Big Bear Lake’s American Legion Post to Be Rededicated in Honor of USMC Sergeant Major A.L. “Woody” Woodard on Fourth of July

Our local post of the American Legion is, on Independence Day, rededicating Post 584 with a new name in honor of 30-year Big Bear resident and veteran, U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major A.L. “Woody” Woodard, who passed away three years ago. Local Amercian Legion Post Commander Don Brown tells KBHR, “We’re renaming ourselves after a highly honored Marine, Sergeant Major A.L. ‘Woody’ Woodard, who served 33 years in the Marine Corps including World War II, the Korean conflict, and three tours to Vietnam. He received the highest enlisted rank in the Marine Corps, won a Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts, and numerous other decorations—there’s a bunch. Woody was a two-time commander of the American Legion, and served 26 years with the American Legion in Big Bear Lake.” Post 584, established in 1947, will be renamed in Sergeant Major Woodard’s honor in a 10am ceremony tomorrow, the Fourth of July, at the post, located on Big Bear Boulevard at Crane; the public is welcome to join Woodard’s wife, June, and local veterans for this special ceremony. The American Legion also welcomes the community’s assistance in locating local men and women who are serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan, in order to send them packages of items they need overseas. If you would like to contribute, please contact Bruce Scott at the American Legion at 866-4845.