Dateline 1944
Dr. Arthur Jackson, John Berselero, Cecil Stoner, Ray F. Stoner, John Konola and a few other veterans applied for a charter or a Post in July, 1919 and the Post was organized in October 1919. Dr. Arthur Jackson was the first commander and he is still active in the Post. The membership is about 200.
The Post does not yet own its own home business meetings are held in the city hall and the social meetings are held in the city park dance hall. The Homestake Mining Company gave the Post a lot on Main Street and a Post building will be built just as soon as building materials and labor costs justify building. The Post raise funds by means of dances at the city park during the summer and it conducts the largest outdoor ice skating rink in the Midwest.
The Post takes it community responsibilities seriously. It bought two resuscitators, one iron lung,one incubator and assisted the local voiture in raising funds for the first iron lung in the state. It sends delegates to Boy's State and sponsors Junior League Baseball. It spent $1500.00 one year on Junior League Baseball, it also sponsors and participates in supporting all other sports in the community. It makes liberal contributions to all worthwhile activities including Father Flannigan's Boys Home, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. It entertains its members with a banquet or mulligan stew each month.
During the war the Post collected 1560 pounds used records. It advised the draftees as to their benefits, gave dances and parties for the servicemen before they left for camp and after they returned from the war. The Post assisted in the recruiting programs and in law enforcement. It raised $835 for Navy relief.
The following members served in both wars: Lt. John Bertelero, Sgt. William Gaebler, Arthur Olson, Lt. Hugh McArthur, and Capt. Reginald S. Fraser.
A large percentage of the membership of this Post is employed by the Homestake mine. The Homestake Mining Company has always assisted the Post in community services.
