American Legion Post 138, the location of KJZZ’s latest Tiny Desert Concert, is easy to miss. The tiny old veterans hall is tucked between a shopping center and apartments off Broadway Road just east of Mill Avenue.
For the past 12 years, Post 138 has been a community gathering place for veterans. The bar regularly hosts birthday celebrations, open mics, trivia and karaoke. Every night at 7 p.m., there’s a toast to former, past and present members of the military. Several large wooden tables are crammed into the small space. The walls are covered in patriotic posters and photos, and flags representing each military branch hang from the ceiling. There’s a beer can stuffed with American flags on the bar.
In the corner, there’s a small stage right next to an honor wall dedicated to the late James Witkowski, an Arizona native who served in the Army Reserve. In 2005, he used his body to shield his fellow soldiers from an explosive device. A large American flag is painted on the honor wall. On top of the painted flag is a physical American flag, framed and folded into a triangle; a sign explaining the 7 o’clock toast — also decorated with an American flag background — and a large framed photo of Witowski.
“Never let anybody leave your post a stranger,” read a couple of signs posted around the space.
It’s not exactly where you would expect to find a 23-year-old musician.
“The people here have become, like, sort of my family,” said Allene Dugan, Morphia Slow’s lead singer. “I would come in here every Sunday. I’ve kind of called it lately like a pseudo-church, in a way.”
Over a decade ago, Dugan started learning guitar from Trevor Jones, a lifelong musician who often plays at pubs and veterans halls around the Valley. Jones would often take Dugan to his gigs and have her play… including at Post 138. Every week the post has “Trevor Jones Sundays,” where patrons can listen to Jones.
After over a decade in Tempe, Post 138 is moving to Mesa this month. Owner John Boyle says the plan is to rip out the original bar and reinstall it at the new location.
