Albert J. Hanson

Darwin R. Brueland, Fred T. Barkley, Glenn A. Sapp, Frank P. Schuster, Frank P. Smith, Clayton J. Helms, Rick Tiechert, Gordon L. Madson, Henry Fiderlick, William F. Kruse, Richard G. Peterson and James J. Loughran

  Albert J. Hanson Post 592 got a temporary charter, January 25, 1922.  In 1925 due to the main street fires in Callender, Iowa, the permanent charter was burned and the Post had to apply for a duplicate charter.  In 1938, the Post bought a stove, coffee pot and 50 coffee cups for the town hall, and they were raffling off a blanket at every meeting.  They took on the sponsorship of the boy scouts. In 1939, also this was the year they led all towns of less than 500 people in the state of Iowa in membership drive.  For this accomplishment, they were awarded the Laird Trophy; the cup was presented to William Kruse, Post Commander at the morning session of the final day of the state convention in Sioux City.

 In 1940 the Post bought 4 dozen flags for the area cemeteries, and was able to buy rifles and material for its firing squad.  They also donated to the school board band uniform fund.  After Many years of waiting the Post was granted a permanent charter on May 6, 1940.

 In 1941,  American Legion Post 592 registered all ex-service men for defense purposes and sent $1.00 to each man in for 4 years training.  During the 2nd World War, Post 592 was busy with many projects here, and helping servicemen everywhere.  Following are several projects during that time.  On the home front, they bought 30 chairs for the town hall, library tables, and $25.00 toward remodeling.  For servicemen leaving for duty they were given books titled "Fall in".  May 1942, the Post began the first Memorial Day Service with Rev. Olson, Lutheran Pastor with Callender High School Band, at the Callender Park. Rev. Preul of the Methodist Church offered Prayer and the boy scouts decorated the graves.  A service board was put up in the lot by the water tower, with names of service men from within our Post area.  The Fort Dodge Post was collecting old radios for government use as spare parts.

 October of 1942, the official meeting night was changed to the 2nd Tuesday of every month.

 In 1943, the Post donated to the Gowrie News so papers could be sent to area service men, also sent hospitality cards and a booklet titled "At home" to our service men.  Local boys returning home gave talks on experiences.  For several years the Post was giving medals to the highest 8th grader in the county exams, both Callender and in Moorland school districts.

 In 1944, the Post held a county meeting which consisted of a supper and because of food rationing everybody that came had to bring meat stamps.  When the idea came up that veterans should have a tax exemption the members of Albert J, Hanson Post 592 voiced their approval and lobbied the State, which contributed to changes.  In 1945, the Post took steps to incorporate.

 In 1948, the Post and its Auxiliary sponsored several years of livestock shows.  In this particular year, Lois Mosel was elected Queen of the Live Stock Show, winning a prize of $50.00.  Automobiles were raffled at all there celebrations.  The Callender Community Club helped the Post with the livestock show in 1950, and it had grown too large for the town organizations to handle, and was discontinued in the 1950s.  Also during the 1950s, the Post donated to help buy a flag and flag pole for the "Little Cemetery".  Polio Fund and March of Dimes.  Post 592 sponsored Town and Country Quiz at the school, conducted by Clay Rusk, Quiz Master of W.H. O. radio in Des Moines, one hour of good entertainment.  The Post also bought 3 caution signs with the Legion emblem and Post no. on them for each road leading into town.  That year the Post started Memorial Day Services at Roland Township Lutheran, Elkhorn East, Elkhorn West, Fulton Township, Fulton Lutheran, Tripp, Danish, Graceland and Moorland Catholic Cemeteries.  The Post donated toward remodeling Town Hall and a new hot water heater too.

 1967 was a special year; 50 year pins were awarded to Henry Mosel, Virgil T. Paterson, Ernest Westerberg and George Hanson; 40 years pins to R. G. Peterson and Charles Wesley; 20 years pins to Bill Kruse and Russ Anderson, John Kruse, and 15 year pin to Robert Lane.

 The 1970s brought more donations, Mississippi Hurricane Disaster, Soldiers Home in Marshalltown, and Veterans Hospital, in Iowa City.

 In the mid 1970s our Post helped the town buy Christmas lights for the streets and bought stock in the retirement home in Callender.

 In 1983, a Callender Sailor was killed aboard an Aircraft Carrier USS RANGER.  Rick Teichert, Petty Officer 3rd Class, 25 years old, was killed by fire on the ship, and buried at the Callender cemetery with full military honors.

 IN 1985 the Post again purchased signs for the entrance roads to Callender.

 Post 592 had an Auxiliary Unit that was very active until disbanded.  From 1934-1944 the auxiliary set up surgical dressing units that met every Tuesday and Friday, folding over 44,000 bandages.  Red Cross pins were given to the Auxiliary members who volunteered over 100 hours.  Those honored were Ida Westerberg, Emma Johnson, Louis Mosel, Elsi Lowry and Mayme Kruse.  Several Members took part in a bond drive in which nearly four tons of paper was collected along with tin, fat, clothing, and fourteens pairs of shoes.  Two bonds were purchased.  Money was given to the Gowrie news to cover expenses of sending papers to the boys who were in the service.  In 1945 the meetings for the Auxiliary were moved to match the Legion to save gas and tires.  The Auxiliary raised funds by traditional methods and supported the Legion until disbanded.  The Auxiliary made many contributions to the Legion Post and people living in the Callender District.  

 In 1971, eighty crosses were made and painted by Bob Lane and Richard (Dick) Peterson to be used for Memorial Day.  Since then The Post Legion and Auxiliary has visited 10 different area cemeteries every year on Memorial Day.  The tradition started became a Cross and Flag at each veterans grave.

 Money making projects included poppy sales, bake sale, lunches, ice cream socials, rummage sales, coffee, etc. Dues today are $36.00 per year.  Through the years the Post has contributed to many worthy causes, such as Boys State, Leprosy Foundation, books for Callender Library, the USO, Gowrie News for postage for servicemen mail, cancer, Red Cross, Special Olympics, Polio Fund, Heart Fund, Library remodeling fund, treats for the county home, families of fire damaged homes, Boy Scouts, Webster Rural County School for Autistic, among many others.

 1980-2023 - The mission continued with Richard G. Peterson serving as the Post Commander, he at times, had only a few members that fought to keep Post tradition of a flag and white cross on each Veterans Grave every Memorial Day.  His contributions as the Commander of the Post is the only reason we still have a POST today.  Dick (Richard G. Peterson) will forever be remebered as the man who saved Post 592 and made its special mission a wonder for all to see each Memerial Day weekend.  Today, Post 592 continues this tradition each year with a "Legion of volunteers" that help our few members get the job done each Memorial Day weekend.....Post 592 team is remembering 250 veterans, those whom served in the Spanish American War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm War and the Global War on Terrorism are buried in 10 different cemeteries located in South West Webster County.  In honor of those who served, every Memorial Day American Legion Post 592 places a flag and a cross at each honored grave.  Our Cemeteries: Callender, Our Saviors Lutheran, Fulton Lutheran-Roland Township, Roland Township Lutheran, Fulton Township, Elkhorn Township, Graceland, Our Lady of Good Council, Danish and Mizpah cemeteries.

 God bless America!