Post 44 Ridgefield, Washington

Post 44

Ridgefield, Washington

Post 44 Ridgefield, Washington

About This Post

Post Namesake
Wells Armstrong, First Ridgefield resident to die in France in WW1.Pvt, USA 1918. First Post 44 named for him in June 1922. Edward L. Layne Commander. Armstrong-Thomas Post No. 44 established in Feb, 1951, Dalton Grove Jr. , Commander. THOMAS added to name to remember George Firman Thomas,S1C, USNR missing in action at sea, Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in Pacific, Nov. 15 , 1944. Sgt David Baker USMC, died of wounds in Viet Nam , 9/18/70 and is remembered
Notable Members
Bruce Crockett, Commander. Bob Ford, Commander Bryan Laycoe, Commander 2015, 2016 Past Commanders Lightburn, Wertz
What Makes this Post Unique
Ridgefield is small town America. Coming into town reminds you of the boys coming home on the bus after serving. Post 44 is all about our community and giving back. From Ceremonies to the 4th July parade we render honors to Veterans. We place flags up and down streets on flag days. We placed flagpoles in our local cemeteries. We raise funds for local community needs. We preserve veteran memorials

Photos

HISTORY

1910

Ridgefield Man killed in France

Jul 2, 1918
Wells Armstrong, Pvt, USA, was buried at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France after being killed near there, dying on July 2nd, 1918 from wounds received in action. Wells was 27 and a farmer in Ridgefield, Wa. He registered for the draft in Portland. He entered the US Army and was assigned to the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division with deployment to France in 1918. Germany launched a Spring Offensive near the Marne River in..
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Ridgefield Man killed in France

1920

Wells Armstrong Post 44 Ridgefield established

Wells Armstrong Post 44 Ridgefield established

Jun 1, 1922
The American Legion begins in Ridgefield. 5 young men from the area died during WW1.
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1930

WW1 Monument in Ridgefield

Jun 1, 1930
American Legion and VFW and local citizens created and located the Monument at Ridgefield High School on Pioneer Street. Dedicated to the five young men who died in WW1.Three were returned to Ridgefield for burial.
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WW1 Monument in Ridgefield
Post 44 Meeting , Ridgefield, Pioneer and Main.

Post 44 Meeting , Ridgefield, Pioneer and Main.

Sep 14, 1938
Installation Meeting above Hardware Store .Chester Bagley, Commander and George Schimelpfenig, Vice.
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Harry Stubbs Era Post 44

Aug 17, 1939
21 years of American Legion Existence
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Harry Stubbs Era Post 44

1940

Harry Stubbs , 5th District Commander

Harry Stubbs , 5th District Commander

Sep 12, 1940
This rural mail carrier was big part of post history in 1930s and 1940s
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George F. Thomas, Ridgefield sailor, dies in Pacific

Nov 15, 1942
George Firman Thomas, Seaman 1st Class USNR, was lost at sea when his ship, USS Preston, was sunk in the Battle of Guadalcanal. He enlisted in April 1942. His ship and crew were made ready in Hawaii. He was a Ridgefield High Graduate. His father is George R Thomas, American Legion Post 44. " At 0035 on 15 Nov, 1942 USS Preston was in task force proceeding west between Guadalcanal and Savo Island in search..
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George F. Thomas, Ridgefield sailor, dies in Pacific
Corporal Tubby, Dogs for Defense, Dies in War

Corporal Tubby, Dogs for Defense, Dies in War

Aug 31, 1944
US Marine Guy Wachtsletter wrote to Mr. and Mrs. Leo Raymond of Ridgefield, Wa. " Now I have to tell you the worst. Tubby was shot and killed the night of August 31. He has to his credit eight japs..he behaved like a true Marine at all times and didn't even whimper when he died. He was shot thru the heart and died instantly. We have buried him in the Marine Cemetery along with the..
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Post 44 and Auxiliary Meeting after WW2

Jun 1, 1948
A proud distinguished group after the war years.
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Post 44 and Auxiliary Meeting after WW2

1970

USMC SGT David W. Baker killed in Viet Nam

USMC SGT David W. Baker killed in Viet Nam

Sep 18, 1970
Sgt. Baker was a squad leader with KILO Company, 3rd Battalion. 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division and was on patrol in Quang Nam Province near Da Nang. A Ridgefield graduate, he was 19 when he was gravely wounded by mortar and mine fragments. He was cared for at 95th Evac Hospital in Da Nang from 7/31/70 until his death 9/18/70. His brother Dan of Ridgefield was able to be with him. "I was there..
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2000

