American Legion Post 0227 Tustin   

Established in March of 1964, American Legion Post 227, Tustin, has been supporting veterans in Tustin and throughout Orange County for more than 50 years. 

On a national level, the role of the American Legion is to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the great wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and goodwill on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness. 

On a local level, the role of Post 227 is to sponsor and support veterans, their families, and surrounding communities in order to promote the awareness of the role veterans, both past and present, play in securing the freedoms and liberties that sustain this great country. This is done by communication, fund raising, and the sponsorship of programs and events that directly impact our members, veterans, and the community at large. 

Members 

The members of Tustin Post 227 are veterans who served in one of the five branches of the military during periods of conflict. Membership eligibility has been dictated by the U.S. Congress. The American Legion is lobbying to change the rules to any time period of service. The veteran need not have been in the area of the conflict. For example, time of eligibility during the Vietnam conflict is 1961-1975. During this time over 20 million veterans served but only 3 million were in Viet Nam or the oceans around or the air above. All 20 million are eligible for The American Legion.

The American Legion also authorizes a “Women’s Auxiliary” although women veterans are more that encouraged to join as members. The Tustin Post currently does not have a Women’s Auxiliary but we have women members. Also authorized, is a “Sons of The American Legion” for those whose parents or grandparents served.

 We are just starting to form such a group.  If you are interested in exploring membership in either group, please join us any Friday morning at 8:30 for coffee and camaraderie at Coco’s on Newport Avenue at Holt. We also encourage those who are not veterans to join us. We have a growing group of “Friends of The American Legion” who subscribe to our mission and wish to help us with our activities.

Our formal monthly meetings, the third Thursday of each month, are held at the Tustin School District Boardroom on C St. next to the Senior Center by Peppertree Park. The meetings start at 7:00 PM.   Below are some of our members’ thoughts of their service captured on video.

Mission

Tustin Post 227 is dedicated to support the well-being of Veterans as our primary focus.  Secondly, our focus is to foster Americanism and Patriotism in the Tustin area.  We send Veterans in need of some type of assistance to The Tierney Center.  There they are assigned a navigator to guide them to the best solutions and show them benefits of which they might not be aware.  In addition, we raise funds to support local charities enumerated on the Charities Tab.  Our Fund Raising Activities are enumerated on the Activities Page.

We promote Americanism and Patriotism through many activities here in Tustin.  We are proud to have a Color Guard that helps in that regard.  In addition, we work with Tustin Unified School District and sponsor awards and activities for local high schools. We give awards to Eagle Scout and outstanding middle schools students as well.

The Post has been honored by The Community Services Commission for our support and services provided to the City of Tustin.  We have a close relationship with City Leaders who can call on us to give support or advice.  Four of our Officers serve on the Veterans Advisory Committee for the City.  We have helped with tours of the blimp hangers in The Tustin Legacy and our Color Guard have presented Colors at various locations in remembrance of 9/11. 

We at Post 227 are proud of our participation in the various community activities such as Tustin Chili Cook-Off and Tustin Tiller Days.  Visit our Facebook page. We are committed to preserving the History of the Great Wars.  We are developing an archive of video interviews with those members who served in World War II, Korea Conflict, Vietnam and the latest Wars.  Videos of veteran interviews will be available to the public in the Members Tab. Veterans will be listed by Name.  Click on the name to link to the actual video interview.