Howard Larinan wishes today he had joined the American Legion when he first got out of the military.

“It’s a great organization. We do so many things for veterans,” he said recently.

Larinan, who was born and raised in Foley and graduated from Foley High school in 1955, has been a member of Post 99 for 31 years. He has held a number of post positions, including historian, executive member and executive committee chairman.

“I have been the Post Adjutant for the last 10 years. My duties as the adjutant are numerous. The adjutant holds the same relative position in the post as the secretary of any organized body.”

Larinan describes the adjutant as comparable to the “first sergeant” of a military company.

“Post activities revolve around the Adjutant. Most posts find it wise to retain a good adjutant in office over a period of years. The adjutant may well be regarded as the ‘community person’ in the post.”

While the post commander’s duties are largely inspirational and executive, Larinan said the adjutant’s are administrative.

“The Commander navigates the ship, but the Adjutant is the engineer who runs the ship’s machinery,” Larinan said.

As the Post Adjutant, Larinan is the personnel officer. He maintains membership records, minutes of meetings, checks up on and assists post officers and committees, and publishes official orders, announcements and instructions. In his position, Larinan also maintains contact with Post 99’s 508 members, who are from all branches of military service. Thus, Larinan is of the opinion that it is to the adjutant’s advantage to develop a comprehensive filing system.

Larinan retired from theAir Force as a senior master sergeant on April 1, 1977, after 22 years service. In the Air Force, he was in the communications maintenance field. Following Air Force retirement, he began a civil service career at Pensacola Naval Air Station. He retired as a supervisor of an electronics calibration laboratory in 1993, completing a total of 37 years working for the government.

Asked what he considered his best job in the military, Larinan cited his selection for a classified nuclear detection assignment.

Today, Larinan encourages local veterans to join the American Legion.

“Our dues aren’t high — $35 annually — and combined with those of your fellow members they support the valuable work the American Legion performs on behalf of all veterans to ensure continued recognition of the contribution veterans have made and protection of the benefits they have earned by serving in America’s armed forces.”

Legion membership also includes special savings and discounts on a wide variety of products and services, Larinan said, but that is secondary to the camaraderie and strengthening of patriotic values that Legion membership affords.

Those interested in more information about joining American Legion Post 99 can call Larinan at 251-943-5625.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest veterans’ service organization, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to fellow service members and veterans.