History of Post 223

As World War I was drawing to a close, the men and officers of the American Expeditionary Force in France felt that they would like to have a way of maintaining the bonds and friendships that they had made during the Great War. They had worked together and supported one another in the battles of the Argonne Forest, Ypres, and the Marne. They were searching for a way to continue this fellowship when the returned to civilian life. They wanted to be able to help one another and to remember those who would not be coming home.

It was this desire and motivation that resulted in the formation of the American Legion by a group of 20 officers who had served in the American Expeditionary Force in France. One of these officers was Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. In February 1919 This convention adopted a temporary constitution and the name American Legion.

The returning veterans of World War I organized the Shippensburg American Legion Post #223 Aug. 15, 1919 with George H. Stewart Jr. as the first commander.
The young growing post met at various places in the order. The Y.M.C.A. room on West King Street (later the Valley Baking sales room and coffee shop), the room above the old A&P store on West King (near Orkeys Bar), the room above the old A&P store on West King (near N. Seneca St.), The former Morrison Hotel on West King St. which the Legion purchased and renovated and is now Knutes Bar and Grill,and now their new home is in the Shippensburg Industrial Park near Dykemans Spring (former duck pond).