American Legion Post 40 rebuilding one year after fire

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – Members of the American Legion Post 40 in Socastee are rebuilding – literally – one year after a fire burned their building.

The building also went through flood damage in 2016 from Hurricane Matthew.

After the fire, members of Post 40 demolished the building themselves. Now, they're working through the permit process to build a new building.

"We've been working diligently trying to get it back up," adjutant and finance officer Bill Shoe said.

Shoe said Venture Engineering is working with Post 40 on the new building process.

In the months since the fire, Post 40 members have done several fundraisers to receive money to help build the new building. Shoe said the overall cost is over $130,000.

Tuesday evening, Horry County Council voted to give Post 40 $5,000 from the community benefit fund to go toward rebuilding costs. Shoe and Post Cmdr. Robert Harper said they're grateful for all the donations they've received.

A year after the fire and nearly two since the flooding, Harper said it's still difficult to comprehend why their building has been through so many setbacks.

"These two hardships were really a blow to this American Legion Post here," Harper said.

However, Harper said the military spirit of the Post 40 members will keep them going.

"They don't give up," Harper said. "And they're not going to let this stop them either."

Shoe said he hopes construction on the new building will start in about three weeks. The goal is to have it completed by June 2019.

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