AUBURN — American Legion William J. Rogers Post 153 will celebrate the 93rd birthday of the American Legion, as well as that of a long-time member, with a breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, March 11, at 71 South Main St.

Ninety-three years ago its official name had not yet been adopted when The American Legion’s purpose was stated in the form of a one-sentence paragraph. It was Monday morning, March 17, 1919, and a weekend gathering of officers and enlisted members of the American Expeditionary Forces was coming to a crescendo in Paris. The paragraph was what we might today call a mission statement. It came from the Committee on the Constitution, chaired by G. Edward Buxton, who had been the commanding officer of Medal of Honor recipient Pvt. Alvin C. York, also in attendance.

The paragraph read: We, the members of the Military and Naval Service of the United States of America in the great war, desiring to perpetuate the principles of Justice, Freedom and Democracy for which we have fought, to inculcate the duty and obligation of the citizen to the State; to preserve the history and incidents of our participation in the war; and to cement the ties of comradeship formed in service, do propose to found and establish an association for the furtherance of the foregoing purposes.

The all-you-can-eat breakfast will cost $6 and will consist of scrambled eggs, bacon, choice of sausage links or patties, home fries, baked beans, white, wheat or English muffin toast, and the military’s infamous S.O.S. with army coffee and juice plus an old Beaulieu family recipe for crepes that has been passed down for generations from Quebec. Don Beaulieu, sergeant-at-arms for the post, is the keeper of the recipe secret.

Comrade Robert Rich has been an excellent example in the American Legion and has served in many positions. “We wish him good health and many more years,” said public relations officer Paul R. Bernard. The group plans to surprise him with a cake with 93 candles.

All money raised supports the post home and American Legion programs. For information on membership or events contact Commander Hugh Brown at 782-1118, email www.legionpost153.org or send mail to New Auburn American Legion, William Rogers Post 153, 71 South Main St., Auburn, ME 04210.