American Legion Post 259

In July, 1937, a group of World War I veterans met to plan the organization of an American Legion Post in Roscoe. Department vice Commander, Wm. Kane, was consulted and an application was made and filed with the Department. July 24, 1937, a meeting of all veterans in the Roscoe community was called and assembled in the Roscoe City Hall. Temporary officers were appointed and it was voted to hold the first regular meeting August 4, 1937, to elect regular officers.
This first regular meeting was called to order by the temporary commander Paul Elford, for the election of officers which were as followers: Commander Paul Elford, 1st Vice Commander, Charles Fisher, Adjutant, E.E Curtiss, Finance Officer, Barney Miller, Chaplin, W.C. Peterson, Sgt.-at-Arms, John Roesch, Historian, Bernard Mayer, Service Officer, Albin P. Nystrom, Executive Committee, Wm. Bertsch and W.C. Peterson.
The selection of a name for the Post was discussed, and it was voted to honor Andrew Schauer Jr. a Roscoe serviceman, who died in Camp Funstan, Kansas, in October 1918, during the Spanish influenza epidemic.
September 9, 1937, Department vice Commander Wm. Kane, came for the installation of the newly organized Post officers. He brought with him, Marie Kroch, State President of the American Legion Auxiliary, and the officers of the Aberdeen American Legion Sidney L. Smith Post Commander. Paul Elford called the meeting to order, and then turned it over to the Department vice Commander, who then appointed Chris Cacavas, commander of the Aberdeen Post, to conduct the installation. A temporary charter, number 259 was presented to the Post, and was immediately signed by the following members: Paul F. Elford, Albin P. Nystrom, George L. Price, L. E. Larson, John Roesch, Charles Ernest, Samuel Bishop, Wm. Schurr, Eugene Curtiss, W.C. Peterson, Jacob Vogele, Wm. Bertsch, Thomas J. Hopper, Barney Miller, Reinhold Kilber, Wm. Stafford, Charles Fisher, Bernard Mayer, Dwight W. Reidt, Jacob Rohrbach, Pius Fuhrmann, Soloman Reede and Joseph Kraft.
In 1939, the Post needed a home, and after much negotiation, and with the cooperation of the N.Y.A., a stone building was started in March of that year. It was built on the west edge of Roscoe. On lots purchased from J. W, Parmley for the sum of $5.00, this home was used until 1961. An ice skating rink adjacent to the old post home served as a pleasure spot in the winter months for the youngsters.
During WWII, the Roscoe Post participated in the selling of bonds and defense stamps. Parties were held for the boys leaving for the service, and flags were presented to their parents. For several years during the 50's the Post sponsored a Legion Indies' basketball team. Rifles were acquired for the Post Firing Squad and in 1953, 13 helmets, belts, and leggings were purchased for this detail. They were painted white by the Auxiliary members. In 2000, we again updated our Firing Squads uniform. They now wear dark dress pants, white shirts, Post jackets and white gloves.
In 1947, the Roscoe Cemetery Ass'n officially granted the Post a permanent plot for the annual Memorial Day Service program. We now have a program at the school with a speaker then go out to the cemetery for the tribute to our deceased Veterans, with the Color Guard and the Firing Squad.
In November 1950, the Post voted to include the name of Harold Schauer; another son of Andrew and Katherine Schauer Sr. Harold served on the battleship The Chicago, and was killed in combat in January 1943 in the Pacific War Theater. The new charter was received May 18, 1951, and the name of the Post is now Andrew and Harold Schauer Post 259.
Other serviceman who were killed in time of war were Edward L. O'Leary, Sebastion Baumgartner and Ernest Noehre, who died during WWII.
O'Leary served on the USS Houston as a gunner. His ship was attacked by Japanese planes and his anti- aircraft station was hit. He and 47 other solders were killed on February 4, 1942. The USS Houston was sunk March 1, 1942. The remains of the 48 killed were temporary buried at Europeesche Begraafpalaas, Chilachap (Tjilatjap) Java. Officiated by Chaplain G.S. Rentz, Commander. CHC U.S. NAVY of the Houston. Later, in 1950, Edward O'Leary was returned to SD and buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Aberdeen, SD on February 27, 1950.
