CHARTER SIGNED FOR WINTER HAVEN AMERICAN LEGION POST
On June 3, 1919, Winter Haven, Florida, was granted a Charter for the formation of an American Legion Post. The original charter hangs in the Main Room of Post 8. It was signed by Henry D. Lindsley, Chairman, National Executive Committee, in the Temporary Headquarters of the American Legion, 19 West 44th Street, New York, New York. Listed on the document are the following names of Winter Haven men requesting a Post: A.P. Butts, Cyprus L. Lee, E.H. McLean, Ervin Smith, John G. Bacon, E.W. Harrington, G.D. Brewer. T.V. Snivley, E.A. Commander, H. Tyron and T.F. Ballout.
History:
The March 1919 Paris Caucus set in motion The American Legion.
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic Veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, service members and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands at over 2.4 million in 14,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.
Over the years, the Legion has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans and produced many important programs for children and youth. Following is a chronology of significant dates in Legion history:
1919
March 15-17
Members of the American Expeditionary Force convene in Paris for the first American Legion caucus.
May 8-10
St. Louis Caucus. “The American Legion” is adopted as the organization’s official name. The Legion’s draft preamble and constitution are approved.
June 3
Charter Signed for Winter Haven American Legion Post
On June 3, 1919, Winter Haven, Florida, was granted a Charter for the formation of an American Legion Post. The original charter hangs in the Main Room of Post 8. It was signed by Henry D. Lindsley, Chairman, National Executive Committee, in the Temporary Headquarters of the American Legion, 19 West 44th Street, New York, New York. Listed on the document are the following names of Winter Haven men requesting a Post: A.P. Butts, Cyprus L. Lee, E.H. McLean, Ervin Smith, John G. Bacon, E.W. Harrington, G.D. Brewer. T.V. Snivley, E.A. Commander, H. Tyron and T.F. Ballout.
June 9
The National Executive Committee adopts the Legion emblem.
Sept. 16
Congress charters The American Legion.
Nov. 10-12
First Legion convention convenes in Minneapolis. The Constitution and preamble are adopted. Delegates vote 361-323 to locate the Legion’s national headquarters in Indianapolis, instead of Washington. A resolution is passed in support of Boy Scouts of America. Today, the Legion is the chartering agency for more than 1,700 Scouting units made up of approximately 64,000 youths.
1920’s
Winter Haven American Legion Post Receives National Post Charter
February 10, 1921
The National Post Charter, dated February 10, 1921, hangs in the Main Room of Post 8. This document shows the name of the Post as Frierson-Nichols. The name was selected to honor the first two individuals who died in World War I. Rhea Preston Frierson was born on October 18, 1895, and joined the Army in 1917. He was promoted to Sergeant in August 1918, and became ill with influenza on a ship on his way to France and died in a hospital in Brest, France, on his Birthday October 18, 1918. Veryl L. Nichols entered the Army on March 18, 1918, and was assigned to the 205 Aero Squadron and died in a training accident at Carlstrom Field in Arcadia, Florida, on August 12, 1918.
Aug. 9, 1921
The Legion’s efforts result in the creation of the U.S. Veterans Bureau, forerunner of the Veterans Administration. Today, the Legion continues to lobby for adequate funding to cover medical, disability, education and other benefits for veterans.
June 15, 1923
The first “Flag Code” is drafted during a Legion conference in Washington. Congress adopts the code in 1942. Today, the Legion is at the forefront of efforts to pass a constitutional amendment to protect the U.S. flag from physical desecration.
On August 14, 1924 the Charter for the Post 8 Ladies Auxiliary was signed by the National Secretary in National Headquarters, Indianapolis, Indiana. It was signed on August 25, 1924, by the Legion Department of Florida
July 17, 1925
The Legion creates the American Legion Baseball program. Today, more than 50 percent of Major League Baseball players are graduates of the program. About 82,000 youths play on Legion-sponsored teams each year.
1930’s
June 23, 1935
The first American Legion Boys State convenes in Springfield, Ill., to help youths gain an understanding of the structure and operation of the federal government. The first Boys Nation, bringing together youth leadership from all the Boys State programs, convenes in 1946. Today, more than 19,500 young men participate in Boys State, and 98 in Boys Nation, from 49 of the 50 states.
June 1, 1938
The final round of the Legion’s first annual National High School Oratorical Contest is conducted in Norman, Okla. Today, more than 3,400 high-school students from around the country compete annually in the contest, which promotes a greater understanding of the U.S. Constitution. Winners receive thousands of dollars in college scholarships.
