Selma’s American Legion Post 20 will install new officers tonight during a ceremony at the Legion hall.

Post 20 was established in 1930 and was named the Thomas R. Mackin Post 20 in March 1973. A loyal member of Post 20 for nearly 30 years, Mackin served as commander, in several other officer capacities and held leadership positions at the state and national levels in the American Legion.

Byrd Looper, a Marine Corps veteran, will be sworn in as commander while Catesby Ap C Jones and Ronnie Roberts will be sworn in as vice commander and second vice commander, respectively. Jones is a World War II veteran and Roberts served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We have about 135 members here in Selma,” said Post 20 member James Tennimon, a 21-year veteran of the Air Force and Army National Guard. “We give (American) flags out to different organizations and we help with Boy’s State in Tuscaloosa, where boys are taught about government and how cities are run.”

Tennimon said the local post, which has annual dues of $35, also helps circulate information to veterans on veteran’s affairs. He said they also sponsor two $750 scholarships at Wallace Community College Selma and an oratorical contest.

“A child will give a speech about the Constitution or Bill of Rights. They’ll be given so many minutes and be judged,” he said. “If they win, they move on to the state competition and national competition winning money along the way.”

Dinner will begin about 6:30 p.m. at the Legion hall, located at 4210 U.S. Highway 80 West near Taylorville Family Entertainment Center, with the swearing in ceremony to follow. All area veterans are encouraged and invited to attend.