Carson City Gazette, Carson City, Michigan, September 26, 1919, Number 39
Post Organized of American Legion
Name for Douglas McCloskey, Killed in the Chateau-Thierry Drive
The organization of a Post of the American Legion in Carson City was completed at the high school auditorium last week Wednesday evening. There were thirty of the World war boys in attendance and the all were much interested in the organization of a local post and in the splendid aims and objects of the Legion.
It was unanimously wished that the name of Douglas McCloskey be given to the local post in honor of the memory of the only young man from this vicinity who gave his life on the field of battle in France for the cause of world freedom. McCloskey died from being hit by a shell August 1, 1918, Chateau-Thierry drive. A temporary charter has been received from the state headquarters and No. 130 assigned to the local post.
The election of officers resulted as follows:
Post Commander - Elmer S. Siple
Vice-Commander-Stanley Horn
Adjutant-Victor P. Geller
Finance Officer - Don R. Smith
Historian - Hubert I Bond
Chaplain - Forrest C. Burchfield
It was announced that the G.A.R. members had voted to present the G.A.R. hall to the American Legion Post. This information was received with much pleasure by the Legion boys, and to show their hearty appreciation of this gift extended a rising vote of thanks to the G.A.R. concluding with three rousing "rahs." It was also voted to make the remaining G.A.R. veterans honorary members of this McCloskey Post of the American Legion and extend to them all the privileges of the organization. This is probably the first Legion post in the state to take this action in honoring the boys of 1851-65.
The members of the local post have taken up the organization of the Legion with earnestness and much enthusiasm. Every member is to canvas for members and it is expected that all who are eligible wlil become members. This includes not only those residing in Carson City and vicinity but all within a radius of ten miles or more. Already ex-service men at Hubbardston, Crystal, Perrinton and other adjoing communities have expressed themselves as wishing to enroll with the local post.
It was decided to have the next meeting of McCloskey post Wednesday evening, Oct. 1, and to hold regular meetings on the first Wednesday of each month.
It was a part of the program of the first meeting to secure the military history of the boys from Bloomer township which is being compiled for permanent record in the Montcalm county and State of Michigan files.
Victory buttons were issued to those present with their discharges and were gien to the following:
Silver - Stanley Horn, Jesse Harlow, and John Loucks.
Bronze - James P. Adams, Victor P. Geller, George B. Walt, Chris Nickert, Lawrence K. Smith, Basil Shillinger, Elmer S. Siple, Walter Horn, Dennis O'Connell, Nick Grace, William Kolecher, Ford Townsend, Garns Webster, William Hill, Mason Williams, John McCuaig, Hubert Bond, John Ranger, Forrest Burchfield and Clayton Ralph.
