Thorsby could soon have an American Legion post again, for the first time in about 40 years.

American Legion officials are working to resurrect Thorsby’s post, which was last open in the late 1960s or early 1970s.

“You have to have at least 15 members, and we have six committed now,” said Phil Burnette, commander of the 23rd District, American Legion Department of Alabama. “There are a number of people we’ve left messages with, and we’ve sent mailouts across the county. I don’t anticipate having any problem at all.”

Burnette said he and 23rd District Vice-Commander Mike Welborn spoke with Thorsby Mayor Dearl Hilyer about the effort and found the town’s top official “very supportive.”

Burnette said Hilyer agreed to allow the post to meet at the Thorsby Annex, next to the town’s fire department.

Those interested in joining the post should attend an organizational meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. on March 24 at the annex.

The meeting will serve as an opportunity to establish bylaws, appoint initial officers and decide on a regular meeting time.

Burnette said officials wanted to revive the post because they think Chilton County is underserved, as there are only two posts, Post 6 on Enterprise Road and Post 343 in the West End community.

“There was a period where a lot of older members passed away or just became uninterested in club activities,” he said. “We’re trying to get younger veterans involved, to pick back up some of the things we want to be involved in.”

Among the Legion’s local projects are scouting and Boys and Girls State.

Also, an oratorical contest beginning at 9 a.m. on Feb. 18 is being sponsored by the 23rd District. The contest will be held at LeCroy Career/Technical Center.

Contestants will speak on aspects of the U.S. Constitution, and the winner will advance to higher levels of competition to compete for college scholarships.

“If we’re not involved, we’re not doing our job—what we were founded in 1919 to do,” Burnette said.

For more information on the Thorsby post or the oratorical contest, call Burnette at (205) 287-4386 or Welborn at 755-6509.

Information is also available at the American Legion website, www.legion.org.