FORWARD
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic
veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation's largest veterans
service organization, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in our
communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and
continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.
Consisting of over two million members and some 14,000 community posts, The
American Legion is truly a grassroots organization, guided by resolutions that spring
from local Legionnaires and are advanced to the state and national levels. From there,
American Legion resolutions help shape U.S. policy on many fronts, including veterans
health care, national security, foreign affairs and the economy as well as helping veterans
and veteran's families on the local level.
Catron-Kelly Post 53, Oak Grove, LA strive to maintain the ideas and principles of the
American Legion.
Catron-Kelly Post 53 was named in honor of Alonzo Catron and Dr. John Luther Kelly.
Dr. John Luther Kelly M.D. was born in Winn Parish, Louisiana. He was a prominent
doctor in Oak Grove. He died and is buried in Oak Grove, LA.
Both of these men were WW I veterans.
I'm not sure when Catron-Kelly Post 53 was originally organized, however on October
16, 1946, Articles of Incorporation was filed with the clerk of court in the parish of West
Carroll, state of Louisiana.
The meeting place for Post 53 has always been at the Oak Grove Community House
located in the town park. There must have been some controversy concerning this. A
document was filed with the clerk of courts office (date unknown) clarifying the fact that
the local American Legion post did not own the building. Post 53 like other
organizations in West Carroll Parish and Oak Grove were permitted to use this facility.
This scrapbook is dedicated to all members of Catron-Kelly Post 53 both alive and dead .
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CHAPTER 1
The Local Post
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political
influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvements in the legislation process.
Legionnaires' sense of obligation to their community, state and nation drives an honest
advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands not behind politics, but the
issues and people that institute progress by focusing on veteran's rights and quality of
life.
The American Legion's success depends entirely on active membership, participation and
volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in
which it thrives.
The local post is a part of the overall picture of the American Legion. Local Posts make
up the District and Districts make up the Department.
The Department of Louisiana is comprised of eight Districts. Catron-Kelly Post 53,
located in Oak Grove, Louisiana and is part of District 5.
Organized in the early 1920's, the post was named after Alonzo Catron and Dr. John
Luther Kelly. Not much history is known at this time about these gentlemen. However,
what we do know is that both veterans were from West Carroll Parish and both severed
honorably during WW I .
We do know that Dr. John Luther Kelly, after serving during WW I, became a medical
doctor and had a medical practice in Oak Grove, Louisiana, He would later die in a car
accident.
Then and even now, Catron-Kelly Post 53 has held their monthly meetings at the Oak
Grove Community House, located at 414 James Street in Oak Grove, Louisiana.
An old rustic log building, quite fitting for veterans to hold their monthly meetings and
conduct business pertaining to the post, was built in late 1919 and is located in the quaint
town park nestled among many oak trees.
Many meetings have been held in this: stately building. The footsteps of many veterans
from West Carroll Parish who servedournation so proudly have entered the doors of this
old building. The gavel has pounded many times tobring the membership to order and
present the colors of our nation. When you enter the meeting hall, in the quietness of the
day, one might still hear the echoes of veterans from WW I up until present date as they
so proudly stand at attention, salute and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ownership of this building must have been an issue at one time. A document filed at the
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clerk of court's office in Oak Grove by Commander William Pollard and Adjutant L. L.
James clarified that the Local American Legion Post did not own the building, simply
was granted use of it for their monthly meetings. The date of this document is unknown
but must have been between 1930-1940.
On October 16, 1946, members of Catron-Kelly Post 53 filed Articles of Incorporation
with the clerk of court in West Carroll Parish, Oak Grove, LA. These documents outlined
the name of the post, the objective and purpose of the post and the domicile of such
organization. It outlined the offices and duties of those holding such positions as well as
the term length of each position filled.
In the early years of organization, after the great wars of WW L WW II, there were many
members attending the meetings at Post 53. Like most American Legion Posts
throughout our nation, death and lack of interest took a toll on the local post.
Membership was at an all time low for Post 53 during the 1990's. Together, Commander
Charles E. Cox and Adjutant J. S. Berry kept the post at a sustaining number in order to
maintain an active post.
I became a member of Catron-Kelly Post 53 in 1993. At that time Charles E. Cox was
the Commander. I also was employed by him. During that time, there were just enough
members to sustain an active post. From 1993 until 2008 there was no active meetings.
Upon the death of Commander Cox in 2004, I was appointed commander of the post. I
severed in that capacity for approximately three and a half years.
It became clear to me that new members needed to be added to the post. A membership
drive was started and new members were added. From 2005 until present date, Catron-
Kelly Post 53 have attained 100+% membership. We rose from 15 members in 2004 to
over 90 members in 2011.
Since 2004 the Commanders for Post 53 has been Jerry D. Putman, Gary Haas and
present commander Jimmie French.
Catron-Kelly Post 53 is a thriving post involving itself in many activities throughout the
community and legion affairs
Author: Jerry Putman, Past Commander.
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