Baumgartner served in the Army Air Corps. He was killed on December 9, 1943, when his plane crashed during a fighter pilot training exercise near Seattle, Washington. Sebastion Baumgartner is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Seattle.
Noehre served in the Navy as a glider pilot. While engaged in flight operations over Germany, he was wounded on March 24, 1945. He died as a result of his injuries six days later and seventy seven other men also died This was the most dangerous day for American
Glider Pilots in the history of the glider program. Ernest Noehre is buried in Netherlands American Cemetery near Margraten, Netherlands.
In 1959, the Post decided that they must either remodel or repair the old Post home, for the purpose of expanding their activities and programs. After several months of discussion, planning, looking for a new and larger building, through the efforts of Martin Scherf, they became aware of a large church in Aberdeen that was to be moved or razed. The church was purchased for $1,250.00 and the members dismantled it and used the material for the new Post home. Several acres of land which had to be cleared and landscaped were acquired through negotiations with the city of Roscoe. About 40 acres of land was purchased from Fred Sauer in January 1960, for $75.00 per acre. At the same time, Martin Scherf donated 14 acres of land, and gave the Legion a 99 year lease on an additional 6 acres of land.
This enlargement and acquisition of property necessitated changes in the Post's structure and they were advised to incorporate. Our articles of incorporation were completed in May 1960.
A plan was finally agreed upon as to the size and shape of the building and construction was begun in 1960. Many area citizens, other than Legionnaires, donated labor and money for the cement blocks for the basement and building. Many problems were encountered such as basement walls collapsing due to heavy rain and delayed work in general. The first Legion meeting was held in the new home January 5, 1961. Misfortune struck again in February 1961, when fire caused extensive damage. It took several months to repair and rebuild.
The Legion building completed, plans were made to construct a golf course just south of the Post. June 2, 1960 a golf Ass'n was formed, and it was agreed to rent the land from the Legion Post. This became a beautiful nine hole golf course.
In 1961, a ball park and athletic field, north of the Legion home was completed. This now is a lighted field and is used for all home football games and other athletic functions. These grounds were used for the men and women's softball games; it is still use for the youth baseball program for both the girls and boys.
The Rod and Gun Club was given a lease on the grounds east of the building and permission given for them to erect their equipment for the purpose of holding trap shoots.
The Post had to make a substantial loan to cover their building expenses and to carry out their many programs. Many fund raisers were held such as smokers, raffles and various other projects. We continue to hold fundraisers, like the smoker raffles and steak fry's, for the upkeep of our building. The auxiliary gives us as much financial assistance as they can afford. They furnish much labor for the interior decorating, and completely furnished the kitchen.
For many years the main floor of the Post consisted of the meeting rooms, restrooms, and a large area that was the bowling ally from 1962 to 1969. During that time the lower level consisted of a large club room, used for banquets, bingo, dances, receptions and meetings. There was a kitchen, restrooms, the furnace room. The large meeting room on the main floor was used for the special education class in the 1962-63 school year. For several years, beginning in May 1964, it was used as an office for the Selective Service Board.
The old stone Legion building with two lots was sold to Glen Township in July 1961 to be used as a meeting and election hall.
In 1972, the upper floor was completely remodeled to become what is known as the "Legion Lounge" complete with a large dance floor with a small stage area for the bands with tables on three sides. It also has a long bar on the west side of the dance floor. In 1977, the kitchen was moved upstairs to the main floor £or a more convenient arrangement for the different functions that are held. The Legion Post has been the site for many wedding receptions, dances, meetings, and the annual New Years Eve party. It is the site for all the Legion and Auxiliary activities and functions for many other organizations. In 1990, we again remodeled our Post Home, we painted the interior put in different ceiling lights, painted the ceiling tile, refurnished the dance floor, put in new carpet. We took out the small stage for the bands and made the stage at the south end of the hall. We now have tables on two sides of the dance floor. A wheel chair lift was put in at the south door; also a wheel chair ramp was made by the south stage door. The outside of the building was painted and a new roof was put on, they took out the double doors on the west side of the building and put in one door in. In 2006, the kitchen floor was replaced. In 2008, the NW room off the kitchen received a new floor and double doors. The basement is still being used by the youth for Archery and the Gun Safety program is held there each year.
