WHEELING — American Legion Post 1 in Wheeling has been around longer than any Legion post in America, spending the last 106 years as a champion of military veterans in the United States.

There’s a secret to that longevity according to Legion National Commander James LaCoursiere. Post 1’s main mission may be to support veterans, but their support of the entire Wheeling community has made it an indispensable part of the Ohio Valley.

“To have a post here for 106 years lets us know that the post follows the principles and values of the American Legion and that they’re embedded in the community,” LaCoursiere said. “It says that they’re doing all the right things and that they are a vital part of the community.”

Post 1 celebrated that century-plus as part of the American Legion and the fabric of Wheeling throughout Friday, including taking special time to honor and recognize those veterans who may need a little extra support.

The celebration began Friday morning at Wheeling Park with the annual “Be The One” walk. Post 1 members along with representatives from WesBanco took a 2.2-mile trek around the park, symbolizing the 22 military veterans each day lost to suicide.

“I’ve personally realized over the years that, people in my generation who served, we were just told to suck it up, buttercup,” said Post 1 Commander John Powell. “We have to realize and we have to let veterans know that it’s OK to not be OK.”

Powell said he had recently reached out to the wife of a Vietnam veteran in another state who told him of the struggles he had faced over the years. Powell surmised that her husband likely suffered from undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder.

“He had been paying out of pocket to see professional doctors, and there’s help for him,” Powell said. “I was able to reach out and get him connected with a veteran service officer and his claim is underway. He’s into the fold and he’s being taken care of.”

That mission holds special meaning for LaCoursiere, who said he had gone through his own dark times a few years ago, and wants to be a beacon for others, to let them know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

“It’s what we consider the ‘hidden wounds,'” he said. “There are so many variables in those hidden wounds. We’re trying to let them know that we are there for them. I’m committed to not leaving someone’s side unless I know that they’re 100%, that they’re OK.”

WesBanco representatives also presented Post 1 with a check to benefit the American Legion Veterans and Children Foundation.

The day concluded with a birthday dinner at Post 1 headquarters with LaCoursiere as the guest of honor. Post 1 members and other guest were able to reminisce about the milestones the post has reached in its long and storied history, while looking with hope and excitement toward the milestones to come.

Powell said the artifacts displayed at the Post 1 headquarters best tell the post’s tale, from the signed picture and thank you letter from 1920 from Gen. John J. Pershing, who served as commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I to the documents telling the story of the 100 Legionnaires who became special police officers in the Great Flood of 1936, camping on the police station floor and eating bologna sandwiches from Wheeling Electric, while commandeering boats and handing out supplies donated by other Legion posts from around the state and the country.

Powell said that devotion to community goes back to the American Legion’s four pillars – veterans affairs and rehabilitation, Americanism, national security and children and youth.

“When you follow those guidelines, it really helps you stay on focus with your mission,” Powell said. “But, really, it’s just veterans serving veterans. It’s connecting with veterans. We all have a common interest and sometimes it’s just the camaraderie we miss.

“Every veteran will tell you that one thing they miss is the camaraderie,” Powell added, “and I thing the American Legion really allows us to do that.”