Charles E. Murray Charles E. Murray was a WWII veteran and served in the Army Air Corp as a Flight Engineer on a B17. When I transferred into Post 186 in 2002, Charlie Murray was introduced to me as “Mr. American Legion”. I quickly came to understand that this was to a most apt and fitting title for this gentleman. Charlie fully understood what membership in the American Legion stood for. And, he lived it through his long and unselfish service to the Post and his example to the membership. Charlie joined the Post in its formative years when there were literally just a handful of members, and was unquestionably the leading advocate behind the move to purchase and renovate our present building. The Post had four temporary homes prior to the dedication of its current home in 1997. During his long tenure at the Post, Charlie and wife Gloria were an inseparable team who were always active. Charlie served in almost every elected office at the Post, including Chaplain, and three consecutive terms as the Commander from 1995 to 1998. He was also a member of the Color Guard Unit for several years. Charles’ manner was soft-spoken, but no-nonsense at the same time, when it came to taking care of business and following proper procedures with regard to protocol and dress. Before his retirement and relocation to Florida, Charlie had been a machinist in the Detroit area of Michigan. An avid sports fan, he passed away in 2010 at 87 years, from a fall he suffered outside the home that he and Gloria shared in Weekie Wachee, Florida. The Post was rechartered in his name the year after his death.

Post 186 Legionnaires, Auxiliary members, S.A.L. and ALR all work together actively to foster the ideals of the American Legion and to be of significant service to the community.