948. Post 21 houses members of the American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion. However, numbers and participation have been dwindling in past decades as members have been passing away and membership has become stagnant.
Ellie McDonald and Art Tipton stand behind the bar at the American Legion Post 21 in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 16, 2024. Ellie, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, has been bartending at Post 21 for a year and a half, while Art has been a member for decades. Art is also the treasurer of Post 21, but he is retiring from his position November 11; the same day as Veterans Day and his birthday.
A truck with a Purple Heart license plate, Thank a Veteran sticker, and a POW/MIA sticker sits outside of The American Legion's Post 21 in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 17, 2024.
Bob Powell shows the camera a photo of him during his service in Vietnam in 1968 while sitting at the bar at The American Legion's Post 21 in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 17, 2024. Bob served from 1968 until May 1969 before being honorably discharged after he tripped a grenade, leaving him in a severe condition and hospitalized for nine months. During his stay in the hospital, he lost over seventy-five pounds. When he returned home, he says he faced severe scrutiny. "People called me a baby killer, no one talked about it. My parents didn't even talk about it. We ignored it. It's how it was." When asked if he would do it over he says, " I'd do it all again in a heartbeat."
Howard Sharpe strikes the cue ball during a game of pool at the American Legion's Post 21 in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 28, 2024.
"This guy's a master. Come on Howie! "
Karen Riley, a member of The American Legion's Auxiliary, packs treat baskets in preparation for The American Legion Post 21's Kids Halloween Party in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 23, 2024.
"Nobody wants to step up"
Jim Kuska
Jim Kuska sits at The American Legion's Post 21 in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 23, 2024. Jim was deployed shortly after his wife became pregnant and was sent to Fort Rucker (now Fort Novesel) in Alabama to train. After his training, he was stationed in Germany as a military truck driver. Jim joined The American Legion forty-five years ago and agrees that participation isn't what it used to be.
Chase Malloy and Howard Sharpe play a game of pool at The American Legion's Post 21 in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 28, 2024. Chase is one of the youngest people that frequents the bar, but many know him as, "the comedian".
"I don't intend to go to the pearly white gates without doing everything I can do."
Randy Grey
Randy Grey and Bob Powell sit together at The American Legion's Post 21 in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 17. 2024. Randy graduated high school in 1976 and enlisted in the army in 1977. He was an army medic, and after he came back, he served in the Ohio University Police Department for forty-two years (thirty-two full-time, ten part-time).
A flyer for a Celebration of Life memorial for George Hess is posted on the Post 21's bulletin board at The American Legion Post 21 in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 23, 2024.
Diane Moore works the bar at The American Legion Post 21 in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 17, 2024. During the day, the bar stays practically empty, and there tends to be only one to two bartenders working at a time.
Randy Grey looks at the wall of past Post 21 Commanders. Since The Post's conception there have been 96 differenct commanders, however only thirteen, including Randy, remain alive. Randy explains that, "all the old guys are dying off, and the younger guys think it's just a bar where old folks talk about war stories. But it's not. It's a brotherhood."