About Us

Veterans returning from World War II applied for the G.I. Joe Charter in 1946. The name G.I. Joe was chosen because it depicted the typical ‘Government Issue Joe’ portrayed by Bill Mauldin in popular cartoons. Constructed by Legionaires, the Post was dedicated in 1949. The original building had a dirt floor, woodstove and outhouse. It’s membership remained steady but small until the 60’s, when Jeffersontown started to grow.

The 90’s saw our membership grow, with the inclusion of Vietnam and Gulf War Veterans. Moreover, our Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion became functioning arms of the Post. In 1991, we became active in the Gaslight Festival, enabling active participation and contributions to community projects. In late 1994, we were honored by the State Department of the American Legion for our service to veterans, community involvement and recruiting.

Today our Post hosts multiple events yearly in the Jeffersontown Veterans Memorial Park, conducts one of (if not actually) the largest Flag Retirement Ceremony in the United States, hosts Gaslight Festival activities and serves veterans & their families in the community.

(1) We have a strong Service Officer program to support veterans access to the VA care system. We support veterans who are not even members of our Post.

(2) We support the stance of a strong National Defense and an active Homeland Security Force.

  (3) We promote Americanism by convening three major programs: (a) An Annual Memorial Day Program which is attended by approximately 400 people; (b) An Annual Veterans Day Program which has an attendance rivaling our Memorial Day Program; (c) The annual Flag Retirement ceremony, which is the largest in the U.S.A. and which is attended by very large crowds of members and guests. In addition to these events we are active in the Annual Gas-Lite Parade in Jeffersontown, Kentucky; we present community programs on “The Pledge of Allegiance” and proper display of the U.S.A. flag and U.S.A. flag history. We also support the Annual Veterans Day Parade in Louisville, Ky.

  (4) We support children and youth by assisting Boy and Girl Scout programs, offering financial support to local school sports teams and we strongly support our Jeffersontown High School Marine ROTC program. Also, we annually support The American Legion Boys State Program. We are a major sponsor of the annual Military Children’s Appreciation Day.