Post 19 Jennings, Louisiana
Post 19
Jennings, Louisiana
About This Post
Post Namesake
Captain James Oliphant Hall, United States Army, who died during service to his country in World War I (see timeline article dated May 29, 2016)
Notable Members
The Department-level M. C. “Mike” Gehr Blue Cap Award winners: 1999 - Darrell Landry; 2002 - Allen J. Medus, Jr.; 2012 - Samuel P. Doucet; 2015 - John W. Louviere, Jr.; 2017 - Glenn McFarlain; 2022 - James W. "Jimmy" Richert, Jr. This prestigious award is presented to the Outstanding Legionnaire in the state of Louisiana among Legion members who have never held elective office above the Post level.
What Makes this Post Unique
The Jennings American Legion Hospital (JALH) operated as an independent entity from 1952 to 2022. On April 1, 2022, JALH merged with Ochsner Health to become Ochsner American Legion Hospital. The Post still owns the facilities, but Ochsner Health is in charge of the day-to-day operations. This arrangement ensures hospital support to the Jennings community and surrounding area for generations to come (see timeline article dated Aoril 5, 1952). Post 19 has had, since 2004, an Honor Guard which provides military honors at the funerals of veterans whose services take place in Jefferson Davis Parish in Louisiana (see timeline article dated August 11, 2004).
Photos
Article, March 2000 Edition, The American Legion Magazine
Article, February 2017 Edition, The American Legion Magazine
Charter for James O. Hall Post 19, Department of Louisiana
Application for Post of American Legion-James O. Hall Post 19
American Legion High School Awards Program
Past Commanders List
Headstone for James O. Hall
HISTORY
1910
Ward Davis Served During World War I
Aug 5, 1919
Ward Arthur Davis, one of the founding members of James O. Hall Post 19 of the American Legion-Department of Louisiana, was born on December 17, 1901 in Jennings, LA. He enlisted in the U. S. Army on June 15, 1918 and reported for duty at Jackson Barracks, Louisiana. He deployed for service in France on September 17, 1918. He served in the..
The Founding of James O. Hall Post 19
Sep 24, 1919
On September 24, 1919, 42 World War I veterans from Jefferson Davis Parish in Louisiana signed the Application for Post of American Legion. They were: Leon Alcock, Viron L. Barnhill, A. J. Bertrand, Otto Bollich, Eli G. Breaux, F. N. Cart, Howard B. Cary, Louis E. Cole, Ward A. Davis, Willard Demmon, Edward Fallect, Robert Frey, Marius Fuselier, John D. Hathorn, Israel L. Hebert, Clebert Hollier, Frederich A. Koll, Henry H, Koll, Peter W. Koll,..
1920
Post 19 Membership Awards
Dec 6, 1927
James O. Hall Post 19 of the American Legion, Department of Louisiana received a certificate for reaching 100% of its membership goal for 1927. Following this exemplary year, Post 19 has continued to take membership and recruitment seriously. The Post has Certificates of Achievement for reaching membership goals during the following additional calendar years: 1928, 1930, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1949, 1957, 1958 and 1959. We also have either plaques or certificates signifying reaching or exceeding..
1930
First Post 19 Commander Passes
Dec 28, 1932
Roy Smith Miller was one of the founding members of James O. Hall Post 19 of the American Legion, Department of Louisiana. He was also the first Commander of Post 19.
Roy was born on February 6, 1894 and he died on December 28, 1932. He is buried at Greenwood Cemetary in Jennings, LA. He..
1940
Post 19 Receives Certificate for Support Rendered During Louisiana Maneuvers
Sep 2, 1941
During the summer of 1941 Post 19 received a Certificate of Appreciation from Company E, 57th Quartermaster Regiment for the support the Post provided to Company E during the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1941.
During the summer of 1941 Post 19 received a Certificate of Appreciation from Company E, 57th Quartermaster Regiment for the support the Post provided to Company E during the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1941.
MSG Daly Williams Writes of Visit to Historic Moscow
Oct 5, 1944
Daly Williams was born in Opelousas, LA on September 26, 1916 and died in Jennings, LA on July 29, 2004. Aside from his military service, he spent most of his life in Jennings, LA. He graduated from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in Lafayette, LA. He was nearly finished with his tour of duty in the..
Ward Davis Served During World War II
Dec 11, 1945
Ward Arthur Davis, one of the founding members of James O. Hall Post 19 of the American Legion-Department of Louisiana, was born on December 17, 1901 in Jennings, LA. He is a veteran of World War I (see timeline article dated August 5, 1919). Even though Ward had previously served in the armed forces of the United States during war, he volunteered to..
American Legion Baseball in Jennings
May 7, 1948
Jennings resident Dale Hotard recalls that the first season of American Legion baseball in Jennings started on, or about, May 7, 1948. He was a member of that first team. Dale played American Legion baseball for two years, and served as the team’s player-coach for the first year. It was tough going at first, with few resources. Many times they had to work hard to get rides to the away games. After Dale’s playing days..
Jennings resident Dale Hotard recalls that the first season of American Legion baseball in Jennings started on, or about, May 7, 1948. He was a member of that first team. Dale played American Legion baseball for two years, and served as the team’s player-coach for the first year. It was tough going at first, with few resources. Many times they had to work hard to get rides to the away games. After Dale’s playing days..
1950
History of Jennings American Legion Hospital
Apr 5, 1952
Allen J. Medus, Jr. is a 70-year member of the American Legion, spending most of that time as a member of Post 19. In the 2016 photo which is part of this article, Allen is standing in front of the Jennings American Legion Hospital campus. He was involved with the Jennings American Legion Hospital Board of Directors for 64 years and served as Secretary of the Board for over 43 years. He retired from the..
