Post 12 Norwalk, Connecticut

Post 12

Norwalk, Connecticut

Post 12 Norwalk, Connecticut

About This Post

Post Namesake
Frank C. Godfrey
Notable Members
Adjutant - Arthur C. Kelly
What Makes this Post Unique
Post 12 Norwalk works well with the local community on a number of events held each year.Our "Veteran of the Month, U.S.Flag memorial service" honors a deceased veteran and their family. This program is attended by the local City officials, ... READ MORE

HISTORY

1910

The first meeting

Apr 11, 1919
On April 11th, 1919, a meeting of ex-service men was held at City Hall, South Norwalk, and plans for the organization were made. No name was chosen for the organization, but a committee was appointed to investigate and report as to what had been done in other cities of Connecticut.
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The charter is signed

Jun 3, 1919
On June 3rd, another meeting for all ex-service men was held and officers were elected. There were speeches by Philo Calhoun and others. The application for a Charter was signed by those present. John Keogh was elected Commander.
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Welcome Home Day

Sep 17, 1919
On September 17th, the local Post of the Legion helped the Mayor’s Committee of sixty and other organizations to carry out successfully a Welcome Home Day for the ex-service men of Norwalk. A big parade and clam-bake were features of the day.
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1920

Washington's Birthday

Feb 22, 1920
On Washington’s Birthday, February 22, 1920, at the Palace Theatre in South Norwalk (opened in 1914, 1150 seats), the Post held a Memorial Service for those who had paid the supreme sacrifice. Certificates of Honor from the French Government were presented to the nearest of kin of those who had given their lives. Congressman Augustine Lonergan spoke, and the local G.A.R. Post presented silk colors to the Legion Post.
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Memorial Day events

May 30, 1920
Members of the Post decorated the graves of comrades who had passed on, a custom which has been followed yearly since that time. A Memorial Day Parade was held on May 31st.
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Women's Auxiliary Unit formed

Jan 17, 1921
The women’s Auxiliary Unit was organized January 17th, 1921. Meetings of the Post were held at City Hall for a while after its organization, later in the Roodner Building, and the Central Trust Co. Building.
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Cannon presentation to City of Norwalk

Jul 16, 1921
The Post took part in a celebration in honor of the presentation of a cannon to the City of Norwalk by the French government. M. Casanave of France was the speaker at the dedication ceremonies. NOTE: this cannon now surmounts a permanent memorial to the ex-service men of on the Norwalk Town Green.
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Cannon presentation to City of Norwalk

Open meeting honoring Lt. Frank C. Godfrey

Nov 8, 1921
An open meeting was held. A picture of Lt. Frank C. Godfrey and the Post's colors were dedicated in a fitting manner.
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Boxing at the Legion

Feb 28, 1922
On February 28th, a rally and boxing show was held for ex-service men and the general public. There were speeches and music, and refreshments were served by the Auxiliary.
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New post home

Jun 21, 1922
The new club house was formally opened by the members of the Legion and the Auxiliary. Guests were entertained, and a history of the careers of Frank C. Godfrey and his predecessors was read.
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Firemen's Parade

Jul 3, 1922
On July 3rd, the Post and Auxiliary were represented in the Firemen's Parade by a float portraying "The Tribute to an Unknown Soldier". This float won a prize.
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Armistice Day

Nov 11, 1922
On November 11th, the big Armistice Day parade was held. The 192nd Regiment National Guard, Military and fraternal organizations, and delegations from many cities too part in this parade. Lieutenant Governor Templeton and other notables of the State were guests of teh City of Norwalk that day. This great parade was originally planned at a meeting of the American Legion Post and afterwards arranged by a General Committee of ex-service men and prominent citizens.
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Post moves to new building

Feb 1, 1923
On February 1st, the Post moved to quarters in the brand new Odd Fellows' Building at 70 South Main Street, South Norwalk. This place was considered a better location for a meeting-place than the club-house on Wilton Avenue, Norwalk.
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Mass meeting

