- December 4, 2025
American Legion Post 267 celebrated its 75th anniversary on Monday, Oct. 6. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
American Legion Post 267 celebrated its 75th anniversary with cake, pizza and a mayor's proclamation on Monday. Oct. 6. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
American Legion Post 267 is located at 156 New Britain Ave. in Ormond Beach. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 267 President Toni Elsworth and Ormond Beach Mayor Jason Leslie celebrate the Post's 75th anniversary on Monday. Oct. 6. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Post 267 Commander John Delage listens as Mayor Jason Leslie speaks during the 75th anniversary celebration on Monday, Oct. 6. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Mayor Jason Leslie issues a proclamation for Post 267 during the 75th anniversary celebration on Monday, Oct. 6. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Post 267 Commander John Delage shakes Mayor Jason Leslie's hand during the 75th anniversary celebration on Monday, Oct. 6. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
American Legion Riders Family Head Rob Smithers, Post 267 Commander John Delage, Mayor Jason Leslie, Sons of the American Legion Family Head Mark Olson, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 267 President Toni Elsworth, and City Commissioner Lori Tolland. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Florida American Legion 17th District Commander Jim Bowers speaks during the 75th anniversary celebration on Monday, Oct. 6. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 267 President Toni Elsworth speaks during the 75th anniversary celebration on Monday, Oct. 6. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Post 267 Commander John Delage presents Mayor Jason Leslie with a 75th anniversary T-shirt during the celebration on Monday, Oct. 6. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
It was a packed house full of veterans and family members decked in turquoise and chatting over drinks on bar tops as the American Legion Cassin Young Memorial Post 267 celebrated its 75th anniversary on Monday, Oct. 6.
The celebration took place on the same date Post 267 was chartered in 1950. It's named after World War II war hero and U.S. Navy Capt. Cassin Young, and provides a local space for veterans to connect and continue to serve their communities — this time through outreach and social events.
Post 267 and its auxiliary units raise and donate almost $80,000 a year to support community programs and veteran organizations, and retires about 7,000 American flags.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 267 President Toni Elsworth said it was an honor for the auxiliary to be part of the 75th anniversary. The American Legion Auxiliary was founded in 1919 for women who were associated with the Legion.
"Since that time, our sole purpose is to support our veterans and our community," Elsworth said. "And we have an awesome, awesome auxiliary that supports everyone."
Post 267, colloquially known as "the friendliest post", has been a community fixture since 1950, housed in the almost 130-year-old former schoolhouse located at 156 New Britain Ave. since 1952.
Florida American Legion 17th District Commander Jim Bowers, who is a former Post 267 commander, said the difference between the charter date and the lease date is because originally, the building was leased by the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.
"That's the discrepancy," Bowers said. "But they met here and so on and so forth. You'll find that 75 years ago, the VFW and the American Legion worked very well together."
Bowers recognized other past living commanders of Post 267: Richard Yost, Dale Hayes, Gary Spencer, Willie Branch, Frank Sterling, David Jackson, Jack Sadouski and John Delage (current commander).
Some say the historic structure, known as the Old Youth Council Building, was built in 1895, but post members point to the memorial plaque on the building's exterior dating it to 1887.
According to Post 267, local folklore suggests the schoolhouse was formerly located on West Granada Boulevard where the current Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce stands today.
It has been referred to as Ormond's City Hall, but there is no evidence to show it functioned as such. It was, however, used for entertainment purposes, a central voting place and local court proceedings.
Over the past three years, Mayor Jason Leslie, who issued a proclamation for the anniversary, said the American Legion has invested almost $90,000 into building remodels and repairs. The building is owned by the city, but leased by Post 267. Nearly 50% of the building improvements have been completed directly by the American Legion, Leslie said.
"Post 267 has enhanced the lives of countless residents by honoring our nation's veterans, supporting local families and fostering unity with charitable outreach extended beyond service members to benefit the broader community," the mayor said in the proclamation. "... During this anniversary celebration, we honor the enduring legacy of American Legion Post 267, its firm commitment to veterans and 75 years of distinguished service within the Ormond Beach community."
