Post 113 Virginia Beach, Virginia

Post 113

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Post 113 Virginia Beach, Virginia

About This Post

Post Namesake

The County of Princess Anne is a county which was created in the British Colony of Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States in 1691.  The first Legion Post in Princess Anne County was started in 1919 with Roy Smith serving as Commander. He and Elmer Brock attended the first convention at Roanoke in November 1919. 

 This was known as Post 51 and had eight to ten members. George Lawrence was the second Commander. Meetings were held in P.D. Scoff's store in Oceana or the old Kempsville, Oceana and Creeds School. Members arrived either on horseback or in a buggy. Charter members were: R.W. Bonney, Langley Land, Rodney Smith, Edwin Lindsley, Herman Simmons, Bill Rudolph and Clarence Hayman. 

In 1929, after a few years of inactivity the Post was reformed and became known as Post 113 with Walter J. Holland serving as Commander. Post 113 held its first meetings in the Old City Hall at 14th and Pacific Avenue for about three months and then moved to the Raleigh Bar (now Holiday Inn) at 14th and Oceanfront where they held their meetings for the next two years. Members at that time were: Albert Sale, Andy Garrison, Henry Winston, Russell Craft, Billy Tarach, Guy Salmons, Roy Smith, Linus Williams, Clarence Hayman, and Lawrence Lockwood.  

In 1932 the Post held its meetings in the Dunes Club at 48th Street (then Colonial Club).  During this time division developed between those members that wanted a bar and those that didn't.

Beginning in 1936 Post 113 held their meetings in a thirty by forty foot cabin constructed by Ernest Miner, Sr. at the corner of 17th Street and Mediterranean Avenue. The land was leased from Murphy for $1.00 a year and this served as the Post Home for the next five years. 

In 1941 we moved two blocks to 19th and Mediterranean and held our meetings in the Knights of Pythias Hall. The Knights of Pythias lost the property on foreclosure to the Bank of Commerce, they in turn sold to Post 113. At this time the financial condition of the Post was such that a raffle was held whenever the interest payment came due so we could raise $20 to $30 to pay the bank. 

During this period the State Convention was held here. 

In 1948 after seven lean years the members hoped the next seven would be a little more prosperous so they purchased the property located on Laskin Road for $3000. The north section of the club was built at that time. Construction of the main hall was started in 1949. At this particular time the dinners served on meeting nights were always the same – that great American delicacy – hot dogs! 

Many members at that time would remember 1948 as the year Bill Kellam failed to be elected Commander by one vote – losing to Johnny Flanagan. Bill made up for this loss by being elected Commander for two consecutive years and State Commander in 1952. 

Notable Members

Past Department of Virginia Commanders from Post 113:

1952-53 William P. Kellam

1961-62 Henry L. Lam

1992-93 Clyde L. Siler

HISTORY

1960

Virginia Beach Hosts 44th Department of Virginia Convention

Sep 6, 1962

The Department of Virginia held its 44th annual meeting at the Alan B. Shepard Convention Center over the September 7-9, 1962 weekend.  The convention steering committee from Post 113 was co-chaired by William P. Kellam (past State Commander)  and S. Peter Scoppa (then current 1st District Commander) both Post 113 members .  The then current State Commander, Henry L. Lam also from Post 113 headed up the  meeting.  The Legion parade was held on Saturday..

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Virginia Beach Hosts 44th Department of Virginia Convention
Virginia Beach declares American Legion week to mark Legion's 50th Anniversary

Virginia Beach declares American Legion week to mark Legion's 50th Anniversary

Feb 6, 1969

Then Mayor Frank A. Dusch of Virginia Beach, VA issued a proclamation declaring AMERICAN LEGION WEEK (February 7th through February 14th, 1969) in honor of the American Legion's 50th Anniversary. 

"As Mayor of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, I urge all citizens to reassert their pride in being an America; to rededicate themselves to the principles that give our nation its spiritual, military and economic..

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1980

Kick-off Flag Raising Ceremony held for the Tidewater Veterans Memorial

Jan 5, 1985

On Saturday, January 5th, 1985 a flag raising ceremony was held in Virginia Beach, Virginia kicking-off the fund raising campaign.  The flag (and flagpole) donated by Princess Anne Post 113 will fly continuously until the dedication of the memorial on Veterans Day, November 11, 1985.  

"A monument to a veteran anywhere is a tribute to veterans everywhere." became the motto for the Memorial Committee.

 

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Kick-off Flag Raising Ceremony held for the Tidewater Veterans Memorial

1990

Henry L Lam, Jr. of Post 113 Honored by General Assembly of Virginia

Henry L Lam, Jr. of Post 113 Honored by General Assembly of Virginia

Feb 18, 1999

Following his passing on January 8th, 1999, the General Assembly of Virginia passed a resolution honoring Judge Henry L Lam, Jr. of Virginia Beach.  Judge Lam was a past Commander of American Legion Princess Anne Post 113 and held many positions of leadership in the American Legion including State Commander for the Department of Virginia during 1962-63.  He was a World War II veteran having joined the United States Army Air Force in 1942 where..

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2010

Virginia Beach Mayor Proclaims "March 15, 2019 The American Legion 100th Birthday"

Mar 15, 2019

At a 100th Anniversary Birthday Dinner for the Amreican Legion sponsored by Princess Anne Post 113, Robert M. "Bobby" Dyer, Mayor or the City of Virginia Beach issued a Proclamation:  "March 15th, 2019 The American Legion 100th Birthday.  The event was a attended by Legionnaires from Post 113 and from Post 110 of Virginia Beach, VA.

Additionally, as a proud Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, Post Commander Wayne J. Mead recognized 3 post members: Steven Brodie, Post..

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Virginia Beach Mayor Proclaims