Apr 17, 1923
On April 17th, a mass meeting and smoker was held at the Armory to interest outsiders in the work of the Legion. During the spring the paid membership of the Post was doubled as a result of the work of the officers and members.
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Memorial Day service

May 27, 1923
The Post attended a Memorial service at the Norwalk Methodist Episcopal Church. Our contribution to the "Overseas Graves Endowment Fund" was $25.00, raised by the Adjutant of the Post, without public solicitation. Commander Downs has been engaged in looking after the interests of ex-service men, advocating among other things, the appointment of ex-service men to positions on both the local and state police forces. An outdoor Memorial Service was held at City Hall, South Norwalk.
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Legionnaires help neighboring town establish a Post

Aug 28, 1923
On August 28th, members of the Frank C. Godfrey Post and Auxiliary journeyed to Wilton to attend a meeting of the Wilton Post and upon this occasion and American Legion Auxiliary unit was formed in that town.
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Membership growth

Dec 31, 1923
The growth of the post is evidenced by the fact that at the close of the year 1923 the records showed nearly three times as many paid up members as were recorded at the end of the year 1922.
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New officer installation

Jan 15, 1924
The officers for the year were installed by Past-Commander George Moore of Bridgeport. The officers of the Auxiliary were also installed on the same evening.
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Movie night at the armory

Apr 22, 1924
The motion picture "Flashes of Action" was shown at the Armory under the auspices of the Legion Post. Comrade Ernest Coulter explained many of the scenes shown. The Post gained nearly $200 for this event.
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5th anniversary

May 6, 1924
The 5th anniversary banquet was held at Odd Fellows' Hall. Department Commander E.P. Armstrong, the guest of honor, gave a stirring talk to the members and guests who were present. The four past commanders of the post were presented with pat commander emblems. About one hundred applications for membership were received by this post during the state-wide membership drive.
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Memorial Day events

May 25, 1924
Members of the Post and Auxiliary in conjunction with the local VFW and Auxiliary conducted a successful Poppy Sale. Graves of departed comrades were decorated on May 25th in accordance with usual custom, and the Post and Auxiliary members attended a Memorial Service at the South Norwalk Baptist Church in the evening. The usual Memorial Day parade and exercises were held on May 30th with the legion taking an active part.
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Carnival

Aug 18, 1924
A carnival arranged by the Legion Post and the Lockwood Baseball Club, opened at Amusement Park on August 18 and netted the Post $200.
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National Defense Day

Sep 12, 1924
The first National Defense Day was observed i Norwalk on September 12, 1924. Early in the evening a street parade was held, Vice Commander Anson F. Keeler being Grand Marshal and Commander LeRoy D. Downs Chief-of-Staff. The local military, civic, and veterans' organizations, also delegations representing several fraternal organizations, took part in the event. Comrade Ernest K. Coulter of Frank C. Godfrey Post delivered an inspiring patriotic address at the State Armory, as part of..
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Drill Team formed

Sep 22, 1924
On this day, at a special meeting of the Post, the Frank C. Godfrey Post Drill Team was organized, Vice-Commander Anson F. Keeler being the unanimous choice for captain. The first drill was held on September 26th and since that time this snappy outfit has appeared in public to the credit of the Legion, in Norwalk and other cities, on several occasions.
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Service certificate event

Sep 29, 1924
Over 800 World War I veterans were assisted in filing applications for Adjusted Service Certificates (Adjusted Compensation) at Norwalk High School between September 29 and October 6, members of the Post and Auxiliary doing the necessary clerical work. Members of the local Red Cross chapter cooperated wit the Legion in the work also.
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Lt Dan R. Edwards

Oct 21, 1924
A testimonial dinner was tendered for Lieutenant Dan R. Edwards at the Mahackemo Hotel following which Lt. Edwards was the honored guest at an open meeting of the Frank C. Godfrey Post at Odd Fellows' Hall, South Norwalk. Mayor Thomas Robins paid high tribute to Comrade Edwards and welcomed him to the city. The Reverend Ernest F. McGregor offered the invocation and Colonel Ernest K. Coulter introduced Comrade Edwards at the meeting, which was..
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Elected officers for 1925

