Danvers American Legion Post 180 faces possible closure after years of low turnout

The commander of American Legion Post 180 told attendees at the Town of Danvers Memorial Day ceremony that the post is struggling with declining membership and may be forced to close after roughly a century of operation. "We have had a post in Damas for 107 years and now we're about to close the door," said Dick Mod, commander of Post 180, describing repeated efforts to recruit members and the post's difficulty achieving a quorum.

Mod said the post has considered options, including transferring the charter to another post or moving members to "at-large" status, and that he has been working with the district American Legion commander on next steps. "We can transfer it to another post. We can transfer to what they call the uh at large post," he said, noting these are administrative options if local attendance does not improve.

The commander asked the community for help and listed ongoing activities intended to maintain veteran engagement. "Every Thursday morning from 9 to 10, I run a veteran social up at the senior center," Mod said, inviting veterans and family members to attend. He described the personal toll on veterans and the importance of community support after service.

The commander also noted the post was chartered in 1919 and that closing the post would require turning in the unit's charter. He urged anyone able to help with member recruitment or participation to contact the post or attend meetings so the unit might remain active. The post did not announce a formal vote at the ceremony; Mod presented the membership status and options as a community appeal.