The American Legion Post 44 Ridgefield is chartered

Nov 15, 2007
17 veterans come together to open Post 44 at Bob's Automotive on Pioneer in Downtown Ridgefield
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Veterans Service Office Dedicated

Veterans Service Office Dedicated

Sep 16, 2009
Ridgefield Post 44, The American Legion , dedicated and opened their Service Office in downtown on Pioneer Street. Commander Jeff Lightburn , Bob Ford and Bruce Crockett , welcome District and Department officers. Mayor Ron Onslow cut the red ribbon. The post is located at Bob's Automotive.
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2010

American Flags Line Streets of Ridgefield

Jun 1, 2010
American Legion, Post 44 began placement of permanent holes on side of Pioneer and Main Street in Ridgefield. Flags will also go around all 3 turnarounds. Future Flags over I5 overpass and new turnarounds and Pioneer overpass over BN Tracks. 300 to 400 flags. Post 44 will maintain and put flags up on flag days
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American Flags Line Streets of Ridgefield
Ridgefield Veteran's Memorial Dedicated

Ridgefield Veteran's Memorial Dedicated

Nov 8, 2013
Ridgefield Post 44, The American Legion, Constructed a new Monument to Ridgefield War Dead from all Wars and all Veterans. This replaced small plaques from earlier wars.
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Ridgefield Cemetery Flagpole Erected by Post 44

Apr 10, 2014
After 100 years, a glorious White Flagpole and American Flag flies over center of Ridgefield Cemetery. Memorial Day Ceremonies will be there. All may pause under flag and remember and reflect. For God, Country, and all Veterans.
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Ridgefield Cemetery Flagpole Erected by Post 44
Bethel Church Flagpole by Post44, American Legion

Bethel Church Flagpole by Post44, American Legion

Sep 13, 2015
Post 44 completed a beautiful glistening white flagpole at Bethel Evangelical Methodist Church on Carty Road. It is located in area of grave For God, Country and all Veterans. of WW1 veteran lost in war. The WW1 Monument was also relocated to this site.
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Flagfole dedicated at Sara Union Cemetery

Nov 11, 2016
American Legion Post 44, Ridgefield, Wa. formally dedicated a new 35 foot flagpole at Sara Cemetery on Veterans day. The new pole was erected by Post members earlier in November to replace a broken pole. Sara Union Cemetery is the site of 4 Civil War Veterans amongst many other Veterans graves. Post Commander Bryan Laycoe and Adjutant Bob Ford headed up the Color Guard and 7 man Rifle Squad. Many of the Sara Families attended,..
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Flagfole dedicated at Sara Union Cemetery
Ridgefield 4th July Parade led by Post 44 Color Guard

Ridgefield 4th July Parade led by Post 44 Color Guard

Jul 4, 2017
2017 is the 100 yr. Anniversary of the entry of the USA in WW1. Many Ridgefield men were drafted and left home to end up in France in 1917 to 1918. 5 died in France in 1918. They are honored on these pages. This 4th of July parade honors these men and remembers all Veterans. We begin preparing for the 100 yr Anniversary of the Legion and Post 44
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National Vice Commander visits Ridgefield Post 44

Oct 26, 2017

It was a truly historic day for Post 44. Paula Stephenson, National Vice Commander , came to visit and see how the little post can do things most big posts cannot. This was the first visit by a National Officer in our 100 year history. The weather was perfect and our street flags fluttered perfectly in the wind. We showed off our Veteran's Memorial , Our Flags and Our Community. Our Mayor, Ron Onslow, bragged about..

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National Vice Commander visits Ridgefield Post 44
WW1 Centennial Parade Ridgefield WA

WW1 Centennial Parade Ridgefield WA

Jul 4, 2018

Ridgefield's 4th July parade this year honored American participation in WW1 and the 100 year Anniversary of The American Legion. Post 44 is just a few years short of 100. The Grand Marshal of the Parade was 96 year old , Dorothy Dwyer. Dorothy served on General Eisenhower's staff in North Africa. She is a member of Post 44. Our Color Guard was spectacular.


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