Sunday September 6, 2015 at approximately 4:30 pm, the Lloyd C. Wilson Jr American Legion Post #224 held their annual instillation ceremony for its newly elected officers for 201d. Among them was the post’s new commander, retired United States Army Major Guy D. Lewis.
Guy was born and raised in Frankford, lived in the community for 57 years, and has been a member of Post 224 for 23 of those years. He served in the United States Army Reserve for 22 years, 2 months, 8 days, and approximately 14 hours. Why be so exact about time served you might ask, because that’s how Guy is wired, to be precise, maintain order, and follow the rules.
Guy D. Lewis
During his two plus decades of military service, Guy was called to active duty three times; the first was in support of “Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm” and the second and third in support of “Operation Enduring Freedom”.
His third call to active duty resulted in a yearlong deployment to Southeastern Afghanistan’s Khowst Province, along its border with Pakistan, a known stronghold for the Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgents.
During his deployment, Guy served as the Chief Nurse of the Salerno Hospital and the Officer in Charge of its Operating Room. He participated in hundreds of surgeries, and directed the pert-operative care for over 465 causalities of war, and the survival rate of their patients was over 95%.
Guy deemed it an honor to perform his duty in support of our country’s efforts in the “Global War on Terrorism”. During his deployment Guy saw plenty of combat, death, and destruction on a daily basis, and was able to successfully lead his troops on a 365 day mission in a hostile environment without losing a single US soldier.
Now retired from the army, Guy is returning to duty of a different type but none the less important. He’s assumed leadership of Frankford’s American Legion Post 224, and he views it as an honor to serve the veterans that served our country, their families, and the community at large.
As commander, Guy would like to see the Lloyd C. Wilson Jr Post 224 expand its commitment as a veteran centered social safe haven, where members and their guest can enjoy themselves in a variety of recreational activities.
In addition, as a Registered Nurse with almost 40 years in health care and a master’s degree in health education, Guy would like to assist post 224 in its efforts to broaden veterans and their loved one’s pathway to support and benefit information when needed, by partnering with the Philadelphia Department of Veteran Affairs; and hosting health information sessions and workshops with subject matter expert guest speakers, addressing issues and concerns specific to service, combat, and community health in general; all in an effort to reestablish the Lloyd C. Wilson Jr American Legion Post as a valuable community asset.
Guy’s goal is to uphold and build on the foundation of duty and honor laid by previous post commanders including but not limited to Thomas Pittman III, Eddie Keith, and the late Bobby Brown. As I endeavor to accomplish that goal, I welcome support, constructive criticism, input, and participation from everyone.
To quote MAJ (RET) Guy D. Lewis “As I see it, it’s an honor for me to be given the opportunity to serve the men and women that have served our country in times of war as well as times of peace, their families, and our community.
“I feel as commander of the Lloyd C. Wilson Jr Post 224, it’s my solemn duty to always do the right thing for veterans, their families, and the community. As long as God Almighty gives me the strength, that’s exactly what I’m going to do, and input, constructive criticism, participation, and support from all involved is truly welcomed”.
