Post 351 Hughes Springs, Texas

Post 351

Hughes Springs, Texas

Post 351 Hughes Springs, Texas

About This Post

Post Namesake
Arden Holmes Hanes Second Lieutenant Hanes was a World War II bomber pilot. He and his crew were on submarine patrol duty when lost at sea with no survivors.
Notable Members
Chief Petty Officer John Melvin McCoy; Pearl Harbor Survivor, USS Tennessee

Photos

HISTORY

1940

Post 351 Member Was A Pearl Harbor Attack Survivor

Dec 7, 1941
Gunners Mate John 'Melvin' McCoy (shown in his official U.S. Navy photo) was assigned to the USS Tennessee, berthed on battleship row, when Pearl Harbor came under attack. He had been in the Navy for four years at the time and had just finished his gun inspections when the attack commenced. He related how he was reading a Honolulu newspaper article about the University of Texas winning a football game when he heard the first..
Full Story
Post 351 Member Was A Pearl Harbor Attack Survivor
Chief McCoy Was A Post 351 Honor Guard Member

Chief McCoy Was A Post 351 Honor Guard Member

Dec 7, 1941
Fast forward over 60 years and Chief Petty Officer McCoy was still serving as a Post 351 Honor Guard member, shown sounding taps at one of the many military funerals he participated in. Melvin and his wife Pansy were able to attend the 2001 60th anniversary reunion of Pearl Harbor survivors.
Full Story

Harris Joins WAVES As Pharmacist Mate

Jun 8, 1944
Verna Ruth Harris wanted to enlist after Pearl Harbor was bombed but had to wait until she was 21 to apply for the Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergencies (WAVES). She completed boot camp at Hunter College, NY and then corpsman school in San Diego, CA. She was assigned as a Pharmacist Mate at a Naval cadet flying base in Iowa City, IA.
Full Story
Harris Joins WAVES As Pharmacist Mate
Harris is American Legion Texas Volunteer of the Year

Harris is American Legion Texas Volunteer of the Year

Jun 8, 1944
Fast forward 60 years after Verna Ruth Harris enlisted as a U.S. Navy WAVE in June, 1944. At 81 years old, she received the Volunteer of the Year award presented by the American Legion Department of Texas. She was one of 18 nominees from 126 posts and drove an hour to volunteer at the Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic in Longview for years.
Full Story

Application For Arden Hanes Post 351 Charter

Nov 3, 1944
An application for the American Legion charter of Arden Hanes Post 351, Hughes Springs Texas was signed by H. V. Grainger on November 3, 1944.
Full Story
Application For Arden Hanes Post 351 Charter
Arden Hanes Post 351 Charter Members

Arden Hanes Post 351 Charter Members

Nov 3, 1944
American Legion Arden Hanes Post 351 began with 15 charter members. They included Ernest Holt, J.A. Burleson, J.V. Grainger, Horace V. Cable, M.E Reed, Winferd Williams, John R. Callaway, William Curry, Joe W. Hall, James R. Beckett, H.A. Martin, Thomas E. Odell, Ray Dudley, R.C. Truitt, and E.M. Stackpole.
Full Story

Post 351 Namesake Second Lieutenant Arden Holmes Hanes

Nov 3, 1944
Official Army Air Corps photo of American Legion Post 351 Namesake, Second Lieutenant Arden Holmes Hanes. Lieutenant Hanes was a World War II bomber pilot. He and his crew were on submarine patrol duty when lost at sea with no survivors.
Full Story
Post 351 Namesake Second Lieutenant Arden Holmes Hanes
Bodies Returned From War Met By Post 351 Honor Guard

Bodies Returned From War Met By Post 351 Honor Guard

Dec 5, 1947
As the bodies of local heroes were returned to Hughes Springs after the war, members of the Hughes Springs Honor Guard were there to fire 3-shot volleys and sound Taps.
Full Story

Post 351 Members Serve As Pall Bearers For Returned Heroes

Dec 5, 1947
As the bodies of local military members were returned to Hughes Springs for interment, Post 351 members served as pall bearers and conducted the military service.
Full Story
Post 351 Members Serve As Pall Bearers For Returned Heroes

1950

Post 351 Members Attend Texas State Convention

Post 351 Members Attend Texas State Convention

May 10, 1953
Post 351 Commander L.D. Harmon is in the front row, second from the right
Full Story

2000

Newly Formed Post 351 Honor Guard Drills

Aug 1, 2000
The newly formed Hughes Springs Post 351 Honor Guard is put through its' paces under the watchful eye of former Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Richard Hall.
Full Story
Newly Formed Post 351 Honor Guard Drills
Americanism Citation For Outstanding Community Service

Americanism Citation For Outstanding Community Service

Nov 8, 2000
Hughes Springs Post 351 received an Americanism Citation for outstanding community service. The citation was the sixth award for outstanding or meritorious service the post received in 2000.
Full Story

American Legion Post 351 Women's Auxiliary Gather

Jan 10, 2001
The Post 351 Women's Auxiliary active in numerous community activities and post events.
Full Story
American Legion Post 351 Women's Auxiliary Gather
Post 351 Float Hosts Veterans In Parade

Post 351 Float Hosts Veterans In Parade

Apr 28, 2001
Hughes Springs Post 351 used a float to host numerous veterans during the Wildflower Trails parades.
Full Story

Honor Guard Leads Parade With Grand Marshal Eagles Rock Group Lead Singer

Apr 28, 2001
Eagles Rock Group lead singer Don Henley returned to Linden, his hometown, and was the Grand Marshal for the Wildflower Trails Parade led by the Post 351 Color Guard.
Full Story
Honor Guard Leads Parade With Grand Marshal Eagles Rock Group Lead Singer
American Legion Post 351 Women's Auxiliary Float

American Legion Post 351 Women's Auxiliary Float

Apr 28, 2001
Celebrating our nation's independence, the American Legion Women's Auxiliary of Post 351 in Hughes Springs decorated this float, entered in the Wildflower Trails parades in Avinger, Hughes Springs and Linden.
Full Story

Women's Auxiliary Parade Float Receives Award

Apr 29, 2002
The Post 351 Women's Auxiliary Wildflower Trails Parade Float received the Best Presentation Award.
Full Story
Women's Auxiliary Parade Float Receives Award
Veterans Monument Dedicated

Veterans Monument Dedicated

May 24, 2003
Retired Army Major General Willard Latham was the guest speaker at the dedication of a Veteran's Monument in Spring Park, Hughes Springs TX. Over one thousand people observed the dedication ceremony. Brick pavers went on sale for engraving in July, 2001. Ground breaking by Post 351 members occurred in September of 2002 with 970 pavers sold by that time. The monument was designed with 956 pavers on the front and 700 pavers on the back...
Full Story

Early Post 351 Building Sold

Jul 8, 2003
Not the original Post 351 home (photo unavailable), but an early post building was sold. A newer building was renovated to become the new (and current) Post 351 home that is shown at the beginning of the post history.
Full Story
Early Post 351 Building Sold

2010

Post 351 Honor Guard At Veteran's Memorial 10 Years After Planning Began

Post 351 Honor Guard At Veteran's Memorial 10 Years After Planning Began

Feb 6, 2012
The Post 351 Honor Guard standing in front of the Hughes Springs Veteran's Memorial several months before the tenth anniversary of ground breaking for the memorial.
Full Story