History of American Legion Beckwith Post 110, Medfield, MA

Medfield has a Long History of Caring for its War Veterans
Following the end of the Civil War, Union veterans formed what became known as the Grand Army of the Republic, the “G.A.R.” They pledged to care for the veteran, help with those in need of a job, continue with the friendships formed during the war years and use the organization as a way to maintain the political beliefs they believed were best for the country they had fought for. The community level organization was called a "Post" and they elected Post Commanders. In Medfield, the G.A.R. Post was organized on January 10, 1870, with fifteen original members. It was called the Moses Ellis Post #117. In 1890 they bought the building that now houses Casabella Pizza, the Jewelry Store, the Medfield Barber Shop and Zullo Gallery and used it as their Post Headquarters. The building had two main halls, the first floor hall was used for banquets and dinners and the upper hall was used for their meetings. As time went on, the number of G.A.R. members still living declined greatly. The last G.A.R. member, Albert Woolson from Indiana, died in 1956 at the age of 109. Medfield's last G.A.R. member was Julius Fitts who died at the age of 100 on January 6, 1944 and was buried at Vine Lake Cemetery.

The Beginnings of the American Legion

In 1917 the United States went to war with Germany in what was called The Great War. The Armistice ending the war began on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day, the ending of “The Great War (WWI) and a time to honor our veterans of that war. Also in 1919 Woodrow Wilson the 28th president of the United States travels to Paris to create the League of Nations and shape the Treaty of Versailles. In France at that time is a group of twenty officers who served in the American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) in France during World War I. They are credited with the planning of an organization to be called the American Legion. While the G.A.R. membership was limited to Union veterans of the Civil War, The American Legion was founded to benefit those veterans who served during any wartime.

Rural Medfield 100 Years Ago
During this time nearly 100 years ago Medfield had just purchased its first motorized fire apparatus, automobiles not quite yet common had been on the road for just a decade. Telephones existed however the telephone operators were on strike and Medfield’s telephone exchange was closed. Without operators, you simply could not call anyone else, as operators made the connection was well as made the phones ring. Alton H. Hartford was principle of the high school and prohibition had been established by the 18th amendment of the constitution having been adopted by 36 of the 48 states. Babe Ruth was still playing baseball for the Boston Red Sox although this was his last year before joining the Yankees. The nation as a whole had just been released from the horrors of World War I and American Legion Post 110 began its long and rich history with the Town of Medfield.

Beckwith Post 110 Formed
Here in Medfield, led by WWI Army veteran William J. Kelly, the first American Legion Post was formed in 1919 and Kelly became the Post’s first Commander. Meetings were held in Town Hall with the Post being nameless for several years. On February 15, 1923 the Medfield Post was officially established as “Beckwith Post 110.” It was named after the two Beckwith boys, Weslie and William both of whom lost their lives during WWI.

William is recorded as the first Medfield resident to die while enlisted in the armed forces during the war. His death came not long before Armistice Day while serving in the Army at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He died on March 8, 1918 of acute nephritis, which is an inflammation of the kidneys. He was just 18 ½ years old.

Exactly five months later Weslie died on October 6, 1918. He drowned in a ship accident off the coast of the United Kingdom. He was aboard the British transport vessel Ontario when that ship collided with the Kashmir in the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland. Weslie served with the Coast Artillery and was just 17 years old.

With full honors, both bodies were returned to Medfield and in 1920 funeral services were held for both at St. Edwards Church. Then the church was located across from town hall where the current library now stands. In separate ceremonies military escorts led their remains through town. Their bodies were carried by horse drawn carriage to their final resting place at Vine Lake Cemetery. Flags were lowered to half-staff and three volleys of shots were fired. Father U. M. Smith gave the ceremony and the Cliquot Band offered taps.

The American Legion Has a Rich History in the Town of Medfield
The Legion met and held functions in the upstairs rooms of the Town Hall from 1919 to 1953. George Chenery, a wealthy owner of the former New England Straw Works Company on Spring Street gave the $23,000.00 needed to build the Town Hall. The grand upstairs room became known as Chenery Hall in his honor. The hall was used by the Legion for many events including a military concert on Armistice Day in 1921. Town Hall again was ravaged by fire on January 17th, 1923. The Post did conduct its meetings in temporary locations until the Town Hall was rebuilt later that same year.

