Post 354 2026 Officer Installation

At our July meeting, James River Post 354 officially installed our recently elected officers for the 2026-2027 year!

We are incredibly grateful to these dedicated leaders who have stepped up to guide our post, support our local veterans, and serve our community. Thank you for your commitment to the legacy of the American Legion.

Let’s wish our new officers a successful and impactful year ahead!

Post 354 2026 4th of July Event

Post 354 proudly celebrated 250 Years of American Independence by hosting a wonderful Fourth of July party at the Post, bringing together Legionnaires, Auxiliary members, families, friends, and our community to honor America's birthday. It was a day filled with fellowship, laughter, delicious food, and patriotic spirit as we reflected on the freedoms and values that make our nation so special.

Events like these are only possible because of the dedication and hard work of our volunteers. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of the Legionnaires and Auxiliary members who helped plan, organize, set up, serve, and clean up after the event. Your time, teamwork, and commitment made the celebration a tremendous success and created a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who attended!

Post 354 Honors Distinguished Volunteers 

At the June Monthly Meeting of Post 354, special recognition was given to three dedicated members whose exceptional service and leadership have made a lasting and transformative impact on the Post and its mission. Post Commander Bobby Arnold formally honored Jack Kanis, who served as Historian; Jerry Branch, who oversaw Rentals; and David Field, who served as Adjutant.

As a token of appreciation and gratitude, Commander Bobby Arnold presented each recipient with a commemorative gift in recognition of their outstanding efforts and steadfast support. Their exemplary service reflects the values of dedication, leadership, and teamwork that are the foundation of Post 354, and the membership extends its sincere thanks for their remarkable contributions.

Post 354 hosts cookout for spinal cord injury patients

Despite a light rain, Post 354 welcomed inpatients from the Richmond VA Medical Center for a cookout on the river filled with warmth and fellowship.

As the veterans arrived, students from Goochland High School invited them inside and spent time listening to their stories and learning about their experiences. The conversations quickly became the highlight of the day, with the veterans especially enjoying their interactions with the students.

The students also rolled up their sleeves to help Post 354 member Mike Cook and Jerry Branch prepare the meal, turning a simple cookout into a meaningful afternoon of service, gratitude, and connection across generations.

Adaptive Water Sports

Post 354 member John Sharpe volunteered with the Lake of the Woods Adaptive Water Sports organization during its Wounded Warriors and First Responders event on June 6, 2026.

The Richmond VA Medical Center also participated, bringing six spinal cord injury inpatients and six outpatients to enjoy a day of adaptive water sports, including water skiing, tubing, boat rides, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Memorial Day Flag Placing Event at Virginia Veterans Cemetery Amelia 2026

Members of American Legion Post 354 recently joined fellow veterans, families, and community volunteers in the annual Flag Placing Event at Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia County. This meaningful tradition serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women who answered our nation’s call to service.

As volunteers carefully placed American flags at each gravesite, the cemetery became a visible tribute to courage, duty, and patriotism. Every flag represented a life dedicated to protecting the freedoms we enjoy today, and every marker told a story of service, commitment, and sacrifice. For the members of Post 354, participation in this event was more than a ceremonial act; it was an opportunity to honor fallen comrades and ensure their legacy is never forgotten.

Post 354's 52nd Annual Legion Crabfeast was a success!

Turnout was great, the weather was great, and it was a lot of fun!

Post 354's 2025 Members Picnic

Post 354's 2025 Poppy Drive broke a new record!

Thanks to the volunteers who worked 6 locations, they all did a great job!

For the fourth straight year, American Legion Post 354 hosted the annual Richmond Bluegrass Jam in May.  This daylong event brings together 20 bluegrass and Americana bands playing on multiple stages to raise money for veterans and their families through the Richmond Fisher House and Liberation Veteran Services. This year’s event raised more than $40,000 for those two organizations, making it the biggest fundraising year in the Jam’s fourteen-year history. All of the bands donated their time, and Post 354 donated the space for the day.

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Post 354 volunteers place flags at Virginia Veterans Cemetery Amelia in preparation for Veterans Day 2024

From the Post 354 Commander

It doesn’t get any better than this! Today’s post cleanup was truly a success thanks to the many who joined us and helped.

Special thanks to:

·      Alpha Company Fort Gregg Adams

·      JROTC James River High School

·      ROTC program University of Richmond

·      and the Post 354 members who attended.

And special thanks to Mission barbecue for providing a delicious lunch.

It was wonderful to see all and share stories and express our mutual admiration and concern for each other. I sat at a table during lunch, and one of our Post members who is a Vietnam veteran shared his experience coming home, and how he had to go into the return flight plane’s restroom and change out of this uniform before he arrived back in the states due to the social climate at that time. At the table with me for several AIT students from Fort Gregg Adams, it was powerful for them to hear this message, and to know we are all connected in our service to our Nation. 

Bobby Arnold

Post 354 Commander

Troop Court of Honor

Post 354 was pleased to support Boy Scout Troop 1829 by providing its facilities for their Court of Honor. This is a formal recognition with families, friends, and the public in attendance. All Scouts who have moved up to any rank except Eagle Scout, or who have earned merit badges since the last court of honor, are recognized.

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Memorial Day Ceremony 2022

Post 354 Commander, Bobby Arnold, was Master of Ceremonies for this years Memorial Day Ceremony,  which was held at the Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, and included guest speaker Senator Amanda Chase, 11th District Virginia.

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Post Everlasting

Post Everlasting is an annual sacred ritual performed by American Legion members honoring the recently deceased members of their respective Post.  It is a time to honor their memory and recognize their contribution to the Freedom of America.

This year, Post 354 honored, Earnest F Barham, Army National Guard 20 yrs, and James W McLees, US Navy 20 yrs.