Jan 6, 1925
The officers elected for the year 1926 and installed in a ceremony on January 6th were: Commander, Anson F. Keeler Vice-Commander, Murray J. Israel Vice Commander, Archibald Merriam Adjutant, Harry L. Cohen Finance Officer, Everett W. Brundage Assistant Finance Officer, Lloyd R. Sturges Chaplain, George W. Schultz Sergeant-at-Arms, William O'Grady Historian, Archibald Merriam
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CT Governor visits

Mar 18, 1925
Governor John H. Trumbull and his entire staff attended the exhibition on the evening of March 18th. As a result of this venture the sum of $500 was turned over to the local Red Cross for use in welfare work.
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Memorial Day events

May 24, 1925
The Legion Drill Team and other members of the Post joined with members of the other veterans organizations in services at the various cemeteries and in decorating graves of comrades who have passed on. In the evening members of the Post and Auxiliary attended a memorial service at the East Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. The local Legion Post was well represented in the annual Memorial Day parade on May 30th.
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40 & 8

Dec 12, 1925
The Drill Team gave an exhibition drill at the public square in Newburgh, NY at the occasion of a "40 & 8" initiation. On December 19th, Past Commander LeRoy Downs was elected Fairfield County Chef de Gare of the "40 & 8". Historian note: For more on the "40 & 8" (40 men and 8 horses), please visit this site for a timeline of the organization's existence: Forty and Eight
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Post installation

Jan 5, 1926
The newly elected officers were installed by County Vice Commander, Harry Hull and Comrade Jack Coughlin of Ridgefield, Dan Edwards and Comrade William H. Clark of New York City were present. Other guests of the Post were General Robert W. Marshall, Commanding Officer of the U.S. Veterans Hospital at Allingtown (now West Haven, CT); Past Commander John Batterson of Douglas Fowler Post, G.A.R. and Past Commander Charles Israel of Mulvoy-Tarlov Post, VFW all of whom..
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Annual banquet

Apr 10, 1926
The Annual Banquet of the American Legion of Fairfield County was held at the Royal James Hotel in Norwalk. State Commander Harry Jackson gave an interesting address; Comrade Harold Connery of Georgetown was presented with a gavel for his Post, as a reward for the 100 percent membership. There was a fine dinner, snappy entertainment and a large attendance. Past Department Vice Commander, LeRoy Downs arranged the affair.
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Drill team marches at National Convention

Oct 12, 1926
The Drill Team of the Post marched in the National Convention Parade of the American Legion at Philadelphia. The officers in charge of the local organization being Captain Anson Keeler and Lieutenants Philip Sherwood and LeRoy Downs. The team was greeted with applause all along the line of march and won honorable mention for their appearance and maneuvers. Many other members of the Post and Auxiliary also attended the convention held in the Sesquicentennial Auditorium.
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Joint installation

Jan 4, 1927
A joint installation of the officers of the Frank C. Godfrey Post and Auxiliary for 1927 was held at Odd Fellows' Hall. Delegations from the various other veterans organizations and other interested citizens were present. County Commander Harry E. Hull of Ridgefield installed the officers of the post. The retiring commander, Murray Israel, was the recipient of a past commander's badge, presented by Past Commander LeRoy Downs on behalf of the Post. There were brief..
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Reorganization for Post 51 in Darien

Mar 10, 1927
The Officers and members of Frank C. Godfrey Post, headed by P.C. LeRoy Downs, conducted a reorganization meeting at Darien, as the result of which Ernest F. Sexton Post 51 was firmly reestablished as on of the active Legion Posts of the Department.
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Seely Cup

May 19, 1927
At the County meeting at Ridgefield, the Seely Cup for outstanding Community Betterment work was awarded to Frank C. Godfrey Post in recognition of the East Norwalk Mill Pond work accomplished during the past winter by a Community Betterment Committee headed by Comrade Alphonse Canevari.
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Riverside Cemetery and Memorial Day service

