Post 60 Clark, South Dakota

Post 60

Clark, South Dakota

Post 60 Clark, South Dakota

About This Post

Post Namesake
George Cagley
Notable Members
Watson Brower, George Sherwood, Ralph Brown, Glen Levitt, Bert Moritz

Photos

HISTORY

1910

Memorial Day Ceremonies

May 30, 1919
Cagley-Smith Post #60 has, since the close of WWI, conducted Memorial Day services to remember and honor those departed servicemen and women who have answered the supreme call. Traditions have changed and while early graves were decorated with the red geranium, today we place a small flag at the head of the grave of all our departed. These flags are placed at Clark Center, Rosehill, St. Boniface, Hauge, South Elrod, Merton, Calvary Lutheran at Bradley,..
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Memorial Day Ceremonies
The Early Years

The Early Years

Sep 9, 1919
Cagley-Smith Post No. 60, American Legion Department of South Dakota had its origin on August 26th of 1919 when an application was submitted for a temporary charter. The temporary charter was issued on September 9, 1919 to Cagley Post No. 60, American Legion, Department of South Dakota. This was the first organized post in Clark County and was named in honor of the veteran, George Lewis Cagley, who was a Sergeant in the First World..
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1920

Post Moves to a new building

Oct 1, 1927
In the fall of 1927, the post moved into the hall above the old Bockoven Drug store which today (2016) is the site of Ken’s Grocery. They remained there until 1947 when they moved into a building they had purchased in 1933. While it is not known to the writer, it is assumed that they bought the property as a source of income as records show rental income from the property. The last known business..
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Post Moves to a new building

1930

The Beginning of Care and Assistance for our Veterans and Families

The Beginning of Care and Assistance for our Veterans and Families

Mar 1, 1931
Throughout the history of the post in the city of Clark, the care of our disabled veterans and their families has been of utmost importance. Records of the post in 1931 indicate their efforts in what was called the Arkansas Relief Drive. Headed up by Legionnaire G.F. Sherwood, the members made a county wide drive to solicit help for those in need. It was reported that $945.89 was raised of which $712 went toward buying..
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1940

Challenges Along the Way

Aug 2, 1946
In the years 1919-1920, then Post Commander Geo. B. Otte, submitted a report of the post’s accomplishments. It is interesting to note that during that winter that he and Vice-Commander W.C.Brower resigned their offices in accordance with the state and national constitutions of the American Legion. Mr. Otte was elected to the state legislature and Mr. Brower was named States Attorney. During this period of time, the post adjutant moved from the community and it..
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Cagley Post becomes Cagely-Smith Post #60

Aug 14, 1946
With the end of WWII and the acceptance of these veterans into membership in the post, a name change to Cagley-Smith Post #60 came about. This change came about to honor Thayne C. Smith, Torpedo Man 2nd Class who went down with the submarine “Shark”on or about February 16th, 1942, while on active duty and Pvt. First Class Kendall E. Smith, who was killed in action on the island of Okinawa on June 19th, 1945...
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1980

Veteran's Memorial located in Flat Iron Park, Clark, SD

Jun 3, 1989
In an attempt to continue to honor our veterans who have made the supreme sacrifice – a monument to those Clark County men was erected in 1989. The monument, located in Flat Iron Park was dedicated June 3, 1989 with Post #60 serving as the host for the dedication. Taking part in the dedication ceremonies was Past Department Commander Glen Green and State VFW Commander Maurice Ratigan. Legionnaire Bob Bauman served as Master of Ceremonies..
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Veteran's Memorial located in Flat Iron Park, Clark, SD
Happy Birthday South Dakota!

Happy Birthday South Dakota!

Jun 3, 1989
South Dakota celebrated 100 years of statehood in 1989 and a statewide Centennial Observance was organized. Parades were numerous throughout the state. A wagon-train was put together and traveled the state during the year. Clark County hosted the wagon train and held a large parade on June 3rd of that year. Legionnaires not being the most energetic float builders, decided to borrow a large covered grain truck and fill it with over 100 balloons. The..
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1990

Glen Levitt Celebrates 75 years as a Legion Member

Feb 1, 1993
Many members have achieved 60 plus years of membership in the American Legion but only one member of the post has ever achieved 75 years of membership to the best of our knowledge. That member was the late Glen Levitt. Glen was a resident of the Odd Fellows Home in Redfield, SD when he received his certificate for 75 years of service, from his fellow legionnaires. Eleven of Levitt’s comrades were on hand to recognize..
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Glen Levitt Celebrates 75 years as a Legion Member
Cagley -Smith moves again

Cagley -Smith moves again

Sep 1, 1993
In 1993, Gary Cushing and his wife donated the old Red Owl Grocery Store building to the post and work began on remodeling it to make it into a post home and a community center. Much credit should be given to members Harold Nipe, Robert Harding and Norman Eckhoff for their foresight in securing the property and for the endless hours of work put into removing all the old store fixtures and installing a complete..
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2000

Family Ties and Patriotism

Dec 1, 2003
Not only did our early day legionnaires have a strong spirit of patriotism, but those who follow also share their strong feelings of patriotism and service to our country. While we are not aware of others, three families of recent years are noted. These families grew up in the Clark area and have had three or more members in the military during the same period of time. They include the families of Walter Lewis, Bruce..
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Honor Flight South Dakota

May 2, 2009
Honor Flight South Dakota was established in 2008 with the mission of taking any WWII veteran from South Dakota who wanted to go to Washington DC to see the WWII Memorial dedicated May 29th, 2004 in their honor. Honor Flight South Dakota made 12 flights to DC allowing over 1,400 WWII veterans to be honored for their service and see their Memorial. All flights were paid for by the generosity of the people of South..
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2010

Programs for Children and Youth

May 11, 2015
We have always considered Programs for Children and Youth to be an important part of Legion activity. Annually we have presented Legion Citizenship Awards to deserving high school seniors, sponsor high school juniors to South Dakota American Legion Boys’ State and conduct student Government Days for high school seniors. Students from Clark and surrounding schools of Henry and Willow Lake have attended. They are briefed by county officials on the duties of their office and..
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Programs for Children and Youth
Ambassador for Peace Medal Ceremony

Ambassador for Peace Medal Ceremony

May 16, 2016
Most recently the Post participated in ceremonies to honor Clark County veterans of the Korean Conflict. County Veterans Service Officer Larry Jones was in charge of the program. South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, Larry Zimmerman addressed the honorees and said “It has been an honor to set up this award.” The award was bestowed on all Korean War Veterans as an expression of appreciation from the people of the Republic of Korea. Zimmerman..
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