Post 86 is active in our community!

To publicly acknowledge the military service and sacrifices made by the Veteran and his/her family.  The pinning ceremony gives an opportunity for each veteran to share part of his or her story.  By doing so, a sense of meaning and purpose can be gained by the Veteran.      We Salute You!

Pat Lenderlong, US Army Veteran (click for photos)

John Moore, US Army Veteran (click for photo)

Allen Jones, US Army Veteran (click for photos) (click for video)


Next Cornelius Post 86 Monthly Meeting
Thursday, December 5, 2024

First Thursday of each month
6:00 p.m. free fish fry dinner  (arrive 5:45 p.m. for networking)
6:30 p.m. meeting

21215 Legion Street Cornelius NC 28031


Flag Retirement hosted by the Sons of the American Legion Detachment 86
October 10, 2024
(Click) for highlights of this beautiful and respectful ceremony. 


Veterans Day

Veterans Drive Thru Breakfast hosted by the North Mecklenburg Exchange Club   (click for photo)

Veterans Day Photos thanks to Smug Inc. , and the Town of Cornelius (link to photos)

We were honored to have Major General James F. Barnette as our keynote speaker.

Major General Barnette is the assistant adjutant general for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, headquartered at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.  He is responsible for the operational readiness of the fourth largest Air National Guard in the country.  He provides advice to the adjutant general in all military matters pertaining to air operations in the state.  He advocates nationally for the modernization of equipment and facilities for over 4,000 members in three wings, including 62 groups, squadrons and flights, representing four major commands.  The general develops and implements federal and state plans aimed toward absorbing Pennsylvania units into the Total Force.

The general received his commission at Officers Training School in the United States Air Force in 1968.  His background spans the active duty Air Force, the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard.  General Barnette also provides leadership as an advisor on the Air National Guard's Committee of Advisors, where he is a catalyst for the training and readiness of units nationwide.  He is a command pilot with more than 18,000 flying hours of which over 800 are combat flying hours.


Post 86 Activities and Engagements:

  • Semi-annual dinners for Veterans at VA Hospital in Salisbury, NC
  • Blue Star Banner Program - presentation of Blue Star Banners to families of all who are serving on active duty to honor the family member serving in the military
  • Sponsorship of American Legion Junior Baseball Teams
  • Sponsorship of four students (rising high school seniors) to Boys State, where they learn civics and form and run state and local governments and solve governmental problems
  • Military Funerals/Honor Guards which includes the Honor Guard, twenty-one gun salute, playing of Taps, and presentation of the American Flag which covered the veteran's casket, to the family of the deceased at funerals
  • American Legion Ladies Auxilary sponsoring of two students (rising high school seniors) to Girls State
  • Distribute Bibles to active duty Military
  • Distribute Poppies to the general public
  • Annually hold Memorial Day Service to honor all of the service men and women who died while serving our country
  • Annually hold Veterans Day Service to honor all of the men and women who have served our country