1960
Post 19 Commended for Support Provided During Hurricane Betsy
Jul 24, 1966
On July 24, 1966 the Post received a Special Distinguished Service Certificate from the Louisiana Disaster Relief Fund for support rendered in the aftermath of Hurricane Betsy.
On July 24, 1966 the Post received a Special Distinguished Service Certificate from the Louisiana Disaster Relief Fund for support rendered in the aftermath of Hurricane Betsy.
1970
American Legion High School Awards Program
May 16, 1977
Post 19 has, for many years, sponsored the American Legion School Awards Program at area high schools during those schools’ graduation ceremonies. Post 19 Legionnaire Glenn Doherty chaired this esteemed young adult recognition program from 1977 to 2003, and he made sure the awards were presented starting on May 16, 1977. Normally one boy and one girl preparing to graduate from Jennings and Hathaway High Schools are selected by their peers to receive the prestigious..
1980
American Legion Post 19 Meeting Hall
Oct 6, 1981
On October 6, 1981 our post membership moved into a new meeting hall, which still serves as the Legion Post’s home today. A photo of the Post hall is on display with this article.
When the Post commenced activities in 1919, the members initially met at the meeting venue of Knights of Columbus Council 2012 from Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Jennings. The venue was located on the 2nd floor of the Roberts Building,..
1990
Diamond Jubilee Certificate of Recognition
Mar 15, 1994
On March 15, 1994 the Post received a Diamond Jubilee Certificate of Recognition from the National Headquarters of the American Legion in honor of 75 years of continuous service operating as an American Legion Post.
On March 15, 1994 the Post received a Diamond Jubilee Certificate of Recognition from the National Headquarters of the American Legion in honor of 75 years of continuous service operating as an American Legion Post.
Certificate of Appreciation-Alexandria VA Medical Center
Mar 14, 1999
On March 14, 1999 the Post received a Certificate of Appreciation from Alexandria, Louisiana Veterans Administration Medical Center in recognition of the Post’s tremendous support of Veterans under care at the Medical Center.
On March 14, 1999 the Post received a Certificate of Appreciation from Alexandria, Louisiana Veterans Administration Medical Center in recognition of the Post’s tremendous support of Veterans under care at the Medical Center.
2000
Unit 19, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary
Jan 11, 2003
Unit 19 of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Department of Louisiana, from Jennings received their charter on January 11, 2003. The founding members of the unit were: Margie R. Morrish, President; Deborah Fern Hebert, Secretary; Mary L. Redlich, Treasurer; and Dorothy G. Hicks, Desiree H. Dupuis, Lois G. Benoit, Ella Mae Richard, Jean W. Alcock, Marguerite J. Legros, Darci L. Landry and Rosaline B. Ryan.
The Unit conducts an ice cream social every month at the..
Certificate of Appreciation for Support of Korean War Veterans
Aug 5, 2003
On August 5, 2003 the Post received a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Secretary of Defense in recognition of the Post’s support of activities honoring the Veterans of the Korean War.
On August 5, 2003 the Post received a Certificate of Appreciation from the United States Secretary of Defense in recognition of the Post’s support of activities honoring the Veterans of the Korean War.
Educator of the Year
Jul 6, 2004
Over the years Post 19 has recognized and nominated area teachers for the American Legion Educator of the Year Awards at the 7th District and Department-level. On June 5, 2004, Cindy Cart from Hathaway High School won the American Legion Department of Louisiana Educator of the Year Award. She is the only Post 19 nominee ever to win this outstanding state-level award. The photo shows past Post Commander and Chairman of the Post Education &..
Over the years Post 19 has recognized and nominated area teachers for the American Legion Educator of the Year Awards at the 7th District and Department-level. On June 5, 2004, Cindy Cart from Hathaway High School won the American Legion Department of Louisiana Educator of the Year Award. She is the only Post 19 nominee ever to win this outstanding state-level award. The photo shows past Post Commander and Chairman of the Post Education &..
American Legion Post 19 Honor Guard
Aug 11, 2004
In 2004 past Post Commander Sam Doucet organized a group of volunteers from the post to form an Honor Guard in order to render military honors to deceased veterans from Jefferson Davis Parish. The first military honors rendered by the Honor Guard were for Louis Crader on August 11, 2004. Religious services were conducted at Matthews & Son Funeral Home in Jennings, with burial honors performed at Istre Cemetery in Mermentau.
Since its inception, the Honor..
Certificate of Appreciation-Louisiana National Guard Unit
Aug 2, 2005
In 2005 the Post received a Certificate of Appreciation from the 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry of the Louisiana Army National Guard in recognition of the Post’s support of the Battalion during the Battalion’s deployments.
In 2005 the Post received a Certificate of Appreciation from the 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry of the Louisiana Army National Guard in recognition of the Post’s support of the Battalion during the Battalion’s deployments.
Certificate of Appreciation for Post’s Honor Guard
Sep 6, 2005
Also in 2005 the American Legion Post 19 Honor Guard received a Certificate of Appreciation from the National Headquarters of the American Legion in order to acknowledge the Honor Guard’s great works in providing military honors at the funerals of military veterans.
Also in 2005 the American Legion Post 19 Honor Guard received a Certificate of Appreciation from the National Headquarters of the American Legion in order to acknowledge the Honor Guard’s great works in providing military honors at the funerals of military veterans.
