THE HISTORY OF POST 24
Kirby Stewart POST 24 was chartered on June 5th, 1919 with fifteen members. They endured plenty of growing pains simply to keep moving forward.
1920 saw several more VETERANS join along with a new Commander and progress began as a reality for POST 24. Located at 1209 6th Ave. West, in the downtown center of Bradenton, POST 24 was at the center of the action.
POST 24 membership was instrumental in contributing to the many improvements throughout the city of Bradenton and Manatee County. They helped to pay for lights on the 'Green Bridge' that connects downtown to the town of Palmetto. The VETERANS are credited with assisting in constructing the first aircraft landing strip in Manatee County.
During the depression years, POST 24 VETERANS and other volunteers within the POST helped to feed thousands of children insuring they would not go hungry. I guess POST 24 had their own 'USUAL SUSPECTS' back then.
After WWII, POST 24 helped many homeless VETERANS by allowing them to come in and spend the night in hopes of getting a good night's sleep. An American Legion POST is like a beacon in the night to a VETERAN. POST 24 and its membership is no different. Not then, not now.
Bradenton was growing and so was POST 24. As a result, it was decided to purchase property and move out to 2000 75th Street West. Membership continued expanding to where now POST 24 has nearly the largest number of members in the state of Florida.
Times change, as they do, and needs change, as they do, to keep pace. Each change of command desires to leave its mark. They are credited with some of the success and blamed for all of the failures during their tenure. They are never more popular than the day they are sworn in. A year later, most only hear the door slam as they exit. In between those two dates they are expected to right all the wrongs in and around the POST while dodging the rocks being thrown by those on the sidelines. Each one wrapped with an opinion, but no signature.
Volunteers are the catalyst of any nonprofit organization, and POST 24 is no exception. The 'USUAL SUSPECTS', for whom I am referring, are the ones who are always on hand when something is going on. They step to the front to offer their support. They arrive early and stay late to insure that the objective is achieved. At the end of the day, these are the individuals who turn out the lights. And, they are the ones who enable POST 24 to keep the lights on.