May 25, 1927
The Post Commander spoke at a luncheon meeting of the local Lions Club at the Royal James Hotel in Norwalk, The Officers and members of the Post dedicated the cannon memorial at the American Legion Plot at Riverside Cemetery. The dedication service was conducted by comrades Anson F. Keeler, LeRoy Downs, Joseph Brotherton and Ernest Coulter. In the evening, members of the Post and Auxiliary attended a Memorial Day Service at the South Norwalk Baptist..
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State Forest dedication

Jul 16, 1927
Post Commander Merriam attended the dedication of the Legion Forest at Barkhamsted. This forest was purchased and presented to the State of Connecticut by the American Legion Posts of Connecticut, including Post 12 in Norwalk.
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American Legion Day at Soldiers' Home

Jun 16, 1929
American Legion Day at the Soldiers' Home in Noroton saw three new rooms on the third floor get dedicated for the exclusive use of World War Veterans.
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1930

New post organized

Jun 10, 1930
The American Legion Post of veterans of color (edited), was organized at Paterson's Inn, Day Street, by Past Commanders Downs, Goldschmidt, and Merriam. Comrade Alphonse Canevari also assisted in the organization of this Post, which was later named the Joseph Blunt Post.
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Installment of officers and Thomas Edison

Oct 20, 1931
Albert Herman was elected to serve as Commander for the year 1932, Henry Lane as Sr Vice Commander, James W Kelly Jr as Jr Vice Commander and Joseph Hertz, Adjutant. Joint installation of Post and Auxiliary officers was held on on this date. The installing officer for the Post was State Commander James Breslin. Past Commander Keogh was master of ceremonies. The Adjutant of Joseph Blunt Post presented State Commander Breslin with 100% re-enrollment for..
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Armistice services

Nov 8, 1931
Members of the Post attended Armistice services at the SOuth Norwalk Baptist Church. Motion picture "Legion on Parade" was witnessed by those in attendance. Post members, with their colors, participated in the parade at Danbury.
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National Commander visits

Feb 13, 1933
National Commander Louis Johnson made his official visit to Connecticut and addressed Connecticut Legionnaires at Horace Bushnell Memorial Hall in Hartford.
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Cemetery marker project

Mar 3, 1933
From January 30 through March 3, 1933, Adjutant Joseph Hertz conducted a campaign to procure State Headstones for the graves of deceased veterans of the Civil and World Wars buried in local cemeteries. This was made a city project and employment in interviewing local families and completing the applications was given to ten people supervised by Past Commander Merriam. As a result of this work many new headstones were erected in the cemeteries of Norwalk..
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Radio broadcast

Mar 4, 1933
A nationwide radio broadcast over NBC with outstanding leaders in American life on the program was arranged for the American Legion. It was called the Victory broadcast of the Legion in celebration of the results of the most intensive membership effort in the history of the organization.
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SAL

Feb 11, 1936
Comrade Hermas Poirier was appointed local Chairman of the Sons of the Legion Committee. Plans for the summer activities were started.
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Veteran's "Round Up"

May 17, 1937
A "Veteran's Round Up" was held at the Legion Hall on Washington Street. All veterans in Norwalk were asked to turnout en masse to greet Bill Miller, state commander of the American Legion and other veteran dignitaries. The local American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps assembled at Hour Square at 7:30 p.m. in full uniform and instruments. All veterans fell in behind the drum corps for a parade down Wall Street and West Avenue to..
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Christmas party and Old Timer's Night

Dec 17, 1937
The annual Christmas party for children was held with entertainment, gifts, and refreshments. One of the features of the year was "Old Timers' Night" when all veterans were invited and the quarters were filled to capacity. The affair was arranged by Past Commander Downs and entertainment was provided by Benjamin Hertz. During the year Commander McMurray and his membership committee succeeded in bringing the paid-up membership of the Post to 324. The work of Comrade..
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1940

Post welcomes first WWII veteran

Nov 25, 1943
Harry Foster Webb of 6 Crescent Terrace, a veteran of World War II, was inducted as a member of the American Legion at Post 12. Mr. Webb has the honor of being the first veteran of Wold War II to join the local Post. His application will be framed for posterity.
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