Nittany American Legion Post 245

The Legion in the Woods - Serving Veterans & Community Since 1919

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American Legion Post 245

For God and Country

Nittany American Legion Post 245 serves veterans, active military, and their families through mutual helpfulness, community service, and dedication to Americanism.

Chartered on October 19, 1919, with Theodore D. Boal as our first commander, we have been proudly serving the State College and Centre County community for over 100 years. Known locally as "The Legion in the Woods," our post at 1950 Pine Hall Road is a historic gathering place providing camaraderie and support to those who served.

Our Programs

Veterans Support

Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation

Supporting veterans with benefits assistance, employment services, housing support, and rehabilitation programs. We help connect veterans with the resources they need.

  • Our Honor Guard provides dignified funeral services for veterans, ensuring they receive the respect and recognition they deserve for their service to our nation.
  • Assistance with navigating VA benefits, claims, and healthcare services
  • Support for employment, housing, and rehabilitation services
  • Hospital visits, blood drives, and support for homeless veterans
  • Emergency assistance and crisis support for veterans and their families
Youth Programs

Children & Youth Programs

Developing future leaders through Boys State, American Legion Baseball, Junior Shooting Sports, Boy Scouts, and scholarship opportunities.

Americanism

Americanism & Community Service

Promoting patriotism, citizenship, and respect for our nation through flag programs, ceremonies, and community events. Supporting new citizens with American flags and flag etiquette materials.

National Security

National Security

The Legion is an organization of veterans who fought for freedoms, which they are dedicated to keeping and preserving. As one of the Four Pillars it was founded on, the Legion believes national security is upheld by keeping a well-funded Department of Defense, a good quality of life for troops and a sensible transition between service and separation.

Post Events & Activities

Join us for post meetings, ceremonies, community service events, and veteran support activities.

Real Good BBQ

Get your tickets for our Real Good BBQ fundraiser!

BBQ Ticket Sales

Post Meetings

Post Meeting: 1900 on the 3rd Thursday of the month

Sons of the American Legion Meeting: 1800 on the 3rd Thursday of the month

American Legion Auxiliary Meeting: 1900 on the 4th Tuesday of the month

American Legion Riders Meeting: 1800 on the 1st Thursday of the month

Honor Guard Services

Final honors for veterans and ceremony support

Available year-round for veteran funerals and memorial services

Community Service

Parades, ceremonies, and community outreach

Including Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and 9/11 commemoration events

Youth Programs

Boys State, Legion Baseball, and scholarships

Supporting the next generation of leaders

Join American Legion Post 245

Membership is open to all honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who served on active duty during wartime periods. Join us at The Legion in the Woods and continue your service to fellow veterans and our community in Centre County.

Contact us for current membership dues and information

All military branches welcome: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and WWII Merchant Marines

Support Our Post

Your donations help us continue serving veterans, supporting youth programs, and giving back to our community. Every contribution makes a difference in the lives of those who served our country.

Contact us to learn about donation opportunities, sponsorships, and ways to support American Legion Post 245.

Ways to Support

  • General donations to support post operations
  • Youth program sponsorships
  • Scholarship fund contributions
  • Honor Guard equipment and uniforms
  • Veteran assistance programs

American Legion Post 245 is a 501(c)(19) veterans organization. Contact us for information about tax-deductible giving.

Our Impact - 2024

100+

Active members serving our community

0

Year chartered - over 105 years of service

50+

Community events and ceremonies annually

1000+

Hours of volunteer service to veterans and families

Note to Post Leadership: Please update these statistics with actual Post 245 impact data, including membership numbers, events hosted, honor guard services, youth program participants, and community service hours.

What We Offer

Restaurant & Bar

Restaurant & Bar

Legion in the Woods offers food and beverages in a welcoming atmosphere. Open to members and guests. Contact us for current hours and menu information.

Meeting Space

Meeting Space

Our post provides meeting facilities for veteran groups, community organizations, and special events. Contact us to learn about availability and reservations.

Veterans Support

Veterans Support

We provide resources, advocacy, and support for veterans navigating benefits, healthcare, and community services. Contact our service officers for assistance.

Community Programs

Community Programs

From youth scholarships to community service projects, our post actively serves State College and Centre County. Join us to make a difference.

Note to Post Leadership: Please update these feature cards with Post 245-specific offerings, facilities, programs, and services. Consider including rental information, hall capacity, catering details, and any unique post amenities.

Post 245 Leadership

D.J. Watkins

D.J. Watkins

Post Commander

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Tom Palchak

Tom Palchak

First Vice Commander

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Rich Jackson

Rich Jackson

Second Vice Commander

Larry Hess

Larry Hess

Adjutant

Chris Solo

Chris Solo

Finance Officer

Note to Post Leadership: The Post 245 leadership information has been updated with current officers. To update photos or LinkedIn profiles, please contact the web team. Consider adding additional positions such as Service Officer, Chaplain, Sergeant-at-Arms, and other key positions as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Membership is open to all honorably discharged veterans who served on active duty during wartime periods as defined by Congress. This includes veterans from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines who served during WWII.

For specific eligibility dates and requirements, please visit the American Legion eligibility page or contact our post directly at (814) 237-6880.

Nittany American Legion Post 245, known as "The Legion in the Woods," received its charter on October 19, 1919, with Theodore D. Boal as our first commander. We have been continuously serving veterans and the State College/Centre County community for over 100 years, celebrating our centennial in August 2019.

Our location at 1950 Pine Hall Road is nestled in a beautiful wooded area, which inspired our nickname. The post operates as a community hub providing camaraderie, support, and great food to those who served and their families.

Our mission is rooted in the Four Pillars of the American Legion: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. We serve veterans, active military, and their families through mutual helpfulness and community service.

Beyond our American Legion activities, we also operate a restaurant and bar that serves as a gathering place for members, their families, social members, and the public for lunch.

We offer a wide range of programs including:

  • Veterans benefits assistance and advocacy
  • Youth programs: Boys State, American Legion Baseball
  • Scout Troop 245 sponsorship
  • Auxiliary Unit 245 for family members
  • S.A.L. (Sons of the American Legion) Squadron 245
  • Legion Riders Chapter 245
  • Community service and patriotic ceremonies
  • Restaurant and bar with daily specials
  • Social events: Music Bingo, Red Cross Blood Drives, and more

Post meetings are held regularly. For the current meeting schedule and upcoming events, please contact the post at (814) 237-6880 or visit our website at nittanypost245.org.

American Legion Post 245 is located at:
1950 Pine Hall Road, State College, PA 16801

Phone: (814) 237-6880
Email: [email protected]

We're known as "The Legion in the Woods" due to our scenic wooded location in State College, Pennsylvania.

The Legion in the Woods restaurant offers lunch to the public and various dining options for members and social members. Hours may vary, so please call ahead for current hours and daily specials.

Sunday Hours: 1:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Weekday Take-Out: Available with parking lot pick-up upon request, 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Order by phone: (814) 237-6880

There are many ways to support our post and its mission:

  • Become a member and actively participate in post activities
  • Join as a social member to support the post and enjoy the facility
  • Make a donation to support post operations and programs
  • Sponsor youth programs or scholarships
  • Volunteer for community service events
  • Attend post meetings and special events
  • Dine at our restaurant and support our operation

Yes, American Legion Post 245 is part of the national American Legion organization, which was founded in 1919 and is the nation's largest wartime veterans service organization. The American Legion has nearly 2 million members across more than 12,000 posts worldwide.

For more information about the national organization, visit www.legion.org.