For the price of just $1, Gunnison’s American Legion Post 54 has secured 99 more years in its original building. But the insignificant dollar amount hardly captures the partnership, community spirit and sacrifice that have gone into preserving the space for local veterans.
First built by World War I veterans in 1928, the post building serves as a resource to help returning service members access benefits, financing and emotional support. With 99 more years guaranteed at the site, local veteran and civilian leaders are looking forward to continuing to acknowledge these key members of the Gunnison Valley.
“They built it with the intent of continuously enhancing the community,” said Veteran Services Officer Stephen Otero during a special celebration with Legionnaires and city officials on Tuesday.
Though there were still almost 25 years left on the previous lease, City Manager Amanda Wilson and Commander John Nelson recently decided it was time for an update.
“Our Parks and Recreation Master Plan is all inclusive of publicly owned parks, which includes Legion Park,” said Wilson. “So, as this is one of the locations we’re visioning for the next 10 plus years, understanding the plans for the Legion moving forward, and incorporating those into the park master planning efforts, is super important so that we’re not competing or in conflict.”
While the logistics are important, Wilson also stressed that the real significance of this update was to give community members peace of mind that their gathering space was safe and protected.
“I’m looking forward to the future, us continuing to enhance how we’re honoring veterans within the same space,” she said. “Making sure that we remember and honor those that have served is super critical, and a lot of that effort does include having a physical space.”
“Gunnison County has a decent saturation of veterans. Out of our 18,000 total [county residents], we’ve got around 800 to 850 veterans here,” he said, noting that he uses the space as well. “Having a facility like this gives us the opportunity to have a very private, welcoming, warm location for a veteran to come in and potentially talk to me about some very challenging aspects of their life.” Otero helps veterans in the valley receive and utilize their benefits, distributing state based grant money to veterans while also providing them with emotional assistance.
“I hope to encourage people to be healthy and to take charge of their life and their benefits,” he said. “And hopefully leverage those benefits to better their lives and better themselves, which translates into everybody being a little bit happier in the community.”
The new lease was officially signed Jan. 1.
“So this is just a thank you to the city council,” said Nelson, praising the importance of the gathering space. Nelson and Gunnison Mayor Diego Plata also gave special kudos to Wilson and former mayor Jim Gelwicks for their contributions.
“It’s great that Gunnison is doing this, and that the Legion is able to work this out. I’m proud of everybody, proud to be a part of the community, proud to be a part of the Legion. I get emotional when I think about it,” said Mike Callihan, local Legionnaire and a longtime figure in Colorado state politics. On the way out after the celebration, he pointed out the lists of veterans from various wars decorating the walls.
“[The Legion] has a long, proud history,” said Gelwicks, looking towards the future of what the space will continue to add to the community.
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