ANSONIA – Ansonia American Legion Post 353 officially welcomed its newly completed facility expansion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the culmination of a seven-month project on the north side of Ansonia.
Post 353 Commander Jennifer Anthony, who has served in the role for seven years, oversaw the project from start to finish with the support of the post’s officers and membership.
The honor of cutting the ribbon for the official opening went to Warren Davidson, a United States Congressman and fellow military veteran.
“We were absolutely honored to have Congressman Davidson here to cut the ribbon for us, especially as a fellow veteran,” Anthony said. “It truly meant a great deal to us, and the turnout was tremendous once we announced he would be joining us.”
Davidson, a U.S. Army veteran and graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, said the experience felt familiar and welcoming.
“It definitely feels like home,” Davidson said of his visit to the Ansonia American Legion. “There’s a comfort zone that comes from walking into an American Legion and experiencing that camaraderie. Strong units pass that tradition on to the next generation, and in a place like Ansonia—where the Legion is already a key part of the community—it’s no surprise to see it thriving.”
“You walk in the door and look at this new expansion, and you’re like, ‘Wow,’” Davidson added. “They really did this right. It’s nice.”
Davidson also praised the broader mission of American Legion posts nationwide.
“The American Legions are doing a good job of connecting families—sons and daughters—and helping grow the next generation that way,” he said. “Across the political spectrum, one of the most unifying things in our culture is the broad support for our veterans, and that is especially true here in western Ohio.”
Anthony emphasized that the project’s success was driven by teamwork, highlighting the contributions of Legion staff and leadership.
“Tess Clark deserves so much praise for stepping in and taking over halfway through this project,” Anthony said of the Legion’s bar manager. “She’s done an outstanding job with organization. She and I worked extremely well together—she’s a very important cog in the wheel.”
Anthony noted that the expansion was necessary to meet the evolving needs of the post and its members.
“I don’t believe this place would have lasted much longer in the condition it was in,” she said. “With the membership we have, there was a clear desire for something bigger and better—something modern and more inviting. Times have changed, members have changed, and things especially shifted after COVID. We needed a space that felt more welcoming, and this does exactly that. It’s pleasant, it’s inviting, it’s warm—it truly feels welcoming.”
The project was completed over seven months, with H.A. Dorsten serving as the contractor.
“This was truly a group effort,” Anthony said. “Without the support of the community and the executive board, I don’t think we could have gotten this project completed.”
The expansion also brought practical improvements to the facility.
“We were fortunate to keep the same building and expand without losing any parking,” Anthony said. “In fact, we were able to add a few additional spaces, which made things even more convenient. The best part of the addition, though, is the new windows.”
Post 353 First Vice Commander Wes Cothran echoed Anthony’s sentiments and emphasized the Legion’s longstanding role in the community.
“The Ansonia American Legion has been extremely important to our community,” Cothran said. “We’ve donated significant amounts of money to Ansonia and Mississinawa Valley Schools, the Ansonia Police Department, the Ansonia and Rossburg Fire Departments, and organizations throughout our surrounding communities.”
“This expansion was extremely important to keep us viable,” Cothran added. “We were simply running out of room with some of the events we were hosting. The finished product looks amazing, and everyone is very happy with what we were able to accomplish.”
Cothran also expressed gratitude to those who helped bring the project to completion.
“I want to thank Commander Anthony for the countless extra hours she put into this project, and I want to thank Denis Dickey, our finance officer, who kept the checkbooks moving as everything came together,” he said. “Most of all, I want to thank our local community and everyone who supports the American Legion—because without them, none of this would have been possible.”
