In Ahwatukee

Keeping veterans in the news ensures their service, sacrifices, and ongoing needs remain visible to the public, fostering awareness, support, and appreciation across our communities.

Ahwatukee Post 64 in the Community

Continuing the Legacy

Ultimately, keeping veterans in the newspaper ensures their legacy of service lives on. It reminds the public that while their military service may be behind them, their contributions to society continue every day. Veterans are leaders, mentors, and volunteers who strengthen the fabric of our communities. By keeping their stories in the spotlight, we ensure that their sacrifices are never overlooked and their ongoing work receives the recognition it deserves.

Adopt-A-Street – Phoenix Street Cleaning

Warner Rd and Elliot St Loop

Every article, feature, or profile published about veterans contributes to preserving our collective history. Newspapers serve as a permanent record of service, sacrifice, and achievement, ensuring that the experiences of past and present generations are not forgotten. For Post 64, being featured in the news also strengthens our mission by highlighting the positive impact veterans continue to make right here in Ahwatukee. Sharing these stories helps younger generations learn from the past and understand the importance of service, while also honoring those who paved the way.

Vet-Togethers

Local Veteran get togethers (Vet-togethers):

The Buzzed Goat is a local owed business that offers veteran, military & 1st responders a 15% discount! The are the home of our community engagement social events by allowing us to hold. 

An informal, no host gathering focused on camaraderie, shared experiences, & creating meaningful connection in causal setting for Happy Hour Connections, 1st & 4th Wednesday of the Month. OR A relaxed morning, no host meetup for Post 64 members, local veterans, & veterans’ families to connect, network, & enjoy community over coffee. 2nd & 3rd Wednesday of the Month.

The Ahwatukee Easter Parade – Lead the parade since ’93

Easter Day Paraded:

Every article, feature, or profile published about veterans contributes to preserving our collective history. Newspapers serve as a permanent record of service, sacrifice, and achievement, ensuring that the experiences of past and present generations are not forgotten. For Post 64, being featured in the news also strengthens our mission by highlighting the positive impact veterans continue to make right here in Ahwatukee. Sharing these stories helps younger generations learn from the past and understand the importance of service, while also honoring those who paved the way.

Poppy Drive @ Local Fry’s grocery stores

Memorial Day Fundraising/Veterans Day Fundraising:

After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe. Scientists attributed the growth to soils in France and Belgium becoming enriched with lime from the rubble left by the war. From the dirt and mud grew a beautiful red poppy. The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during battle following the publication of the wartime poem “In Flanders Fields.” The poem was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. while serving on the front lines.

On September 27, 1920, the poppy became the official flower of The American Legion family to memorialize the soldiers who fought and died during the war. In 1924, the distribution of poppies became a national program of The American Legion.

Led by the American Legion Auxiliary, each year members of The American Legion Family distribute poppies with a request that the person receiving the flower make a donation to support the future of veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs.

December 7th, 1941 – Day of Infamy Remembrance

Local Community Military Remembrance:

