Skip to content

American Legion in Taylor Receives $600K Donation from Samsung Austin Semiconductor

Funds will be used for restoration efforts and future programming

  • mail
Samsung Austin Semiconductor announced a $600,000 donation to the American Legion Graham D. Luhn Post 39’s Big Event Renovation Campaign at a community event in downtown Taylor, Texas on Feb. 25.
Samsung Austin Semiconductor announced a $600,000 donation to the American Legion Graham D. Luhn Post 39’s Big Event Renovation Campaign at a community event in downtown Taylor, Texas on Feb. 25, 2026. From left to right: Dwayne Ariola, vice commander of Post 39; Scott Dean, commander of Post 39; and Jon Taylor, Samsung Austin Semiconductor executive vice president.
Samsung Austin Semiconductor announced a $600,000 donation to the American Legion Graham D. Luhn Post 39’s Big Event Renovation Campaign at a community event in downtown Taylor, Texas on Feb. 25.
Samsung Austin Semiconductor announced a $600,000 donation to the American Legion Graham D. Luhn Post 39’s Big Event Renovation Campaign at a community event in downtown Taylor, Texas on Feb. 25, 2026. From left to right: Dwayne Ariola, vice commander of Post 39; Scott Dean, commander of Post 39; and Jon Taylor, Samsung Austin Semiconductor executive vice president.

Samsung Austin Semiconductor announced a $600,000 donation to the American Legion Graham D. Luhn Post 39’s Big Event Renovation Campaign at a community event in downtown Taylor, Texas on Feb. 25. The donation, part of a broader partnership, will help restore the American Legion Hall and expand its role as a hub for veterans, youth and civic programs.

The event marked the kickoff of the public fundraising phase and featured speeches from local leaders, a Samsung Austin Semiconductor executive and representatives from the American Legion.

“Our Post has served veterans and this community for generations,” Post 39’s commander Scott Dean said. “This event is more than a kickoff—it is a moment of pride, gratitude and shared purpose.”

American Legion, Graham D. Luhn Post 39 at Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s 2025 Friend-Chip event in Taylor.
American Legion, Graham D. Luhn Post 39 at Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s 2025 Friend-Chip event in Taylor.
American Legion, Graham D. Luhn Post 39 at Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s 2025 Friend-Chip event in Taylor.
American Legion, Graham D. Luhn Post 39 at Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s 2025 Friend-Chip event in Taylor.

Since 2022, Samsung Austin Semiconductor has contributed more than $30,000 to Graham D. Luhn Post 39 to help fund community events such as the Fourth‑of‑July fireworks. Last summer, Samsung’s construction arm, Samsung E&C American, Inc. (SECAI), donated $50,000 to kickstart early restoration efforts. 

$50,000 donation from Samsung E&C America, Inc. to the American Legion, Graham D. Luhn Post 39 in August 2025.
$50,000 donation from Samsung E&C America, Inc. to the American Legion, Graham D. Luhn Post 39 in August 2025.
$50,000 donation from Samsung E&C America, Inc. to the American Legion, Graham D. Luhn Post 39 in August 2025.
$50,000 donation from Samsung E&C America, Inc. to the American Legion, Graham D. Luhn Post 39 in August 2025.

Up until the end of 2021, Dean said the hall hosted summer camps and provided free summer meals from the Taylor Independent School District, but the “building could no longer comfortably host guests or events.”

The additional $600,000 donation will accelerate much-needed repairs and allow the hall to host new programs, including workforce development, youth mentorship and community outreach.

“Recognizing the need for a safe and updated facility that can serve future generations, Samsung Austin Semiconductor is proud to share that we are making a significant investment in Post 39 to support both hall restoration and community programming,” Jon Taylor, Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s executive vice president of Infrastructure Technology, explained.

“Once the renovations are complete, the hall will once again serve as a gathering place where people can connect and engage in civic activities, workforce development, youth programming, housing assistance programs and other community initiatives,” Taylor added.

Taylor Mayor Dwayne Ariola, who also serves as the vice commander of Post 39, has been a passionate advocate for the revitalization of the American Legion Hall for the past 10 years. For Ariola, the American Legion Hall is more than just a building.

"The American Legion was the heart of Murphy Park; it was the heart of the homecoming," Ariola said, as he recounted all the fun events held at the hall through the years. "I thank Samsung for stepping up to the plate. It's all for the community."

Another American Legion member, Marco Ortiz, reminisced about the Tejano New Year's Eve party that was hosted by a local resident for years.

"There's a history behind that hall, and to see it come back to life is something exciting for this community," Ortiz said.

As a Marine Corps veteran, Ortiz says the American Legion is special to him because it's a place where veterans can connect regardless of the branch you served in. "It brings us together so that we can talk... talking with veterans and people like yourself who have gone through some of the things that you've gone through," added Ortiz.

Taylor Mayor Dwayne Ariola was a guest speaker at Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s Military Appreciation Group’s meeting in 2025.
Taylor Mayor Dwayne Ariola was a guest speaker at Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s Military Appreciation Group’s meeting in 2025.
Taylor Mayor Dwayne Ariola was a guest speaker at Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s Military Appreciation Group’s meeting in 2025.
Taylor Mayor Dwayne Ariola was a guest speaker at Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s Military Appreciation Group’s meeting in 2025.
Commitment to Veterans

Samsung Austin Semiconductor employs more than 600 veterans and actively recruits from Fort Hood.

“Veterans bring resilience, dedication and a shared sense of service—values that align perfectly with our work and our commitment to the local community,” Taylor said.

The company has been recognized with the U.S Department of Labor’s HIRE Vets Medallion Award and Texas’ We Hire Vets.

There is also a vibrant Military Appreciation Group at Samsung Austin Semiconductor whose mission is to foster a sense of community for those who have served or appreciate those who’ve served. 

 

Related contents
Related Contents