01/07/2026
Legionnaires and Members,
Many of you may have seen the Fox 13 news segment last night or posts circulating on social media about the state of our Post. I want to take a moment to bring everyone up to date and clear the air.
First and foremost: there is no need to transfer your membership. We are still here, still operating, and still fighting for the future of Post 148.
Over the last five years, like many older Posts, we’ve been battling ongoing expenses and repairs. We’ve slowed the financial bleeding, but with an aging building, fixing one issue often reveals two more. The news piece added a bit of drama — as TV tends to do — but the core message is true: we need more of our members to come in and enjoy what we offer, or we will face difficult decisions.
Despite the challenges, we’ve made real progress. If you’ve visited recently, you’ve seen the upgrades:
Smart TVs throughout the Post, including new ones in the hall — all donated.
Fresh paint in the hall to brighten the space.
A new storm drain that has already solved the flooding on our screened porch.
These improvements may not be perfect or permanent, but they are meaningful steps forward with the resources we have.
At recent Executive Board meetings, we confirmed that we own our property outright. That gives us options — including appraisal, evaluating our assets, and exploring possibilities such as rebuilding, relocating, or expanding. We all know our current building and parking lot are too small for a Post of nearly 800 members, not counting our Auxiliary and Sons. We are bursting at the seams, and growth requires change.
However, no bank will consider financing any major project until we improve the way we do business. That starts with participation. Events, entertainment, and improvements cost money — and the only way to strengthen our Post is for our members to walk through the doors and support what we’re building.
“A Post is only as good as its members make it.” And we have incredible members stepping up every day. What we need now is more of you.
I especially want to see our younger members and families come in. Your voices matter. Your needs matter. This is not your grandfather’s American Legion anymore. Yes, we have a bar — but the bar is simply our daily fundraiser. We are here for veterans, families, community, and connection.
So I ask you: What can we do for you? Come in. Get involved. Share your ideas. Be part of this growing family and help shape the future of Post 148.
Together, we can move forward — stronger, smarter, and united.
Together as One
Andrew Davis
Commander
Alafia American Legion
Post 148
Riverview, FL
