“WE ARE LEGION” POST 82 (Nashville, TN)

EXCERPT FROM AN ONGOING LONG TERM PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT ABOUT THE LEGION HALL’S PLACE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

AMERICAN LEGION POST 184: NASHVILLE, TENNESEE

Honky Tonk Tuesday

As the spectre of COVID and closures, J6, and 2021 in general began to wane, we embarked on a transformative road-based trip around the United States. One that would set off a chain of events leading to multiple follow-on trips. The goal was to look for some kind of answers.

What happened?

Who the fuck are we, really?

Along the way we found ourselves in Nashville. In that particular moment in time the non-stop turquoise boots and hats bachelorette Downtown set against the localized fear of a first winter and new variants. Cautious first steps into the light for many.

We found ourselves at the American Legion Post 82 for “Honky Tonk Tuesdays”

More accurately, for the first return of this special space and tradition.

Unsure what to expect, lost from a few thousand miles looking for “America”, we found people of every age, race, size and costume arriving.

Inside was grounded in time. Purpose built as a community home for Veterans.

From the NashvIlle Post 82 website:

You'll find a lot of music at our post because it's universal, across generations, demographics, and genres. As long as music continues to draw veterans to our post, we'll continue to embrace it.

Social dances, with strangers sharing spaces, for the first time in a year.

Good food coming in hot from a trailer out back.

Great music.

So began my search to discover how other American Legion Posts serve not only their members, but their community at large. From music, to bowling alleys, skating rinks to BBQ’s.

If you are ever in Nashville, show your support:

https://nashvillepost82.org/

Look for more of this work in posts to come.

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