American Legion post hands out free chicken dinners in Harlingen

HARLINGEN — A line of cars snaked through the parking lot outside the American Legion Post 205, where the post’s members were hard at work passing out 400 free chicken dinners to the community Saturday.

The American Legion is a nonprofit organization that helps to connect veterans to essential services and aid their communities.

According to Post Commander Bruce Burkett, members at this post do everything from serving as honor guards at the funeral services of fallen veterans to helping connect them with essential social services.

This post started in 1919 and is one of the oldest in the state, serving as an open community space for both veterans and residents.

Burkett says that while they often ask the community for monetary help during the year for their programs and events, this annual event is a way to express their thanks for the helping hand.

“Our mission is to give back to the community. We bring money in, and then we turn right back around and give it out,” Burkett said.