CHICORA — Almost 100 years later and the American Legion is still going strong.

The 99-year-old organization had a local celebration in Chicora. Chuck Hetrich, a 14-year member with Chicora’s Legion post, was in charge of bringing together the community’s veterans for a picnic at Chicora Community Park on Saturday afternoon.

The American Legion was founded in Paris, France, on March 15, 1919. However, the organization’s headquarters is based in Indianapolis, Ind. According to the group’s last census in 2014, there are 2,400,000 documented, registered, members.

There were three former World War II veterans — Kenny Griffith, Don Weiland and Don Sherwin — at Saturday’s celebration.

Three of the legion’s members are over the age of 90, including Weiland, Sherwin and Clarence “Coonie” Maley. Weiland, who is a member of the Chicora American Legion Post 642, was in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He said the picnic was a well-thought-out idea.

“It’s great to have everyone together (and) meet other veterans you might not know,” Weiland said.

Helen Maley explained how her husband, “Coonie,” was a ticket seller, commander, vice commander and secretary during his years in the Chicora American Legion.

“This whole picnic is very nice,” Helen Maley said.

Veterans and their families gathered at Chicora Community Park around noon. Food, for almost 50 people, was served at 1 p.m. Hetrich — a 14-year member of the Chicora American Legion — said that the picnic was a “fun idea.”

“Some of these guys have been around for quite a while,” Hetrich said. “Our post was rechartered in 1934. We have some guys in their 90s, some who fought in World War II. We had a couple that just recently passed away that served in World War II. Their families are here.”

Richard Fowler of Chicora, a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Navy, said that he recently transferred from the Harrisburg American Legion. However, he’s lived in the community for about five years.

“I know most everyone here,” Fowler said. “It was nice seeing some of the families that I didn’t know before.”

In addition to the food served, attendees were given a free raffle ticket for a bouquet that was given away at the end of the picnic.

“This is just to honor all veterans through all of the wars,” Hetrich said. “I’m glad to be a part of this.”

The Chicora American Legion meets every second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. For more information on American Legion posts throughout Butler County, visit www.co.butler.pa.us/veteran-american-legion-posts.