Looking Back at a Four-Year Journey

 When Jim Cragg was elected commander of the Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 238 in Pacific Palisades in 2020, the Post was a hidden-away gem, with little or no community interaction.

Cragg over the next four years opened the doors, figuratively and literally, to ensure this Post and its values would become a cornerstone in one of the most influential communities in the United States. Cragg’s mission was to improve the standing and perception of veterans.

First his team would undertake a multi-million-dollar remodel to the Post headquarters, which was built in 1967 and was in desperate need of renovations to make it ADA accessible.

Next, he would restructure the Post’s operating processes to promote equity and transparency and establish a separate grant-making foundation to regulate its financial gifting. 

 Finally, under Cragg’s leadership, the post members invested in developing programs and events to bond Veteran families, support Veteran career enhancement, and provide Post members with opportunities to continue to serve the community and their nation. 

 But first Cragg needed to establish this American Legion as family-friendly center as it had been when it was founded in 1927.

 He was tasked with changing the perception in town that the Legion was only for a few war-weary veterans. He made it okay for people to stop by and discover the programs – and in the process membership went up because there were many more people in town who were eligible to join but hadn’t because of the perception. 

 Although the Legion Hall was serviceable, the joke around town was that the building resembled the Post Office next door and that people frequently walked into the Legion to drop off their mail. 

 Cragg and his team wanted to create the look and feel of an exclusive club worthy of the Pacific Palisades.  A wooden exterior resembling old Navy sailing ships with military brass lettering greets visitors as they approach a lobby adorned with a mural dedicated to the diversity of American Veterans. 

 Visitors are also greeted by a modern painting of Ronald Reagan, who belonged to Post 283, or “Comrade Reagan” in Legion terminology. Reagan serves as an inspiration that any Veteran can achieve great heights. 

 The decor of the main hall resembles a military museum with a subtle effort to show that veterans of all generations served and sacrificed similarly no matter their role or standing. 

 Once the remodel was done, the fun and camaraderie returned with this Post’s legendary dances, comedy events and lounge nights.  A relaxed dining and lounge area are supported by a modern bar and kitchen facility. 

 This helped create the setting for the community-engaging events envisioned by Cragg and was epitomized in a Grand Re-Opening Ceremony in January 2023. 

 Shutting down the street, the community came together for a ceremony emceed by actor Joe Mantegna, attended by local politicians and dignitaries, and with music provided by the University of Southern California’s marching band. The opening fulfilled the vision of its coordinators, Cragg, Jay McCann (Judge Advocate) and Kevin Niles (Adjutant).

 Once the building was reopened, Cragg saw the Legion as a place of leadership. He worked with community leaders, police and firefighters.  He created a postcard with a phone directory of emergency numbers “Who to Call for Help in the Palisades” and it was mailed to every address in Pacific Palisades. 

 Cragg, through the Legion, hosted briefings by the West LA Division LAPD, LA Sheriff’s Department the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness, Station 69 LAFD, and an LASD briefing on Active Shooter Response, and invited the community to attend. These town hall meetings were free to the public. 

 During the COVID shutdowns, Cragg and Post members Kurt Heite and Peng Vang distributed face masks in the community and to hospitals. The masks were sewn by Cragg’s company, S.O.Tech Inc. 

 Once everything reopened, Cragg organized classes for members and local educators in First Aid, Stop the Bleed, CPR and Tactical Emergency Casualty Care that was taught by himself and other Veteran medics. 

 The Post, which already had a robust HAM radio program dedicated to supporting community emergencies, was revitalized.

 This Legion sent chaplains, funding and personnel to assist the homeless veteran issues developing at the West LA Veterans Administration.

 Cragg even instituted a program called “Friends of Post 283” to embrace veteran-friendly citizens who didn’t meet the membership requirement of having served in the US military or having a close relative who has served, but who wanted to support veterans. “Friends” can attend events but do not have a vote in membership meetings.

In parallel, the Post’s Chapter of the American Legion Auxiliary launched a women’s self-defense class and are planning a young people’s etiquette and leadership class based on the West Point model.

 As a successful businessman and retiring Army Reserve Officer, who is completing a 30-year career in Special Operations, Jim Cragg wanted to institute projects that enhanced the careers of Veterans. He knew that veterans are ingrained with leadership, teamwork, organizational skills and perform well under pressure. He invited speakers, trainers, and hosted networking opportunities. 

 The highpoint of this effort was a business leadership discussion led by Medal of Honor Recipients Gary Littrell and Jim McCloughan that attended by veterans and public servants from across Southern California. 

The Post has also supported events with Toastmasters, the Heroes Linked Veterans professional networking site, the Polk Institute’s Veterans Shark Tank, the West Point Society and the Association of the US Army. In conjunction with the Sons of the American Legion, the Post has hosted speaking presentations and networking events.

 As the father of a nine-year-old he also wanted to promote family programs at the American Legion.

 “Veterans aren’t just struggling to improve their jobs, they are struggling to get quality time with their families, too,” Cragg said, and established the Veteran Family Weekend at Emerald Bay.

 More than 100 veterans and their families went on the first trip to Catalina Island and stayed at the Scout Camp. Events include using night-vision goggles, an emergency radio, survival field craft, drones and SCUBA . Last year guest speaker Medal of Honor winner, Gary Littrell spoke to kids about values. 

 Another event hosted at the Post this past year included five Medal of Honor Recipients on stage talking to young people about the actions that prompted the award. 

 “Watching my daughter stand up and say what freedom meant to her in answer to a question from a man who received the Medal of Honor was one of my highpoints as a Legionnaire and as a parent,” Cragg said. 

 Post 283 has multiple kids’ programs that include leadership classes, picnics, and camping, and in the future, there may also be drone, SCUBA and HAM Radio classes.

 Cragg asked Chaplain Joe Ramirez to establish a non-denominational spiritual support program that has evolved into Sunday services at the Post 283.

 “My hope is that this all comes together to form a place in the Palisades that attracts Veterans and non-Veterans alike to share in camaraderie, enhance our families’ lives, and engage our skills to support our community,” Cragg said. 

 His vision is exciting, his enthusiasm contagious, and in the past four years, this Legion has attracted a large number of new members.

 Now that Ramirez is the new Post 283 Commander, what’s next for Cragg?

“We’ve provided a fulsome image of the successful veteran family in the community, but now we need to change the way society perceives and treats its veterans,” said Cragg, who with McCann and Legionnaire Jason Mayo have crafted a resolution “Restore Respect for the Military and Veterans,” which has been approved by the Post 283 and now needs approval by the California and National Legion organizations.

If passed, Legionnaires would go to schools and provide a positive role model to help change the way young people currently regard veterans. 

 “Locally, we intend to approach the media to discuss improving the way veterans and active duty are portrayed and to diminish the stigma that has been put on those who have worn the uniform,” said Cragg, who will speak at the Pentagon this month to provide awareness of the efforts at the Legion to change the way American society has stigmatized military and veterans.