LEGION POST 68 SUPPORTS CANINES FOR SERVICE EVENT

Specially trained service dogs can significantly enhance the lives of service-connected disabled veterans. Strengthening its role as a veterans’ organization with the motto "Veterans Serving Veterans," members of the John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 in Leland played a key role in the Canines for Service (CFS) Battleship Partnership Ceremony on Friday, October 23, 2026.

Held on the fantail of the Battleship North Carolina under the brilliant blue skies of coastal North Carolina, the CFS ceremony paired two service-connected disabled veterans with their newly assigned service dogs. The event highlighted the participating organizations' shared commitment to honoring military service and supporting those who have sacrificed for our country.

At the opening of the ceremonies, Post 68’s Color Guard presented the Colors. Additional ceremonial participants included 25 members of the Patriot Guard Riders, Blue Knights, and Post 68 Legion Riders. Post 68 member Kobe Kelley led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Post 68’s Color Guard - (L-R) Bob Northrup, Jeff Harriman, Eddie Jenkins, and Richard Fry

Post 68 Legion Riders: Lane Adrian, Patty and Kobe Kelley, Wolfgang Lange, Lou Leichtweisz, Bob Page, Frank Pain, and Bill Powell

Following the Opening Blessing, Ashlee Luther, Canines for Service Veterans Service Coordinator, served as the event’s emcee and delivered the opening remarks. The ceremony's highlight featured disabled veterans Anne Leonos and Patrick Walker with their newly partnered dogs, Bogey and Basil. Post 68’s Color Guard ceremoniously retired the colors at the event's close.

Since its founding in 1996, Canines for Service, a nonprofit headquartered in Wilmington, has become North Carolina’s longest-running ADI-accredited service dog provider. As one of only 97 such accredited organizations in North America, Canines for Service has transformed the lives of hundreds of disabled veterans by providing trained physical or psychiatric service dogs that help service-connected disabled veterans regain their independence, confidence, and a sense of connection. To learn more about Canines for Service, visit https://www.caninesforservice.org/. To view additional event photos, visit https://thephotodistrict.pixieset.com/cfs_placement_102326/.