Richard L. Cromartie

Our History: On July 25, 1996, a letter was mailed by Richard Cromartie to twenty five Veterans who belonged to the Key Biscayne Rotary Club. It stated that there was enthusiastic support to form an American Legion Post and Auxiliary on Key Biscayne. Seventeen of the twenty five Veterans concurred, and responded affirmatively.

On September 10, 1996, the first organizational meeting was held in the clipper room of the Commodore Club West Condominium on Ocean Lane Drive. A discussion was led by commander Nick Williams from American Legion Post 29 and by the American Legion Southern District/Area Commander Ed Miller. They outlined the procedure for forming an American Legion Post. Subsequently, Richard Cromartie was elected temporary Commander, and James Haney temporary Finance Officer. All fifteen Veterans present signed the application for a Temporary Charter. Those signing included Richard Cromartie, Max Goodman, Phil Akert, Carl Carter, Rocco Pace, George Albert, Jim Haney, Margaret Crystal, Tom Harvey, Mortimer Fried ESQ, Robert Kirkman MD, James Morgan, Dan Sabath, Julian Goldstein, William Stirrup. It was submitted to the American Legion, Department of Florida.

On October 3, 1996, the second organizational meeting was held at Key Colony Condominium. The Temporary Charter had been issued and received. A full slate of Officers were elected and are listed below on the date of the Induction Ceremony. On January 16, 1997, an induction Ceremony was held during a meeting at the "Linda 'B' Restaurant in the Galleria Shopping Center on Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne. Commander Nick Williams of American Legion Post 29 officiated. There were 21 Veterans present. The following elected officers were installed: Richard Cromartie - Commander, Michael King - Vice Commander, Henry Keel - Adjutant, David Fletcher - Treasurer, Rocco Pace - Service Officer, Rev. Robert Libby - Chaplain, Carl Carter -Sergeant- at-Arms, Mort Fried ESQ - Judge Advocate, Max Goodman - Historian.

From January 1997 to November 26, 1997, the Key Biscayne American Legion Post 374 grew to number 111 members.

OUR ONGOING VETERANS ACTIVITIES

Most of our veterans activities are centered around the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical center in Miami:

   - We, together with our auxiliary,sponsor two picnics annually at our local state park for hospital patients and their caregivers. We have been doing this for over 10 years & they have become so popular that we've had to limit attendance to 130 due to space limitations. Members of our fire department donate & serve soft drinks. This event is well covered by our local media.

   -Monthly bingo games are sponsored at the VA hospital with prize money & baked goodies provided by our auxiliary. Generally around 30 in-patients attend.

   -Several lunches are held at a local private beach club for 10-12 PTSD patients.

   -Our Sons chapter holds monthly veterans lunches at our local yacht club & a book drive for the hospital.

   -Baskets for troups are assembled by our auxiliary with postage paid by our post.

OUR ONGOING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES