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Commander of American Legion Post 8 asks state committee for help finding building and using $400,000 in capital outlay
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Summary
Danny Yanali, commander of American Legion Post 8 in Gallup, told the Military & Veterans Affairs Committee his post has 18 members and seeks a permanent building to revitalize membership and support veterans; he said Representative Lundstrom secured $400,000 in capital outlay for the project but that land costs and fiscal‑agent arrangements remain barriers.
Danny Yanali, commander of American Legion Post 8 in Gallup, urged the Military & Veterans Affairs Committee to help secure a permanent post building and to coordinate local support so the post can expand membership and deliver services to veterans and families.
"What I'm trying to do is I'm working with Representative Lundstrom...I'm looking to get a building," Yanali said, describing how his post donated or sold a previous building decades ago and now meets in a very small space. He told the committee the post has 18 active members and runs youth programs including Boys and Girls State and an oratorical scholarship contest.
Yanali said Representative Lundstrom obtained $400,000 in capital‑outlay funding for the project and that McKinley County is serving as the fiscal agent. Committee members and senators offered practical suggestions: connect with UNM Gallup to find veteran students and dependents who might join; use assessor lists of veterans (to identify homeowners with veteran exemptions); consider county‑owned or repurposed buildings or a shared multi‑organization facility; and explore New Mexico Finance Authority low‑interest revolving funds.
Committee members also discussed honor‑guard capacity, noting that many local posts are aging and that coordination with New Mexico National Guard and Air Guard honor‑guard programs can help restore full military honors at funerals. The committee suggested more active outreach and social‑media engagement to attract younger veterans and to coordinate with county officials on fiscal and land‑use questions.
What's next: The commander said he will continue to pursue property options, work with Representative Lundstrom and county project staff, and follow committee guidance on outreach and coordinating resources.
