Gilbert Legion commander to quit after notable term

• Gilbert Legion elections set for May 6
• Commander Skip Erickson's tenure saw a smoking ban in the Legion building
• Erickson says public unaware about Legion's community work

After two years at the helm of American Legion Merrill-Mitchell Post 39 in Gilbert, Commander Skip Erickson is stepping down. Elections for a new slate of officers take place May 6.

"It's as important to know when to get out of the way as it is when to get involved," Erickson said.

His tenure was significant in that in September 2013, he introduced a smoking ban inside the Legion building in downtown Gilbert. He credits the ban for the recent uptick in membership. The district-set membership goal was 533 members, and the Legion now has 620, an achievement of 112 percent of the goal. This makes it one of the few posts in the 23-member district to achieve its membership target, Erickson said. The 620 members don't include the post's other components, auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Riders.

To offset the smoking ban, Erickson installed canopies in the front and back of the building to help smokers stay outdoors.

"It played out wonderfully in my opinion; it'll never be back," said Erickson, noting that the group lost about nine members just after the ban and gained about 80 over the months.

"Those who were angry enough left and we gained a lot of new members, and everybody is really in favor of this," he said.

As word of the ban spread, Erickson fielded calls — more than 20 — from Legion posts in Arizona as well as other veterans organizations. Most wanted to know how to implement a ban in an establishment where indoor smoking is viewed as a prime attraction.

The commander also increased the Legion's public face. He said he worked to dispel the concept that Legionnaires are "a bunch of old guys in the spooky building with cheap beer."

Erickson attended Downtown Heritage District meetings, became acquainted with the Gilbert Town Council and partnered with Gilbert Leadership, a program out of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, to create a mural on the Legion building's outer wall.

Recently, with other members, he drew up a list of what the post accomplishes during the year. The 20-plus list of activities include running the holiday gift shop and a bingo game at the Phoenix VA Health Care System; retiring old flags; sending packages to those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan; and placing flags along Gilbert Road during patriotic holidays.

The list helped to attract members, he said, as well as inform current members, some of whom are unaware of what the post does for the community.

But decades after the Legion's presence in Gilbert, Erickson bemoans that the public doesn't really understand its role.

"The general public doesn't know anything. But they all know there's a commander guy. So you field complaints from everyone. A lot of salesmen want us to buy stuff, advertise, and there are many requests for donations and support," he said. "I knew that going in. And you quickly learn to separate wheat from chaff."

Gilbert Legion elections

What: American Legion Gilbert Post 39 is electing a new 11-member board. Positions are to be assumed in June for one year.

When: Noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 6.

Where: The Legion building is at 206 N. Gilbert Road.

Who can vote: A member with a current membership card.

Details: azlegion39.org