MOREHEAD, Ky. — A Kentucky American Legion is making history with the recent appointment of its new post commander.
Almost every morning, American Legion Post 126 Commander Sadee Louise sets the atmosphere inside its canteen. It's a place she said is rich in a community of veterans and their friends and families.
“I feel like this place is a little bit like cheering when we have our person that comes in at the same time every day after work and everybody says his name when he walks through the door, just like, 'Everybody knows everybody,'” Louise said. “We know how to pick on each other and make each other giggle. I annoy them to no end with my horrible dad jokes.”
It holds events, celebrations and veteran breakfasts, plus clubs such as the Ladies Auxiliary, Sons of the Legion and Friends of the Legion join them weekly.
Louise is a U.S. Navy veteran and said she started working at the Post as a bartender. She has since seen major changes and even some excitement she did not expect, adding she is both humbled and happy to help the post make history as its first woman post commander.
“I had a lot of traditionally male jobs, and I've not always been embraced in those right away," Louise said. "I've always run away from the female-doing-the-job aspect of it, and I've tried to just be proficient, be prepared and do the job as well as I could. And sometimes it takes a little bit longer to prove.”
But she said the post has been one of the most inviting and inclusive spaces she has joined.
“I think it's just that I'm the person for the job right now, and I hope that I can do it well," she said. "I've been fortunate to have a lot of them here who have been (mentors) to me for a very long time, past commanders ... and they're still available to help me learn and figure it out. They were just ready to step away. Everybody has different phases in their life."
She added she’s grateful for those who have made it family-oriented and offered their support.
Outgoing commander Larry Porter presented Louise her new title and colors.
Correction: A previous version of this story had a headline saying the Morehead VFW hired a new commander. It is the American Legion and the error has been corrected. (July 30, 2024)