Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation
Caring for veterans where they live — through outreach, direct support, and advocacy that opens doors to benefits and services.
About
American Legion Colbert County Memorial Post 31
Post 31 serves veterans, families and communities throughout Colbert County and the Shoals. Through veteran outreach, military funeral honors, remembrance ceremonies, youth programs, advocacy and fellowship, the Post carries forward a tradition of service after service — the conviction that military service does not end with the discharge papers.
We are part of The American Legion, the largest wartime-veterans service organization in the United States, and of The American Legion, Department of Alabama. Locally, we are governed by Post 31 members and supported by partners across the Shoals.
Mission
The Four Pillars of The American Legion
The Legion's national charter organizes its work along four pillars. Post 31's local programs map directly onto them.
National Security
Standing for a strong national defense and a country that keeps faith with those who serve, currently or in the past.
Americanism
Citizenship in action — patriotic observances, flag etiquette, youth programs, and respect for the freedoms veterans defended.
Children & Youth
American Legion Baseball, oratorical activity, and other programs that pass leadership, teamwork and service on to the next generation.
Read the Legion's own description of the pillars on the national site.
Leadership
Members who carry the work.
Post 31 is led by veteran members elected and appointed to local roles. The officers below appear in recent public reporting; the Post will confirm a complete current roster before each annual cycle.
Doug Hargett
Post Commander
U.S. Navy veteran; served aboard the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy (CVA-67) on Mediterranean tours during the Yom Kippur war era; honorably discharged in 1974. A native of the Shoals area, he returned to Tuscumbia for a 41-year career in state and local law enforcement. A.A. in Law Enforcement from Northwest Shoals Community College; B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of North Alabama. Member of Post 31 for more than 18 years; commander since approximately 2021.
Lance Smith
Post Finance Officer · Color Guard Commander · Past Post Commander
Richard Parker
Public Relations Officer
Paul Thompson
Bugler — sounds Taps at ceremonies and funeral honors
Meetings
When and where we gather.
Third Monday of the month, 6:00 p.m.. A meal is shared. All veterans are invited.
110½ N. Main St., Tuscumbia, AL. Upstairs hall with stair lift. All veterans invited.
Confirm the next meeting on the Post's Facebook group.
Membership
Eligibility and the next step.
American Legion membership is generally open to veterans and currently serving military personnel who meet the national service and discharge requirements. Because individual circumstances differ, use the official eligibility resources below or contact the Post for help.
Partners
Help comes from across the Shoals.
The work below would not be possible without partner organizations, churches, businesses and volunteers who give time, supplies and skill. A few of the partners named in public reporting in recent years:
- TVA Power Service Shops
- TVA Retirees Association — Muscle Shoals Chapter
- Bicentennial Volunteers Inc. (BVI)
- Shoals Elks Lodge (Sheffield)
- Easterseals — Muscle Shoals
- Ladies Auxiliary
- Shoals Area Master Gardeners
- Colbert Heights High School Band
- L.O. Bishop
- Church of Christ Annex
- Love's Truck Stop
- LaGrange Church of Christ
- Our Lady of the Shoals Catholic Church
- Emily Cooper Studio and Art Supply Store
- Morrison Funeral Homes
- Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
Logos and partner pages are added only with each partner's approval.