As the Chediski-Rodeo fire in Arizona which began on June 18, 2002 went completely out of control, it threatened the city of Showlow and surrounding communities. By June 23, authorities ordered the city evacuated, and the only roads open led to Eager and Springerville (adjoining towns), an hour away. Several thousand evacuees remained in Eager and Springerville between June 23 and June 30, when residents were finally allowed to return. In the meantime, evacuees were welcomed into the high school dome in Eager, and into homes. Many simply camped out in tents, trailers, and even sleeping bags in the fields. During this time the John H. Slaughter American Legion Post 30 in Springerville served 1,383 free meals at the Legion Hall; 283 people came into the Hall for showers. Legion members by the droves volunteered to assist in this effort. All the civic organizations in the two towns welcomed the evacuees. Stores donated food, many donated labor to prepare food at the Legion Hall, in churches and schools. Evacuees helped; at the Legion a core of evacuees helped to clean the restrooms and showers every day.
The forward thinking regarding emergency disaster relief during the planning of the new Legion Hall was vindicated. The large kitchen, restrooms and showers were a godsend during this disaster.
