years at the Veterans Administration hospital in Saginaw. Yahr then retired again and began to serve his community. He is now chairman of the Hope Township Park Commission, vice chair of the township road committee, and active at Floyd Church of God.
comedy nights, fish fries and usually one major event per month, as well as offering plenty of camaraderie and counseling. There also is a biker group, an auxiliary and sons of the American Legion detachment. “It’s very open, very friendly. You can’t replace the camaraderie.”
But mostly, he stands on guard for the American Legion.
Yahr said a new member, a veteran of the Persian Gulf era, recently sent him an email after being embraced at the club. The Sanford Legion is more like a family post. We do a lot for the community and the “He said how veterans,” he said. “We’re not a drinking much he club and not just an old guys’ club. enjoyed the club and it was so much fun. Yahr became post adjutant in 2014 He said he loved it and he really and since then, the group has been thanked me for inviting him out.” embraced by many new members. Yahr said he’s not in it for the glory. They are honorably discharged vetHe simply enjoys getting veterans to erans from every American service see what’s in it for them. branch.
“
“My job is to take care of members and the administrative part of the post,” he said. There were 344 members when Yahr became adjutant eight years ago. But today, Post 443 has 450 members and has surpassed nearby Midland Berryhill Post 165 in membership, Yahr said. Yahr said some American Legion posts are thought to be just drinking clubs. But he said his outfit is much different than that. “The Sanford Legion is more like a family post. We do a lot for the community and the veterans,” he said. “We’re not a drinking club and not just an old guys’ club.” They host burger nights, bingo,
“That’s my passion – membership,” he said. “I love going into a veteran’s home and talking to them about the Legion. “It doesn’t matter what branch of the service, when it comes down to it. We are all brothers and sisters. … Only a veteran can understand what a veteran’s gone through.” Yahr’s commitment to the Sanford American Legion was recognized when he was chosen the state’s Adjutant of the Year in 2017-2018. He admits that since his retirement, the post has become his mission. His wife, Joy, also helps. “She’s there at a lot of the events for me,” he said. “That’s the only way she sees me.”
Guess Who?
I am a journalist and television personality born in New York on June 3, 1967. Before becoming involved in media, I interned with the CIA. My mother was a renowned heiress and entrepreneur. I’ve risen to fame on a popular cable news channel where I host a nightly show. May / June 2022 • Senior Scope
7
