American Legion
Post 91 is undergoing a revitalization

By Carrie A. Mizell

With the swearing in of a new commander and adjutant last week, American Legion Post 91 is moving into a new season of service for local veterans.
In the near future, American Legion Post 91 will begin holding bingo nights and offering free wireless Internet access for all veterans. Members are also looking at putting in a big screen television to further encourage camaraderie among Veterans.

New adjutant Mark Hilliard said that he and new commander Jessie Crews are working together to revitalize Post 91 and take the organization into a new direction in 2012. Hilliard explained that there are currently 60 to 70 veterans on the membership roll, however just 12 members attended the Thursday night meeting.
“Membership has been sparse at best,” Hilliard said. “We want to encourage all veterans to join and get involved with the community and to promote the strong patriotic values of our American way of life.”
Through membership in American Legion Post 91, veterans network with Gilchrist County Veterans Service Officer Jim Mash and Hilliard, who works as local veteran employment representative, a position created by Florida Crown Workforce Career Center. Mash assists veterans with receiving VA benefit and Hilliard provides employment assistance.
According to Hilliard, there is a 13 percent unemployment rate for veterans in the community and the latest statistics show there are 1600 veterans living in the area.
“That number is bound to rise as troops are withdrawn from Iraq,” Hilliard said. “With the economy in the shape it’s in, it’s very important to get veterans into the fold so they can learn about the benefits they are due and employment opportunities.”
A Rock Bluff native, Hilliard served 20 years in the Army after graduating from Bell High School. Hilliard retired from the armed forces in 2005 and was hired by Florida Crown Workforce as local veteran employment representative and currently serves all veterans in Gilchrist, Dixie, Columbia and Union counties.
While working out of the Florida Crown office in Trenton, Hilliard will be able to offer veterans free computer skills training, interview techniques training and job search help.
“I have the resources to help veterans get the skill set they need to find a job,” Hilliard said. “We also have a program for homeless veterans in the community to help them get back on their feet and become job ready.”
For more information on American Legion Post 91, call Mark Hilliard at (352) 221-4783. Veterans seeking employment assistance can call Hilliard at Florida Crown Workforce at (352) 463-3677 ext. 108. To learn more about VA benefits, call Jim Mash at 463-3188.