SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. — No one is quite sure why South Pittsburg's annual $3,000 donation to the Marion County American Legion Post 62 was stopped in 2008, but City Commissioner Jimmy Wigfall has been working to resolve the issue since September.
"I think maybe we need to reinstate that [donation] where we can do the maintenance and stuff it takes to keep that building from falling down," Wigfall said. "The building is getting in pretty bad shape."
This week the South Pittsburg City Commission voted unanimously to do so.
City Attorney Billy Gouger said that since the post is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, it is eligible for appropriations from the city.
"There's really no limit on that," he said.
Wigfall said many veterans are young men these days, and they're not joining the American Legion after their service is over.
"[The American Legion] is not getting a lot of support right now," he said. "When they [the younger veterans] get a little older, they'll all start joining. Then it'll be one big crowd over there, and they can start taking care of their own stuff."
In the meantime, though, "we probably need to make that donation," he said.
Mayor Jane Dawkins said she believes there is money in this year's county budget for an additional donation to the organization, too.
"I'm sure those folks will be glad to hear about it," she said.
There has always been a misconception by the public that the city owns the building, but Dawkins said it doesn't.
The nearly 100-year-old building has been the post's home since just after World War I, when it quickly became a place for returning veterans to gather.
Now, Wigfall said, the building is in need of significant repairs and renovations.
He said city workers and volunteers could do much of the needed work.
"Most of the veterans that participate are quite elderly, and they can't do a lot of that stuff," Wigfall said. "We could get a group together and go over there and paint the building. We could work inside and out."
Gouger said he would be willing to volunteer his time and expertise to help make sure all the proper procedures are being followed so the organization can use the money and any volunteers appropriately.
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.