One of the more interesting stories from the Post’s early days occurred during Field Day activities in 1921. The festival was held at the field where Metacomet Park now stands. Included in the day’s activities was a bi-plane air show. One of the pilots lost control of his plane and crashed into the chimney of Alfred Wardon’s house at 78 Spring Street.

Beckwith Post 110 also had a long-standing relationship with the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.). G.A.R. Moses Ellis Post 117 was comprised of Civil War veterans. They met in the town Grange Hall which once stood on Pleasant Street where the “M” hedge at Medfield Gardens now grows. The two organizations often teamed up to sponsor Memorial Day events.

By the 1950’s membership in the Grange had waned and the group put their hall up for sale. The Post 110 decided to purchase Grange Hall. In January 1954 Grange Hall became the new home of Beckwith Post 110.

From 1954 to 1969 the Legions regular meetings were held at Grange Hall. The three-story structure was host to numerous events including costume parties and fundraisers. Some members remember a time during one party when the crowd while dancing the Bunny Hop had synchronized their moves so much that the entire building was actually swaying with the dancers.

In 1958 the American Legion Auxiliary Beckwith Post 110 was formed. The Ladies Auxiliary consists of the Mothers, wives, daughters and female descendants of eligible American Legion veterans.

Sadly in December of 1969 the Grange Hall burned to the ground. Fire officials listed the cause as suspicious which destroyed all the Post’s records and valuable memorabilia. Several Civil War Era firearms were lost in the fire. Without a home, the Legion conducted their meetings at the former Colonial Inn. This fine restaurant was located where Donut Express now stands and was owned by Legion member Bob McCarthy’s family.

Without a meeting place, the Legion moved forward to enter its third and current building with the grand opening of the present building in September 1970. Members purchased the 2.5 acre plot of land on what was then Grove Street and designed a new facility to include a large function hall, kitchen, members lounge, commander’s office, conference room and storage space.

Current Home of Beckwith Post 110
In 1974 route 27 was relocated to what is now North Meadows Road replacing North street as the main road into town from Sherborn.. The new road bisected Grove Street and gave the Legion the opportunity to rename their roadway. In 1976 the post received permission from the town to create Peter Kristof Way.

On Memorial Day 1976, Al Manganello Jr. read the dedication to honor Peter Kristof. Peter Kristof, a Medfield native, was killed in action during the Vietnam War. He was just 18 years old when he died as a Private First Class in the U.S. Marine Corps.

In 1996 the Sons’ of the American Legion Beckwith Post 110 was formed. This male organization is comprised of male descendants of veterans who were qualified to join the American Legion. Together, members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion make up what is known as The Legion Family. All three organizations place high importance on preserving our American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation's children, caring for veterans and their families, and perhaps most importantly, teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.

The American Legion is a congressionally chartered mutual-aid veterans organization of the United States armed forces founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by the United States Congress.

Today after more than ninety years, Beckwith Post 110 consists of nearly 185 members and remains active in supporting programs in Medfield and surrounding communities. Post 110 is currently under the steady hand of Commander Ron Griffin and Steward Al Manganello, who has over seen the building’s operations for the past 40 years. Familiar town names ring out from the plaques mounted on the Legion’s “Distinguish Honor Wall” John Ross, Fred Vasaturo, Al Cruickshank, Paul Curran, Jim Tubridy, Clayton Haigh, George Nourse, John Connors, Donald Mailing, Gerry Doucette, Lee DeSorgher, Mel Mills, Lindsey Ripley, Jerry Underwood, Tom Copithorne and Ed Callow.

Since 1919 the Legion and its members have played an important part in the life of the Town of Medfield. Their community support remains impressive with support for the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies and the feeding of lunch to all parade marchers, Veterans’ Day Ceremonies in Baxter Park, the Christmas Party for Medfield’s Senior Citizens, Christmas with Santa for Medfield youth, sponsorship of Medfield High School juniors to attend Boys’ and Girls’ State, the Toys for Tots program, high school scholarships, the Medfield Fishing Derby, sponsorship of Legion baseball and softball teams, monetary donations and support to other town organizations and sponsorship of Boy Scout Troop 89.

Combined with the efforts from the Ladies American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion, Beckwith Post 110 continues as a significant contributor in the community as well as providing support to Veterans.

END

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