Charter celebration

By Submitted by Rachel Friederich Washington DOC communications • January 21, 2020 4:45 pm
Photos by Rachel Friederich David Hodgeboom, right, presents an incarcerated veteran at Stafford Creek Corrections Center with a framed charter for the prison’s American Legion post. Hodgeboom is a U.S. Army veteran and serves on the American Legion National Executive Committee.
Photos by Rachel Friederich David Hodgeboom, right, presents an incarcerated veteran at Stafford Creek Corrections Center with a framed charter for the prison’s American Legion post. Hodgeboom is a U.S. Army veteran and serves on the American Legion National Executive Committee.

By Rachel Friederich

Washington DOC communications

Stafford Creek Corrections Center has become the first prison in Washington state to have an officially recognized American Legion post.

A celebration took place Jan. 15 at the prison, attended by members of the American Legion National Executive Committee. The newly established AL Post 23 is composed of incarcerated individuals who are also veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

Veterans at the correctional facility started holding American Legion meetings in early 2019 after obtaining a temporary charter. About 15 to 20 inmates attended the initial meetings. Now, about 40 incarcerated veterans are involved in American Legion activities, according to prison officials.

They hold meetings once a month, where they practice American Legion rituals such as posting of colors, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and setting up a POW/MIA table to honor fallen veterans. They also discuss current events and follow congressional bills related to veterans issues.

An inmate at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center shakes the hand of American Legion member Frank Sterling, right. Sterling was one of the speakers during the Jan. 15 charter presentation ceremony.

An inmate at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center shakes the hand of American Legion member Frank Sterling, right. Sterling was one of the speakers during the Jan. 15 charter presentation ceremony.