Post 97 Libby, Montana

Post 97

Libby, Montana

Post 97 Libby, Montana

About This Post

Post Namesake

Austin F. Reedy;  22 years old.  His parents were Mr and Mrs John Reedy, Libby.  Austin entered the Army from Libby in October 1917.  He served in Company H, 163rd Infantry, 41st Division and Company H, 127th Infantry 32nd Division.  He served at Alsace-Loraine and Chateau-Thierry, France.  He was killed in action at Chateau-Thierry on July 31st, 1918, by a bullet from an enemy airplane machine gun, which struck him in the neck and caused almost instant death.  He was buried in France.  He had spent nearly his entire life in Libby, and was one of the town's most liked and highest esteemed young men.  He was the first Libby boy to give his life in the service of his country.  He was survived by five sisters and three brothers.  His body was returned from France almost four years after his death.  His body arrived in New York on July 3rd, 1922.  The body of Austin Reedy arrived from Portland under military escourt on Saturday, July 15.  The funeral took place at the Catholic church on Monday and all businesses in the town were closed for that day.  Austin Reedy Post Number 97, of the American Legion provided the military honors and grave-side services.

Notable Members

Robert Petrusha; Department Commander, 1974 -1975     Department Vice-Commander, 1973 -1974

Larry Stroklund;  Western Zone Command, (Districts 4,5,6) 2015 -2017    National Appointment to Force Structure Committee,  2013 - 2017    Department Executive Chairman,  1999 -2001    District 4 Commander,  1996 -1999    Department White Cross Chairman,  1996 - 2001     Department Recruiter of the Year,  1974    Post Adjutant/Finance Officer,  1988 - 2008     Member of Post Honor Guard,  1988 - 2014

Lee Gehring;  Department Exeecutive Chairman,  (Districts 4,5,6) 1988 - 1989    District 4 Commander, 1985 -1987     Department Class A Baseball Chairman,  1975 - 1976     Department White Cross Chairman,  1989 - 1993     Member of Original Post Honor Guard

Don Auger;  District 4 Commander, 1983 - 1984   Post Commander for 25 years,  Member of Original Post Honor Guard.

What Makes this Post Unique

Historically the American Legion, Dept. of Montana, Post 97 in Libby, Mt. has been an important Service Organization for the Veterans and the Community. It began with the fund raising and erection of a WW1 memorial statue. Since then it has been the rallying point in the community. It began as the starting point for veterans and community members to assemble and march to the cemetery for Decoration/Memorial Day ceremonies. Since then it has been the starting point for all parades in Libby. Some of the past and present unique functions of the Post are: Early organization of Fourth of July celebrations, Ceremonial Honor Guard leading all parades in Libby, posting of flags at special events, performing graveside services at funerals and performing the firing squad and TAPS ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veterans Day remembrances. The Post has been the proud Chartering Organization for the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts for 60 years. The Post has also helped sponsor the American Legion Baseball Team and a member was instrumental in the establishment of the American Legion Baseball Field. The Post initiated children's downhill ski racing on local Turner Ski Hill. The Post participated in Operation Christmas Tree, delivering 2000 Christmas Trees to service members in Viet Nam in the early 1970's. The Post participates in the State Highway Beautification Program on US Hwy 2. The Post membership erects and maintains the White Marker Program in south Lincoln County. The Post in cooperation with the DAV supplies drivers and a van to transport veterans to the VA hospital in Spokane, Wa. The van services 10 communities on a 320 mile round trip. The van makes two trips/week, 2560 miles/month and 106 volunteer hours/month. The Post and it's members do numerous benefits for locals in need and to benefit other veteran groups and issues. These benefits are primarily spearheaded by the Women's Auxiliary. "Don't Know What We Would Do Without The Ladies."

