Post 535 History

We were incorporated on May 2011. As membership increased meetings were moved to
Unionville’s Fire Station One, and then to the larger Fire Station Two, and were held there until
2011.

 

As our membership continued to grow, in 2012 our meetings were moved to Benton Crossroads
Church who graciously continued to host us until our new building was ready.

 

Our name was changed to Sam F. Keziah Unionville American Legion Post 535 on January
30, 2013 shortly after the Keziah family donated two acres of land on Highway 601.

 

The ground breaking ceremony for the new Post headquarters was held on May 28, 2016. The
headquarters is over 7,800 square feet and includes a state-of-the-art kitchen, two meeting rooms
and a large auditorium.

 

With the help and contributions of local businesses and individuals, our headquarters
building construction on Highway 601 near Lawyers Road was completed in early 2024.

 

On Saturday February 10, 2024 we celebrated our Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
ceremonies. Our new building house our offices and activities, and is available for use by local
veterans, community organizations and private celebrations. Currently, we meet there on the
second Thursday of every month starting at 7:00 PM.

 

The Sam F. Keziah Unionville American Legion Post is a tax exempt organization under the
provision of USC 501 (19) and donations are tax deductible.

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Our Legion Family and Activities Since 2009

 

Our Legion family, which totals around 270 people, consists of the members of the Post 535, the Auxiliary,
the Sons of the American Legion, the Legion Riders and the Legion Cruisers.

 

We have won numerous NC State American Legion awards including: Americanism Post Award, Class D;
W. Coburn Children and Youth Post Award, Class E; and NC Post Commander of the Year, NC Scout
Master of the Year, Scout Troop of the Year, and Cub Scout of the Year, among others.

 

We are proud that two of our members have been inducted at the North Carolina Veterans Hall of Fame.
The Post’s commitment to the Unionville community is a keystone to its existence.

 

Since its establishment, the Post has:
· Sponsored both Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops
· Sponsored the local American Legion baseball team
· Worked with the award-winning Piedmont Junior High School Shooting team
· Established a Legion Riders group
· Held an annual Bar-b-que
· Held an annual golf outing
· Sponsored the Miss Unionville Scholarship Pageant
· Founded and sponsored the first Unionville Christmas Parade 2011
· Assisted in the annual Unionville 4th of July parade and festivities

 

In 2009 the Post’s Honor Guard was established. Since then the Guard, in association with VFW Post
2423, has participated in over 120 ceremonies a year in honor of fallen veterans.

 

In October 2010, a Post Auxiliary was established and in 2014 a Sons of the American Legion (SAL)
chapter was chartered. Membership in both of these groups have grown since their inception with the
Auxiliary having over 50 members and the SAL having over 40 members.

 

Other activities include: participating in military funerals, wreath laying ceremonies, taking veterans to
medical appointments, providing meals to veterans in need, and participating in orientation programs at
schools. We also participate in the Unionville Christmas and 4th of July parades and present the Colors at

several activities including the USO Show. We have also sponsored Memorial Day Buffets.