We are American Legion Post 552, located in the Pacific Beach area of San Diego, California.
Our Pacific Beach American Legion family also includes American Legion Auxiliary Unit 552 and the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 552.
We do not have an American Legion Riders program, but we are interested. A total of eight is required to establish a Riders program. If you are interested, please contact the Commander.
Anyone who served honorably in any of the armed services for at least one day since December 7, 1941, is eligible to join the American Legion.
Many of our members belong to one or more of the veterans’ organizations in our facility, based on individual eligibility. “We are all together,” so it does not matter to us if you wish to join multiple organizations. Please consider joining us so we may fulfill our mission to better serve the needs of the community and remain strong.
Your membership and/or participation allow us all to continue serving God, our country, and our community. Our local mission is to provide camaraderie, a support base for the veterans and their families within the local community, low-cost meals, entertainment, and the various programs that assist the community. Take a look at our schedule of meetings and events.
Post News
Boys State
Pacific Beach American Legion Post 552 interviewed five candidates for this year’s Boys State. Three of them were selected, with two alternates. The Post pays for the three selections, including their transportation to Sacramento. All were outstanding candidates, and we are proud to picture Henry Gildehaus, Texas Zubiller, and Perez Carbajal below.
Amended Agreement with VFW Post 5985
The American Legion Post 552 has joined in an amended agreement with VFW Post 5985. Commander Mike Hill (VFW) is pictured with Commander Kent Van Horn (AL) at the amendment signing on Dec 20, 2024. It amends an agreement made in 1987 between these posts and renews our sharing of facilities and organizational commitments to each other.
Honor Flight
Honor Flight was September 27-29. This is where our San Diego veterans were provided a flight to Washington, D.C., all paid for with donations. Nearly 100 vets were on this trip. They represented support for WWII, Korea, and the Vietnam wars. They visited each of these monuments and also the Arlington National Cemetery, where they observed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Bill Heard from our American Legion Post was on that trip. He was grateful and very appreciative of this opportunity.
The Welcome Home at the San Diego airport drew about 1,000 people. It was extremely patriotic and inspiring to those of us who attended.
Installation of New Officers
We installed our new 2025 elected officers on June 26: Kent Vanhorn as Commander, Mike Hill as 1st Vice and Bill Marsh as 2nd Vice. The District 22 Commander Vic Martin officiated. We congratulate our new leadership.
Mountain Climbing Adventure on Mt. Whitney
Two of our Navy veterans recently climbed Mt Whitney. Travis Methvin and Jonathan Owens were successful in climbing to 12,000 feet in early June, but were then turned away by thunderstorms. This is not the first time they’ve tackled this mountain, though. They made it to the summit in June 2022. Our hats are off to both of these mountaineers.
American Legion Preamble
We embody the goals of the American Legion Preamble.
For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes:
- To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;
- To maintain law and order;
- To maintain and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism;
- To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars;
- To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, state and nation;
- To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;
- To make right the master of might;
- To promote peace and good will on earth;
- To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy;
- To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.
American Legion Post 552 Officers
Commander – Kent Vanhorn – send email
1st Vice Commander – Michael Hill – send email
2nd Vice Commander – Bill Marsh – send email
Finance Officer – Mark Seamon – send email
Adjutant – Doug Benzel – send email
Chaplain – Bill Bartle – send email
Sergeant-at-Arms – Jim Vanderploeg