Post 28 Beltsville, Maryland
Post 28
Beltsville, Maryland
HISTORY
1930
apply for a charter from the Department of Maryland.
Jan 1, 1931
Lewis Babcock and W. L. A. Strawbridge envision a need for an American Legion Post for Takoma Park. They obtain the signatures of fifteen World War One veterans and apply for a charter from the Department of Maryland.
Lewis Babcock and W. L. A. Strawbridge envision a need for an American Legion Post for Takoma Park. They obtain the signatures of fifteen World War One veterans and apply for a charter from the Department of Maryland.
officially organized
Mar 31, 1931
The Post, near the meeting point of Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, and Washington D. C., is officially organized. Department Commander George Henderson installs the officers.
The Post, near the meeting point of Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, and Washington D. C., is officially organized. Department Commander George Henderson installs the officers.
temporary charter
May 7, 1931
The National American Legion grants a temporary charter to Takoma Park Post 28. The first meeting is held in the Takoma Park Fire Hall on Carroll Avenue.
The National American Legion grants a temporary charter to Takoma Park Post 28. The first meeting is held in the Takoma Park Fire Hall on Carroll Avenue.
National Commander's "Citation for Distinguished Service."
Jul 1, 1931
For increased membership Post 28 receives the "Mattingly Trophy" and a National Commander's "Citation for Distinguished Service."
For increased membership Post 28 receives the "Mattingly Trophy" and a National Commander's "Citation for Distinguished Service."
organize The American Legion Auxiliary of Post 28
Oct 26, 1931
Mrs. Charles Hartley helps organize The American Legion Auxiliary of Post 28.There are 11 members at the first meeting held at her home.
Mrs. Charles Hartley helps organize The American Legion Auxiliary of Post 28.There are 11 members at the first meeting held at her home.
Auxilliary Charter granted
Jan 2, 1932
Mrs. Charles Conrad , President of the Maryland Auxiliary, presented the unit with its Charter. Mrs. T. Walker, past District President of the Auxiliary, presented Mrs. Conrad with a gavel. During its first year, the auxiliary is active in relief work and food and clothing collections for needy families. The membership increases to 25.
Mrs. Charles Conrad , President of the Maryland Auxiliary, presented the unit with its Charter. Mrs. T. Walker, past District President of the Auxiliary, presented Mrs. Conrad with a gavel. During its first year, the auxiliary is active in relief work and food and clothing collections for needy families. The membership increases to 25.
designated as the "Flag Post"
Feb 9, 1933
Takoma Park Post 28 is designated as the "Flag Post" of the State by the Department of Maryland. Several Embassies of our World War One Allies present their Nation's flag to the Post.
Takoma Park Post 28 is designated as the "Flag Post" of the State by the Department of Maryland. Several Embassies of our World War One Allies present their Nation's flag to the Post.
participates in the Armistice Day Ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery
Nov 11, 1933
Post 28 participates in the Armistice Day Ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery with amassing of Allied flags. A member of the post, bearing that Countries' flag, accompanies a representative of each Allied Nation of Word War I as they advance and place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Post 28 participates in the Armistice Day Ceremonies at Arlington Cemetery with amassing of Allied flags. A member of the post, bearing that Countries' flag, accompanies a representative of each Allied Nation of Word War I as they advance and place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
1940
the first building
Dec 1, 1941
Morris Miller of Washington, D.C. donates to the Post the first building. The one story (15'x12') building is the foyer and powder room of our present Post. W. H. McCeney is responsible for having it transported and placed upon our property. Mr. McCeney also furnishes the material and builds a boardwalk the length of the front of the building.
Morris Miller of Washington, D.C. donates to the Post the first building. The one story (15'x12') building is the foyer and powder room of our present Post. W. H. McCeney is responsible for having it transported and placed upon our property. Mr. McCeney also furnishes the material and builds a boardwalk the length of the front of the building.
Civil Defense plane spotter observation tower
Jan 1, 1942
Post 28 Commander Martin F. Iverson supervises the construction of a 25' tall tower attached to the southwest side of the original building. The tower is 100 square feet at the base with a windowed room, siren and navigation light on top. The tower is used as a Civil Defense plane spotter observation tower during World War II.
Post 28 Commander Martin F. Iverson supervises the construction of a 25' tall tower attached to the southwest side of the original building. The tower is 100 square feet at the base with a windowed room, siren and navigation light on top. The tower is used as a Civil Defense plane spotter observation tower during World War II.
