Sumter's American Legion Post 202 hosts appreciation luncheon for veterans

Sumter's American Legion Post 202 hosted a Military Veteran Appreciation Day luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 9, at Shaw Air Force Base's Memorial Lake, serving hot dogs, hamburgers, fish, chicken and more to the brave men and women who served.

According to Sumter Item archives, Post 202 was the second Black American Post to be chartered in South Carolina. It was activated in the Lincoln High School auditorium. The post received a temporary charter in September 1951 and grew from 23 members to more than 100 active members in its first two years, making Post 202 the largest active post in South Carolina for Black veterans. Dr. E.C. Jones, who initiated the idea of a post for Sumter and Sumter County, served as post commander.