For more than a century, American Legion Post 44 has been a cornerstone of service and patriotism in Ridgefield. Its members, veterans from every branch and generation, carry on a legacy that extends far beyond their years in uniform.
Post Commander Jen McDonnell, a veteran of five years in the Army, has dedicated nearly three decades to the American Legion. Fueled by the G.I. Bill, she carved out a dynamic career in project management, channeling her expertise into her legion work. McDonnell proudly noted that the Ridgefield post continues to thrive and expand.
Ridgefield’s Post 44 was reinstated in 2007 and today counts 102 members. McDonnell said there are likely more than 800 veterans living in Ridgefield, and the group hopes to reach more of them.
“We’re hoping that we can grow it here in Ridgefield since Ridgefield’s growing so much,” she said.
Post 44’s mission centers on the American Legion’s Four Pillars: Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children and Youth.
McDonnell said each of these guides the group’s work locally, from helping veterans navigate benefits and find support to volunteering with civic and school events that promote patriotism and service.
That activity is visible across town, especially through the “Parade of Flags,” when members place and remove more than 200 American flags along Ridgefield’s streets on federal holidays. Many of those flags were purchased by residents or local businesses and include small dog tags honoring family members or veterans. The post’s Color Guard also leads the city’s Fourth of July Parade, a longtime local tradition.
“It’s fun for some people to walk down the street and just kind of read the dog tags and see where they came from,” McDonnell said.
As of press time, Post 44 planned to host its annual Veterans Day observance at Overlook Park at the corner of Pioneer and Main at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The event featured a color guard, a rifle squad performing a 21-gun salute, and local students presenting handmade tributes.
Post Chaplain Judith Wyatt said the community involvement is what makes the observance special.
“They’ll have their class actually making brochures, paintings, little cards,” Wyatt said of a local teacher. “After the ceremony is over, they go around all the veterans, pass out their things, so that’s a really fun thing to have kids involved.”
Wyatt said that teaching civic pride and respect for the flag to local students is among the Legion's most valued principles.
“It is so important for her to have students know about the American Legion,” Wyatt said. “Know about flag etiquette, about what they’re supposed to do when the flag passes.”
Post 44 supports scholarships, youth programs, and veterans’ needs through creative fundraising. Past Commander John Rose, an Air Force veteran and fifth-generation Ridgefielder, said some of their efforts began small.
“It started with one [veteran] donating a truck, and then word gets out...” Rose said. “We do accept vehicles to be donated, and then we get them cleaned up, take them to the local auto mechanic, make sure they’re good running cars, and then we sell them off. Usually
The group also sponsors programs and participates in local community drives, including for Compassion 360, a local food bank.
Why they serve
For Ridgefield Legion members, the sense of belonging and shared purpose keep them active.
“We’re small but mighty,” McDonnell said. “We have things in common, common bonds. We all served, and we continue to serve. And we’d love to share that camaraderie with anyone else in the community.”
Air Force veteran Jim Bowen, who flew C-130 planes during the Vietnam War, said joining Post 44 gave him a renewed sense of connection.
“I’ve always been sort of a joiner,” Bowen said. “When I moved here, I thought, ‘Hey, they’ve got a post. Maybe I can help.’”
Bowen now assists the Ridgefield chapter in rewriting its bylaws. He’s also part of the Color Guard that marches in the Fourth of July parade.
“It’s great watching everybody’s reaction,” he said. “That visibility matters — people see the veterans, and that helps remind them we’re part of this community.”
He said many veterans hope the post will one day have a permanent meeting space of its own.
“We meet at the fire station now, and it works fine, but long-term, it would be great to have a place that’s really ours,” Bowen said.
Chaplain Judith Wyatt, who worked in an Air Force base for four years, said she finds her calling through caring for others.
“I send cards. I visit people. Anything that I can do,” she said. “I think it’s just part of my makeup. I’m more of a caregiver, so that kind of falls in with being the chaplain.”
Looking ahead, the post is already preparing for America’s 250th anniversary next year. McDonnell said members are brainstorming ways to incorporate the number “250” into their participation in Ridgefield’s Fourth of July Parade and other community traditions, whether through flags, banners, or symbolic tributes. The post plans to work closely with the Sons of the American Legion for the nation’s anniversary.
In the meantime, Donnell said the legion is always looking for more volunteers.
“You can never have too many hands to help with those flags,” she said. “Lately it’s just been maybe four or five of us veterans, and we’re not getting any younger.”
American Legion Post 44 meets at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month at the Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue Station 21, located at 911 N. 65th Ave., Ridgefield. Those interested in joining, volunteering, or supporting can call 360-487-9098.