The Roscoe Post and Auxiliary has hosted the Spring and Fall District meeting's several different years and we again hosted the Spring meeting in 2007. One of our own members has held the office of District Commander, that position was held by Ron Hoffer in 1992-93.
The Legion has received many certificates of merit and awards for achievement over the years. The Post sponsors a boy stater each year. The first boy stater to represent the Roscoe Post was Henry Meier in 1942. The following boys have represented Roscoe Post 1944-Harold Sahli, 1947 Ray Fredrickson, 1948 Harold Bauer, 1949 Elmer Preszler, 1950 Leo Himmerich. 1951 Arnold Schurr. 1952 James Mitzel. 1953 Francis Meier,1954 Tom Uhrich, 1955 Kenneth Buechler. 1956 Le Roy Pietz. 1957 Harry Himmerich, 1958 Larry Ellwein, 1959 Leon Ellwein, 1960 Jim Fisher, 1961 Verlin Naasz, 1962 Jim Haerter. 1963 Harvey Hoffer, 1964 Darold
Haug; 1965 Glenn Wiedrich. 1966 Ron Walth, 1967 John Bader, 1968 Doug Prisbe, 1969 Mark Johnson, 1970 Dallas Schneider, 1971 Neil Ellwein,1972 Clayton Geist, 1973 Doug Roesch, 1974 Myron Schnaible, 1975 Dale Hettich, 1976 Andrew Geier, 1977 Curtis Fisher and Brian Johnson, 1978 Keith Schurr, 1980 Todd Walters and Clint Kilber, 1981 Todd Prisbe, 1982 Mark
Sauer, 1983 Darin Himmerich and Shane Himmerich, 1984 Kent Fisher and Bo Beck, 1985 Brian Hauck and Allen Beyersk, 1986 Eugene Thomas and Scott Allbee, 1987 Brad Prisbe, 1988 Terry Allbee, 1989 Jason Himmerich, 1990 Michael Lehr, 1991 Chad Beyers, 1992 Mike Faw, 1993 Jason Heier, 1994 Matthew Barondeau, 1995 James Kramp, 1996 Jesse Vargason,
1998 Corey Flannery, 2000 Nathaniel Flannery, 2001 Jordon Opp, 2003 Brad Heyne, 2004 Jared Opp, 2006 Jeffery Roesch, 2007 Gage Brausen.
Americanism awards are given to each senior boy and girl every year. The Post conducts the Memorial Day Services, participates in community activities which includes leading the homecoming parade with the Legion Color Guard and conduct graveside Military Rites for our deceased comrades.
In 1976, in connection with our country's Bi-Centennial the Post obtained a M115 Howitzer from an Army Depot in Pueblo, CO, which Erwin Spitzer and Orval Schneider transported here with Spitzer equipment. It was mounted on a permanent cement platform facing the city. This was also the year the final payment was made on their building loan and a "mortgage burning ceremony" was held.
In 1981, the need for new flags in Roscoe was recognized and arrangements were made with the downtown merchants to purchase flag brackets that were mounted on the light posts by the Legionnaires and the flags are flown on Flag Day and the National holidays.
Our present Legion officers are Ron Hoffer Commander, 1st vice Dwight Lehr, 2nd vice Le Roy Sauer and adj. and finance officer Melvin Himmerich.
Charter Commander Paul Elford 1938-38, Past Post Commanders are as followers: W.C. Peterson, E.E. Curtiss, Benard Mayer, Albin Nystrom, Thomas Hopper, Dwight W Reidt, Harold Peterson, Harvey Haug, Walter Lammle, Harold Margeson, Alvin Schmitt, LeRoy Bieber, Emmett Johnson, Earl Hettick, Orval Schneider, Ervin Bader, Clemens Geier, James Kilber, Harold Sahli, Harley Mohr, Verne Reidt, Ricky Hauck, John Malsom, Bernard Heier, Dennis Hettich and Ron Hoffer.
Through out history we have had many of the Roscoe area men and boys go off to war from the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korean, Viet Nam, Dessert Storm,Saudi and now the present over in Iraq. We know of one Civil War Veteran, F.E. Witter; he is buried at Riverside
Memorial Cemetery in Aberdeen, SD. There may have been more who served our country that we aren't aware of.