Changing of the Guard at Loganville American Legion Post 233

After 36 years, there will be a new man at the helm of  the Barrett-Davis-Watson American Legion Post 233 in Loganville. will step down on Aug. 7 and newly-elected commander, will be sworn in as the new commander.

But it is unlikely that Boss will be going too far. He has already undertaken to help with some of the duties he’s been involved with over the years.

“Jim doesn’t have an Adjutant, so I don’t know how he would be able to do it all,” Boss said. “There just too much.”

, and most successful, American Legion posts in the southeast. Under the leadership of Boss, a Navy veteran, the post has been a force for good in the Loganville community. From its support of the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, providing scholarships for nurses, supporting the little league baseball players at West Walton Ballfields or working with veterans, the American Legion Post in Loganville has flourished under the leadership of Boss. And it hasn’t been easy. Boss said the economy has taken its toll on fundraising, Bingo takings are down and there are a lot more people in the community in need. He said some posts haven’t been able to survive.

“The American Legion is dying,” Boss said. “Posts are closing all around. I’d hate to see that happen here.”

Members of the post don’t expect Boss to give that much of a chance to happen. The response from Legion members when asked if they expect him to be able to let go was a unanimous, “No.”

“Maybe he’s get to have a little rest, but he won’t go far,” said members of the American Legion Post 233 Women’s Auxiliary.

Jack and Barbara Wade have been members of Post 233 for most of the years that Boss has been the commander. They said it would be “different” when he is no longer in charge.

“I’m sure it will be fine, but it will be…. different,” Jack Wade said. “Everybody will still be working together for the good of the post - but it will be different.”

Wade said replacing Boss is so much more than just replacing a commander.

“He was also the plumber, the heat and air man and so much more. It will take several people to replace him,” Wade said.

Boss, now 81, has been re-elected every year since he took over as commander of the Barrett-Davis-Watson American Legion Post 36 years ago.

“He decided to step down and Jim Carmona was elected as new commander by the membership,” Wade said.

Carmona, an Army veteran, is currently the Senior Vice Commander of Post 233 and has been a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars for more than 28 years. He will be installed as the new commander after tonight’s ceremony.