Feb 28, 1920
Our first Commander was Charles C. Nefsky. The original charter application was missing the required charter fee, so was not honored by the Department of Nebraska as a valid application. A second effort was undertaken to raise the application fee among charter members for a second application. The delay in the process resulted in a higher Post designation than would have been available! Post 216 meetings were held in private homes of its members until..

Jan 30, 1926
The Leonard Conley Unit of the American Legion Auxiliary in Gretna was chartered in 1926. The charter was signed on January 30th by the National President and Secretary, followed by signatures from the Department of Nebraska President and Secretary on February 3rd. The unit was made up of 18 initial members.

Jun 6, 1935
Post 216 membership meetings were held in the Gretna Town Hall beginning in 1935 . Beginning in the 1970s, fund raising efforts were undertaken to purchase a building for Post 216, which finally took place in 1978. (Dates are approximate)

Jun 6, 1978
The current Post 216 location was purchased in 1978 for $78,000. It had previously served as a laboratory building, a window and door factory, and was later owned by the Educational Service Unit before being purchased by Post 216. (The purchase date is an estimate)

Jun 6, 1985
Our M60A3 Patton tank, RUST-N-PEACE, was obtained from the Nebraska Army National Guard. It was moved from the Army National Guard facility in Mead, Nebraska. (Dates are approximate)

May 29, 2017
The Avenue of Flags is a Memorial Day and 4th of July tradition co-sponsored by the Gretna American Legion Leonard Conley Post 216. Members of Legion Post 216, Legion Riders, Sons, Auxiliary, VFW Post 10725, and Gretna Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troops raise the flags at 0700 and retrieve them at 1700. This year, 223 flags, all sponsored by a family member of a loved one who perished while serving, or who has since..