Cheers: Legion’s renovated bar area reopens

Legion events

The American Legion has plans to host events throughout the fall, including:

  • Family steak night, 6-9 p.m. Thursday
  • Karaoke, 5 p.m. to midnight Friday
  • The Turtleback Trailer Boys, 8-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5
  • Bingo Buddies Charity Bingo, 5-10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15
  • Truck-or-Treat, 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 
  • Fall Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 
  • Cancer Ball, 8 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Nov. 14
  • The renovated bar area at the American Legion Post 123 reopened last week after delays in funding and materials. Post commander Martii Moats said the space will be used for many events moving forward. (Sarah Nanos/The Oglethorpe Echo)
    The renovated bar area at the American Legion Post 123 reopened last week after delays in funding and materials. Post commander Martii Moats said the space will be used for many events moving forward. (Sarah Nanos/The Oglethorpe Echo)

    About 100 people attended the opening of the renovated bar space at the James T. Rayle American Legion Post 123 on Aug. 18.

     

    “Everybody’s excited,” said Legion post commander Martii Moats, who served in the U.S. Navy from 2001-09.

     

    Renovations in the bar space began in May and were expected to finish mid-July. Lack of funding and delayed materials caused construction delays.

     

    “It slowed us down tremendously,” Auxiliary president and bar manager Melisa Gabriel said. “We were down for about three or four months, but we were still operating out of the back.”

     

    The Post has welcomed veterans from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces since its construction in 1951. In renovating the space, the hope is veteran membership will increase.

     

    “We’ve had a lot of new faces,” Gabriel said. 

     

    The Post has kept several of its regular events, such as veterans breakfasts and steak nights, but has also introduced other activities.

     

    During the week, the bar will host steak nights, family karaoke and will have an adults only night on Saturdays with a live band. The bar will also host watch parties for Georgia football games.

     

    “We’re branching out into making everything family oriented,” Gabriel said. 

     

    The Post also hosts a Bingo Buddies night on Tuesdays. Donations made during the events go toward local organizations, such as the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter, as well as The Post itself.

     

    “That’s our biggest holdup,” Moats said. “We’re just not making enough money.”

     

    Renovations on the building will continue beyond the bar. New paint, floors and an updated dance hall are future projects.

     

    “A year from now, in my mind, the whole place has been freshly painted, redone,” Moats said. “We love to see people renting out the hall to have their events.”

     

    Beyond funding, Moats said she hopes the change will allow for more participation, noting that one of her goals is to support and encourage younger veterans.

     

    “Just sit and talk to one another about the things we’re going through because we can always identify with each other,” Moats said. “To me, that’s one of the biggest things, is just having that camaraderie again.”