Commander of the Department of Maryland
Jul 1, 1943
Martin Iverson becomes the 28th Commander of the Department of Maryland.
Martin Iverson becomes the 28th Commander of the Department of Maryland.
deed of two plots of land
Feb 23, 1944
In exchange for $1,000, Mr. Robert E. Latimer conveys a deed of two plots of land (6.62 acres) to Post 28 with the understanding the land is to be used for American Legion activities. It is the last part of 182.74 acres the Latimer Company owned and used to mine gravel. Mr. Latimer donates the $1,000 back and is responsible for having the land graded for the Post home.
In exchange for $1,000, Mr. Robert E. Latimer conveys a deed of two plots of land (6.62 acres) to Post 28 with the understanding the land is to be used for American Legion activities. It is the last part of 182.74 acres the Latimer Company owned and used to mine gravel. Mr. Latimer donates the $1,000 back and is responsible for having the land graded for the Post home.
3" ami-aircraft artillery piece
Jan 1, 1946
Members of Post 28 acquire World War II Army surplus ordinance from the Bainbridge Training Center on the Susquehanna River. The 3" ami-aircraft artillery piece with a welded breech remains at the entrance to the Post,
Members of Post 28 acquire World War II Army surplus ordinance from the Bainbridge Training Center on the Susquehanna River. The 3" ami-aircraft artillery piece with a welded breech remains at the entrance to the Post,
Quonset hut
Jan 1, 1947
Post 28 acquires a (60'x25') surplus former Quonset hut used in World War Two. An exterior (12'x60') wood-frame office/storage room runs the length of the northwest side of the original building. The Quonset hut is transformed into a meeting room with a small kitchen in the southeast corner. The office/storage area is changed into a bar, passageway, and furnace room.
Post 28 acquires a (60'x25') surplus former Quonset hut used in World War Two. An exterior (12'x60') wood-frame office/storage room runs the length of the northwest side of the original building. The Quonset hut is transformed into a meeting room with a small kitchen in the southeast corner. The office/storage area is changed into a bar, passageway, and furnace room.
permit for a club house
Feb 18, 1948
Prince Georges County Commissioners issue a permit for a club house on the premises of Latimer's Gravel Pit. The pit is located on the north side of Powdermill Road about one-quarter of a mile west of Cherry Hill Road and three miles east of Beltsville. It is zoned "Residential "A".
Prince Georges County Commissioners issue a permit for a club house on the premises of Latimer's Gravel Pit. The pit is located on the north side of Powdermill Road about one-quarter of a mile west of Cherry Hill Road and three miles east of Beltsville. It is zoned "Residential "A".
1950
First-Lieutenant John Latimer, killed
Aug 23, 1951
First-Lieutenant John Latimer, U.S. Army, is one of nine people killed when an Air Force C-47 crashes near the Summit Alaska airport.
First-Lieutenant John Latimer, U.S. Army, is one of nine people killed when an Air Force C-47 crashes near the Summit Alaska airport.
Rest rooms are added
Jan 1, 1953
Rest rooms are added to the northeast side of the original structure.
Rest rooms are added to the northeast side of the original structure.
first "American Legion Awards" from Post 28
Jun 1, 1956
High Point High School presents the first "American Legion Awards" from Post 28. The faculty elected two graduating seniors best representing "courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service."
High Point High School presents the first "American Legion Awards" from Post 28. The faculty elected two graduating seniors best representing "courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship and service."
highest point in Prince George's County
Jan 1, 1957
Workers from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission place a 10" square cement marker with a circular 3 1/2" diameter metal disk on Post 28 property. They designate this as the highest point in Prince George's County. The compass bearings are southwest of the edge of the driveway and 9' northwest of Powdermill Road. On the disk is written "Azimuth Mark U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey." National Geodetic Survey has no record of this marker.
Workers from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission place a 10" square cement marker with a circular 3 1/2" diameter metal disk on Post 28 property. They designate this as the highest point in Prince George's County. The compass bearings are southwest of the edge of the driveway and 9' northwest of Powdermill Road. On the disk is written "Azimuth Mark U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey." National Geodetic Survey has no record of this marker.
John B, Latimer Post 28.
Oct 28, 1958
The National Organization of The American Legion Headquarters grants a Supplemental Charter changing Takoma Park Post 28 to the John B, Latimer Post 28.
The National Organization of The American Legion Headquarters grants a Supplemental Charter changing Takoma Park Post 28 to the John B, Latimer Post 28.
