Members of Lawrence’s American Legion are preparing to celebrate the national organization’s 89th birthday next week.

Legionnaires say it’s a chance to honor the organization’s founding, promote camaraderie and support military veterans and their families.

“I think we need to remind people of the basis for why the legion was formed, and this is of course one way to do it because its roots go back all the way to World War I,” Jerry Hanson, post commander, said.

Lawrence American Legion Dorsey-Liberty Post No. 14 will host the celebration at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the legion hall, 3408 W. Sixth St. Nationally, posts across the country will celebrate the birthday within the next week.

The annual Lawrence event will include a birthday cake, a speech from Hanson and membership awards for longtime legionnaires. Legion members, any veterans and their families are invited.

The American Legion was founded in 1919. At more than 14,000 posts across the country, its members’ mission include supporting veterans, their families and offering youth programs.