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day  
 
 A day to remember and honor the 2,403 Americans killed in the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941.  This day has a special meaning to me as my uncle, Charles Nicholas Charlton, was one of 1,177 sailors and marines who died on the USS Arizona.  His remains were not recovered, and he is entombed with his fellow shipmates.  
 Charles Nicholas Charlton was born July 5th, 1911, in Sitka, Alaska.   His father, John Charles Charlton, was a Marine assigned to the Sika Barracks.  His mother was Pelerin Simonoff and was Tlingit Creole.   He joined the Navy at 18 years of age in 1930 and completed boot camp at the US Naval Training Center in San Diego, California.  By June 1940, he was a Water Tender First Class Petty Officer assigned to battleship BB-39, USS Arizona.   His duty station was aft amidships and decks below the ship’s waterline.  
 The attack on Pearl Harbor from six Japanese aircraft carriers started at 7:50 AM on a Sunday.    At 7:55 AM, the ship’s air raid alarm was sounded, and the ship went to General Quarters with “All hands man your battle stations.”  Four bombs hit the Arizona.  At 8:06 AM, the last bomb hit the area of turret two and penetrated the armor deck near the magazines in the ship’s bow.  Seven seconds after the bomb hit, the forward magazine detonated and destroyed most of the interior structure of the ship.  The sides of the ship were blown out, and the gun’s turrets, conning tower, and much of the superstructure dropped into her wrecked hull, and fires burned for two days.    Within 90 minutes from the first attack of the 1,512 on board the Arizona, 1,177 were killed.  Of the 335 crewmen who survived, many were badly burned.
  My first observance of the USS Arizona was during my first deployment in August 1967 to Vietnam on board the Aircraft carrier USS Kittyhawk. I was one of the sailors wearing our dress white uniforms, “manning the rail,” to pay honor and respect to the crewmen of the USS Arizona.  As our ship moved slowly past the USS Arizona, we rendered a hand salute. From the carrier’s flight deck, some six feet high, I could see the remains of the USS Arizona underwater.   As I rendered a salute, I said a prayer for my uncle and myself, who were heading to Vietnam.  
  My father, William Roddy Charlton, enlisted in the US Army Reserve on December 7th, 1941, and was called to active duty on December 9th. He trained at Fort Roberts, California, and spent all of WW II in the Pacific Ocean, traveling from island to island.   His mother gave him my Uncle Charles Nicholas Charlton’s Purple Heart Medal.  Before my dad’s passing, he gave me his Medal.   I will pass the Medal on to my son Ryan William Charlton as a remembrance of an uncle I never met who made the ultimate sacrifice.
    “A Date Which Will Live In Infamy…We Will Never Forget ” President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Address To Congress December 8Th, 1941.
  
     William Roddy Charlton Jr.; Adjutant,   American Legion Post 64, Ahwatukee, Arizona 

The Ahwatukee Recreation Center (The ARC) – Home of American legion’s Ahwatukee Post 64

Veterans Raising Funds for Their Brothers & Sisters:

Every article, feature, or profile published about veterans contributes to preserving our collective history. Newspapers serve as a permanent record of service, sacrifice, and achievement, ensuring that the experiences of past and present generations are not forgotten. For Post 64, being featured in the news also strengthens our mission by highlighting the positive impact veterans continue to make right here in Ahwatukee. Sharing these stories helps younger generations learn from the past and understand the importance of service, while also honoring those who paved the way.

NEW Annual Fundraiser

Veterans Raising Funds for Their Brothers & Sisters:

Every article, feature, or profile published about veterans contributes to preserving our collective history. Newspapers serve as a permanent record of service, sacrifice, and achievement, ensuring that the experiences of past and present generations are not forgotten. For Post 64, being featured in the news also strengthens our mission by highlighting the positive impact veterans continue to make right here in Ahwatukee. Sharing these stories helps younger generations learn from the past and understand the importance of service, while also honoring those who paved the way.

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Testimonials About American Legion Post 64

“I’m hoping on being a big part of making the legion more appealing to a younger crowd and to get them to opne the doors to more activities.”

- David Green

Veteran Service Officer, Post 64

“Ahwatukee American Legion Post 64! Thank you all for helping keep this community strong.”

 

- Anonymous

Local Community Member

“Post 64 is a dedicated 501(c)(19) nonprofit, whom stands unwavering in its commitment to provide support & invaluable assistance to our esteemed veterans.”

Tamma Notaro

Post Commander, Post 64

American Legion

If you are a veteran in need of assistance, please contact Post 64 via email, or call our VSO.

[email protected]

Ahwatukee Post 64 Contact Number:
(480) 757-7779

Ahwatukee Post 64

5001 E. Cheyenne Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85044

Monthly Member's Business meeting is held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month @ 4:30PM

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