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
Our Next Event – Wine Tasting Fundraiser
On Saturday, October 12 we will host a Wine Tasting Fundraiser, to benefit Wounded Warrior Project. The event will be from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, and admission is $30/person. We’ll enjoy appetizers and fine wines, and we’ll have raffle items, a door prize, and a silent auction on wine. Please click here to learn more and purchase your tickets.
Want to tell your friends and family about the event? Here’s a flyer for emailing, and here’s a flyer with a white background that’s best for printing. Also, you can download an Instagram image, as well as a Facebook image you can post.
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