HISTORY

1910

Austin Reedy Uniform Picture

Oct 18, 1917
This is an early photo of Austin Reedy in uniform.
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Austin Reedy Uniform Picture
Austin Reedy Obituary

Austin Reedy Obituary

Jul 31, 1918
Austin Reedy was the first service member killed in battle from Lincoln County Montana in WW1. He was from Libby, Montana and is the namesake of American Legion Post 97.
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1920

Post 97, Libby, Montana, Charter

Oct 25, 1920

 Traditionally from 1920, the WW1 veterans organized, ran and policed the July 4th Celebrations in Libby, Montana.


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Post 97, Libby, Montana, Charter
Original Membership

Original Membership

Oct 25, 1920

The original membership was actually meeting in 1919. They met at an old church on the corner of Montana Ave and Lincoln Boulevard.


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Actual Original Charter

Jun 10, 1921

We have many versions of the original Charter.  The group that Originally formed as the American Legion, became organized October 25, 1920.  They then became Chartered on June 10, 1921.


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Actual Original Charter
Article about Lincoln County WWI Deaths.

Article about Lincoln County WWI Deaths.

May 25, 1922

The attached is a reprint of an original article, the reprint is from May 25, 1967.


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Base of WW1 Memorial

May 30, 1922

This is the base of the WW1 Memorial on Lincoln Boulevard in Libby, Mt. The engraved names are active duty veterans from Lincoln County Montana, who died while on active military duty.  Buried in the base of the Statue is a metal (presumed lead) box with memorabilia of the era.


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Base of WW1 Memorial
WW1 Memorial Statue

WW1 Memorial Statue

May 30, 1922
Memorial Statue to honor WW1 deaths of veterans on active duty from Lincoln County Montana.
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Post 97 First Meeting Place

Dec 5, 1922
The photo is the present day look of the first meeting place. The structure is imaginable as the First Presbyterian Church of Libby as it was in 1922.
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Post 97 First Meeting Place
Memorial Statue Obituaries

Memorial Statue Obituaries

May 23, 1923

The Memorial Statue on Lincoln Boulevard in Libby, Montana honors five soldiers from WWI, the statue was "Lady Remembrance" produced by Spokane Monument Works of Spokane, Washington.  These are the five soldiers obituaries.


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Memorial Statue Obituaries

May 23, 1923

Memorial Statue Obituary of Statue Honoree.


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Memorial Statue Obituaries
Memorial Statue Obituaries

Memorial Statue Obituaries

May 23, 1923

Memorial Statue Honoree


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Memorial Statue Obituaries

May 23, 1923

Memorial Statue Honoree


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Memorial Statue Obituaries
Memorial Statue Obituaries

Memorial Statue Obituaries

May 23, 1923

Memorial Statue Honoree


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1950

Post 97 Purchases Present Day Club

Mar 9, 1953
In March of 1953, The American Legion Post 97 purchased the First Bank of Libby building. I have also put in an old picture of original building from 1918.
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Post 97 Purchases Present Day Club
Picture of Bank that turned into Club

Picture of Bank that turned into Club

Mar 9, 1953
This is a 1918 picture of First Bank of Libby that turned into the Post 97 Club.
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Montana Americal Legion begins Highway Fatality Marker White Cross Program

Jul 18, 1953

They are numerous enough to notice.  Infrequent enough to startle at seeing.  They stimulate reverence, sorrow, sympathy, curiosity, and caution.  They effect us all to one degree or another.  They are the white crosses that mark the sites of fatal traffic accidents along the highways of Montana.  For 75 years, these white crosses have reminded passing motorists of the dangers of the road, as well as the lives, which have been lost on the highways.

The..

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Original Honor Squad

Original Honor Squad

Apr 12, 1956

The original Honor Squad was established in 1956 or 1957 .


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1960

Legion Baseball Field

May 12, 1960
Post 97 Legion Member spearheaded the need for Little League Baseball and American Legion Baseball in Libby. The effort started in the late 1950's and the Legion Field was updated in the late 1980's.
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Legion Baseball Field
Legion Baseball Field

Legion Baseball Field

May 12, 1960
View of the present field.
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