1940’s
Dec. 15, 1943
Past National Commander Harry W. Colmery starts to write in longhand, on Mayflower Hotel stationery in Washington, the first draft of what will later become the “GI Bill of Rights” – considered the Legion’s single greatest legislative achievement.
June 22, 1944
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs into law the original GI Bill, or Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, ushering in monumental changes in U.S. society. Higher education becomes democratized after 8 million veterans go to school on the GI Bill, get better jobs, buy houses in the suburbs and raise families. For every dollar spent on educating veterans, the U.S. economy eventually gets $7 back.
May 29, 1946
The Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary present a small, struggling organization called the American Heart Association with a $50,000 grant. The grant inaugurates a nationwide program for the study, prevention and treatment of rheumatic heart disease.
Frierson-Nichols, Post 8 Honor Guard
In order to comply with a request from the Federal Government, Post 8 formed an Honor Guard to assist with the many funerals that had resulted at the request of families wanting their loved ones returned after the end of World War II. The then Post 8 Commander J.R. “Andy” Anderson appointed Captain R. Elmo Hood to be the Unit Commander from 1946; he remained at this post until he retired in 1965. He then became Captain Emeritus, a rank he held for many years. In the first funeral held was that of Sergeant John Olson of Dundee. Sergeant Olson’s father was head of the Dundee Citrus Growers Association for many years. To prepare for this event, the Honor Guard had received 12 uniforms through the Post (over the years, they have been mainly self-sustaining through raffles, etc.) The uniforms were legion blue with Eisenhower jackets and were used for many years. The Honor Guard is much requested now for events (funerals, special events, etc.) and stays busy even 69 years after its formation.
1950’s
May 4, 1950
The Legion votes to contribute funds to the field of mental health, thereby playing a key role in launching the National Association for Mental Health.
July 9, 1954
The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation is formed. Today, more than $11 million has been awarded to youth organizations and projects designed to help America’s children.
1960’s
Post 8 Completes a New Post Home
June 1, 1964
After years of moving from one place to another, from 1919 to 1964, the Post completed a new home!! The original home in 1919 was a metal building, perhaps not the best place to be in the Florida heat. The Legion made some land deals over the years, moving from one location to another. There was even a long-term rental (29 years) of a building located in downtown Winter Haven. In 1964, H. R. Summerville, was Commander and Ben Ashmead was Adjutant when the building was completed. The Building Committee consisted of: J.W. “Bill” Clarke, Chairman; J.R. Anderson; Billy Ross Raiden, Walter G. Bell, Luther W. Reel, Frank L. Holland, W.E. Rynerson; R. Elmo Hood, and H.B. Snively, Sr.
The Post is located what was originally an orange grove on the side of Lake Silver. About a 1/4 mile away is the location of a World War II POW Camp. The POW’s labored in the orange groves that existed on the site where Post 8 stands today.
The view of the lake is beautiful as it is filled with vegetation on one side; a view of Martin Luther, Jr. Park on the other, and roads that are close to the lake on the other two sides. The Cypress Gardens Water Ski team practices on the lake and often one may view a water ski show from the Post 8 deck. The Fourth of July fireworks (which take place on July 3rd) which is totally enjoyed by Post 8 takes place on Lake Silver. Members of the Post have great seats to this activity.
Additions have been made to the post over the years, but it is hard to determine where the additions are located except for the deck. The addition of two tiki huts in 2014-2015 has been an excellent improvement to the Post as well as the Post 8 Eagle, a chainsaw creation, made from the trunk of a tree that had to be removed.
Sept. 1, 1966
The Legion voices great concern over the fate of prisoners of war in Vietnam. Today, the Legion urges a full accounting of all POWs and troops missing in action; and has formed a special group from among the nation’s major Veterans organizations to continue pressing for further resolution of this issue.
Aug. 24, 1969
The Legion’s National Executive Committee establishes the National Emergency Fund as a result of the effects of Hurricane Camille.
1970’s
May 1, 1972
The Legion implements a Halloween safety program for children; it remains the only national program of its kind.
April 1, 1975
The Legion-sponsored Freedom Bell goes aboard the Freedom Train during its tour of the country in celebration of the U.S. Bicentennial. Six years later, the bell is dedicated at its permanent home in Columbus Plaza, opposite Union Station in Washington.
1980’s
Squadron 8, Sons of the American Legion, Winter Haven, Florida
Squadron 8 became a part of Post 8, Winter Haven, Florida, on February 19, 1976, when the request was signed by National Headquarters. It had been signed by Department on January 5, 1976.
