January 1952 to December 1952

January, 1952
The post voted approval of organizing a veterans council in Shippensburg, this being and official organization representing all posts in Shippensburg whose main objective is to be carrying on the civic projects which requires the united effort of all veteran posts. John Snoke, a past Commander of the VFW post, was elected the first president of the council. This group will consist of all Commanders of all posts plus two other post members from each post. It will replace the old joint veterans' Memorial Committee which in late years has had to stay in existence all year to look after the Honor Roll for Korean Veterans as well as Armistice Day and Memorial Day.
February, 1952
The post weight lifting team entered competition in Baltimore, Maryland.
A total of 54 members were read for application of membership. This was the largest group admitted into membership at one time since the close of World war 11.
Lights were installed at the Korean Honor Roll by the Shippensburg Veterans Council.
Friday, February 22nd, the annual military ball was held in the gymnasium of the Scotland School for orphans under the sponsorship of the post which paid all expenses of the ball.
Thursday evening, Feb. 21st, the post held a Past Commander's night in honor of all Past Commanders of the post. district Commander was present and gave the evening address and obligated the new quota of members gained in the intensive membership drive for the month.
March, 1952
The post entered " the Spirit of 76" in the Musical Calendar Revue directed by the Shippensburg Sorority for the benefit of the Memorial park Association. All proceeds went to the park fund. The review was a music program in costume as necessary for all months of the year. The post was assigned the month of July and entered the patriotic theme of the two drummers and fifer in colonial costume.
April, 1952
The post went on record supporting Harling Sponseller for the position of superintendant of the Pennsylvania School for Veterans Children at Scotland, PA. Sponseller was announced a candidate for the position left vacant by the death of Jerry Allen.
The Red Cross Bloodmobile visited Shippensburg in April and received donations from 51 local persons solicited by Frank Eisenhower.
The resolution extending free membership to World war 1 veterans was read and approved. to be eligible for free membership, a veteran must have been a member in good standing for at least 15 years.
Comrade Harry Burns announced the high school winners of the Essay and Scholarship and the bill $78.00 for the cash prizes.
Comrade Herbert Beckenbaugh announced the closing of the season for the Legion's Bowling Team.
May, 1952
The American Legion Minutemen participated in all local Memorial day exercises which was conducted under the chairmanship of Comrade B.W. Brechbiel.
Grave Registrar Bill Burkhart placed flags on all local cemeteries.
June, 1952
at the close of the intensive membership drive, Comrade B.W. Brechbiel was announced the winner, having acquired the most new members. Charles Alpaugh was second prize winner. Total membership of the post for the year totaled 1,023 members, largest in the history of the American Legion post in Shippensburg. next highest year was in 1945 when the post reached 998 members at the close of the war.
July, 1952
during this year William Burkhart wrote a column of G.I and veteran news for the Shippensburg News Chronical which appeared once a week under the heading "Legion Lines." this column was written free of charge by William Burkhart and its publication cost the post nothing. It was a means of plugging the membership drive, post activities and current stories and excerpts from letters of local boys fighting in Korea.
The following officers were installed to serve the post for the year:
Commander-Frank Eisenhower, Sr. Vice-Kenneth Rhone, Jr. Vice-jerry Hummel, Finance Officer-Howard Crownover, Chaplain-Mark Snoke, Judge Advocate-Richard Wolfrom, Service Officer-George Bailey, Sgt at Arms-Edgar Shoemaker, and Historian- William Burkhart.
August, 1952
Frank Eisenhower attended the State Department Convention in Pittsburgh and reported on the convention deliberations at the August meeting of the post. Continuing the fight against the spread of Communism in this country and membership increase were the two major objectives for American Legion Posts in the coming year.
The American Legion Post took part in the newly activated Ground Observation project in Shippensburg. The lookout on top of the American Legion Building on West King St. was put into use and the Legionnaires assigned to the 24-hour tour of watches on Monday of each week. Post members continued to help with this project throughout August and beginning of September until it was found that roof was unsafe on the building and the lookout was condemned.
The post helped publicize the need for every American Citizen of voting age to vote. This "vote as you please but vote!" campaign was non-partisan and emphasized the citizenship privilege and responsibility in this regard.
September, 1952
Mark Snoke was chairman of Community Service for the post and served as chairman o the hot dog and hamburger stand in the summer festival to raise funds for the Bi-County Hospital Association. The project netted $110.45 for the fund.
Ray Hayes, second Shippensburg soldier to lose his life in the Korean war, was brought home and buried with military honors in Spring Hill Cemetery.
Commander Eisenhower was voted an appropriation of $100.00 to defray his expenses while attending the national Convention in New York City.
The ground observation post was now manned 25% of the time.
The post held a picnic at Camp Legion, Stillhouse Hollow, charging a fee of $2.00 each to help defray expenses, picnic being held 28 September.
a letter of thanks was read from Past Commander Coleman to Adjutant Russell Alpaugh for his faithful service for the past year.
October, 1952
Jack Kleach, a veteran of World war 1, who resided at Orrstown died and was approved to be buried on one of the four American Legion lots in spring Hill Cemetery.
Arthur Burkhart, World war 1 veteran and former officer of the post, was voted "Mr. Civic Minded" at the annual observance of Pennsylvania Week.
Following the passage of the resolution to grant life memberships to World War 1 veterans who had belonged to the post 15 years or more, Fred Squires announced that memberships were being mailed to be effective this post year.
following the report of auditor Belknap, it was decided to economize wherever possible this year, as the post has been dipping into reserve funds to continue operating.
Roy George Black, WW1, former doorman of the post, was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery with military honors.
An effort was made by Roy Reed to organize a Sons of the Legion Post. Only one son attended the first meeting, but with continued effort an organization of sons was formed in the following months
November, 1952
A brief Armistice Day Service was held at the Bull's Eye location where the Korean Honor Roll is located. Fifteen members took part in this service which was conducted by Rev. Porter Seiwell.
The American Legion ceased to take part in the Ground Observation of planes by November, 1952
December, 1952
The post held a Christmas party for Cumberland and Franklin County students of this vicinity who are in the Pennsylvania School for Veterans Children at Scotland. The Christmas party was held at the post with the Post and 40 & 8 sharing the cost.