American Legion members celebrate in Sanger

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The national commander of the American Legion dedicated the new Department of California Headquarters Saturday.

The headquarters was located in San Francisco for about 80 years, but officials say they had to look for a new facility after a remodeling project there.

They chose a building in Sanger, and it's located near Seventh and P streets. The event included a flag ceremony and plaque presentation.

And they're already feeling right at home here in the valley. "The city of Sanger is much more friendly and easy to work with," American Legion Cmdr. Larry Van Kuran said. "And we respond in kind, so there's a relationship there, and it's much more accessible than downtown San Francisco."

American Legion leaders say there is still a lot of work to be done to renovate the building, but the move has not impacted their efforts to serve nearly 100,000 members across the state.