About 35 people attended a Veteran’s Day luncheon at the American Legion Colin Hyde Post 172 on Bainbridge Island Nov. 11, with 18 former servicemembers in attendance.

Post 172 is a uniquely active Legion, observed Michael Yund, a member of the organization and U.S. Army veteran.

All chapters follow “four pillars” of community service — veterans affairs and rehabilitation; national security; Americanism; and children and youth, but the Bainbridge Island legionnaires also have a strong community spirit.

Yund grew up on BI and served in the U.S. Army for 27 years as part of the Air Defense Artillery unit. He was able to move back to the island with his family to be near his parents, and being part of the Legion has added some support to their transition.

“Here on Bainbridge, the Legion is really active, which creates a sense of camaraderie that veterans might find familiar to the intense bonds formed with crewmates while serving,” said Yund. “It really makes a big difference for someone who is coming out of the service, because re-adjusting to civilian life can be challenging.”

Gary Sakuma, commander of the chapter since 2012, is one of the driving forces behind the local organization.

Sakuma — who was born in the Minidoka Camp in Idaho during the incarceration of Japanese Americans — began his military career as a U.S. Air Force pilot, enlisting in 1966 after graduating from Washington State University. He served for about 30 years, including flying in the Vietnam War.

As a member of the Legion, Sakuma coordinates holiday events and volunteer outings, including visits from high-profile members of the Legion, builds partnerships with other island organizations, such as the BI Japanese American Community, collects and preserves historic artifacts of the group, engages new members, collects donations and charitable gifts for Helpline House, offers prep courses for natural disasters, and often calls bingo.

It’s important to Sakuma that Bainbridge residents understand the island’s rich tapestry of history and relationship to military service, he explained while planting flags at the World War II Memorial at Bainbridge High School. When working with youth groups, such as the Boy and Girl Scouts, he tries to give them some perspective, he explained.

“Sometimes, when I’m planting flags here or at the flagpole, students will come up to me and ask what these names mean,” said Sakuma. “Usually it’s girls — the boys will run through the two stones like goalposts.”

Like the members of the association, the American Legion Hall on Bainbridge is steeped in history.

Colin Hyde was a young farmer on Bainbridge who died while serving overseas in World War I. His family owned the land that now encompasses the BI Fire Department building, the Legion Hall, and Hyla Middle School, the latter of which still uses some of the family’s original structures, including the Hydes’ barn and bunkhouse.

Hyde’s family donated five acres to the American Legion, which then purchased a portion of the Fort Ward barracks to convert into a meeting hall for $960 in 1950. Since then, the organization has continued to grow.

The flag of the U.S. Merchant Marine Corps flutters in the wind at the American Legion Colin Hyde Post 172.

The table is set for the midday luncheon at the American Legion Hall Nov. 11.