Aug. 26, 1982
The Legion presents a $1 million check to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for construction of the Wall in Washington, becoming the largest single contributor to the project.
July 21, 1983
The Legion announces its sponsorship of an independent study on the effects of exposure to Agent Orange on Vietnam War veterans. Congress receives the results of the “American Legion-Columbia University Study of Vietnam-era Veterans” in 1989.
Jan. 1, 1989
The Veterans Administration is elevated to Cabinet-level status as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Legion fought hard for the change, arguing that veterans deserve representation at the highest levels of government.
Oct. 16, 1989
The long-standing objective of the Legion to improve adjudication procedures for Veterans claims is achieved when the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals becomes operational. Most of the provisions contained in the law creating the court were originally included in the Veterans Reassurance Act, written by the Legion and introduced in Congress in 1988.
1990’s
Aug. 2, 1990
The Legion files suit against the federal government for failure to conduct a Congress-mandated study about the effects of Agent Orange on veterans who served in Vietnam.
Oct. 11, 1990
The Legion creates the Family Support Network to assist families of service members deployed for operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Middle East. Through local posts, the network offers a wide range of assistance, including financial assistance, mowing lawns, baby-sitting and more. Today, FSN continues to assist families affected by military activation and deployment.
June 15, 1991
The Legion hosts its first Junior Shooting Sports National Air Rifle Championships at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Today, more than 2,000 high school students a year enter the contest, which teaches gun safety and marksmanship.
Aug. 24, 1994
The Legion announces the creation of the Citizens Flag Alliance, a coalition of organizations and individual citizens united to work for a constitutional amendment to protect the U.S. flag from physical desecration. Since 1995, the amendment has passed in the House by a supermajority six times: in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2005. In 2006, the amendment fell one vote short of passage in the Senate.
Oct. 1, 1995
The Legion forms the Persian Gulf Task Force to enhance service for the newest generation of wartime veterans, thousands of whom suffer from illnesses linked to their service in the region.
Sept. 16, 1996
The Legion awards a $20,000 college scholarship to each of the 10 inaugural Samsung American Legion high school scholars.
June 11, 1997
The National Emergency Fund surpasses the $1 million mark in cash grants given to flood victims who belong to the Legion family. Most grant recipients reside in the flood plains of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Minnesota and North Dakota.
Sept. 3, 1997
The Legion presents its first National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award at the 79th National Convention in Orlando, Fla.
2000’s
March 29, 2000
Senate Joint Resolution 14, the constitutional amendment that would return the people’s right to protect the U.S. flag from physical desecration, falls four votes short of the necessary 67 to override a presidential veto.
November 2002
The Legion launches the national “I Am Not A Number” campaign to identify and document the delays veterans face in obtaining medical care from VA.
August 2005
Delegates at the 87th National Convention in Honolulu unanimously voice their support for the global war on terrorism with Resolution 169.
June 30, 2008
President George W. Bush signs into law the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, a next-generation GI Bill strongly supported by the Legion. The bill renews the federal government’s commitment to veterans by providing them with substantially better education benefits. The Post-9/11 GI Bill took effect Aug. 1, 2009, and sent an unprecedented number of veterans to college. Today, as at its formation, the Legion remains at the forefront of efforts to improve education and other benefits for all veterans.
February 2010
The entire Legion family bands together and wins $250,000 for Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW) in PepsiCo’s Refresh Everything Project, submitting the most votes in an online contest and beating out hundreds of other groups and charities to take first place in the contest’s first month. A big part of getting the word out was the American Legion Online Update e-newsletter. This is an early example of the still growing power of online and social media to augment everything the Legion does.
October 2010
Continuing a long-standing tradition of advocating for timely and adequate medical care for veterans, the Legion forms a PTS-TBI Ad Hoc Committee to both examine current methods by VA and the Department of Defense of treating the two conditions, and investigate potential alternatives.
December 2010
The Legion officially begins a relationship with United States Automobile Association (USAA), making the veteran-founded insurance company “The American Legion’s preferred provider of financial services.” The purchase of USAA products gains money for Legion programs. USAA representatives often give members helpful financial information and tips through Legion media.
August 2011
The American Legion Baseball World Series is held for the first time in the tournament’s new permanent home, Shelby, N.C. Prior to this, the tournament had rotated to different cities. Total paid attendance at the Shelby contests soars to an all-time high of 86,000 total.
MISSION
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic Veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.
Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Operation Comfort Warriors program supports recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing them with “comfort items” and the kind of support that makes a hospital feel a little bit more like home. The Legion also raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families during times of need and to provide college scholarship opportunities.
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation’s Veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.