Morocco American Legion: 100 Years and still going strong

By GREGORY MYERS nceeditor@centurylink.net

Being recognized for their service to the Legion were WW II vets Victor Carlson, Warren “Bud” Johnson, Gordan White, William Miller, and Ed Camblin. Shown from left are Dave Clements, Victor Carlson, Gordan White, Ed Camblin, Warren “Bud” Johnson, Ron Hoaks Jr., Tim Geller, Bob Goddard. Not pictured is William Miller. (NCE PHOTO/GREGORY MYERS)

MOROCCO — Honoring its World War II veterans who still live in the community, the Morocco American Legion Post 146 celebrated its 100th anniversary Nov. 16 with a brief ceremony and a light dinner.

“We wanted to do something to celebrate 100 years as a post, while also recognizing our World War II veterans,” said Morocco American Legion Commander Ron Hoaks Jr., “These are the guys who passed the torch to us and made this legion what it is today.”

Being recognized for their service to the Legion were WW II vets Victor Carlson, Warren “Bud” Johnson, Gordan White, William Miller, and Ed Camblin.

The William Chizum Post 146 in Morocco was chartered on Oct. 24, 1919.

100 Years of Community Service

The American Legion is celebrating 100 years since its establishment by an act of Congress. The American Legion is the largest wartime veterans service organization, with nearly 2 million members and 12,700 posts worldwide.

In 1919, the American Legion was chartered by Congress as a patriotic veterans organization. The American Legion’s efforts in the 1920s resulted in the creation of the U.S. Veterans Bureau, the forerunner of Veterans Affairs that we know today. Today, the American Legion is involved in many aspects of your community. It lobbies for veterans, sponsors baseball leagues, Boy Scouts and an annual summer camp for civics education in 49 states.
 
Notable Events

1919 March 15-17: Americans who fought in World War I convene in Paris for the first American Legion caucus.

• Sept. 16: Congress charters the American Legion.

• Nov. 10-12: First Legion convention convenes in Minneapolis. A resolution is passed in support of Boy Scouts of America.

1921: Efforts result in the creation of the U.S. Veterans Bureau, forerunner of the Veterans Affairs.

1923: The first “Flag Code” is drafted during a Legion conference in Washington. Congress adopts the code in 1942.

1925: The American Legion baseball program is created.

1935: The first American Legion Boys State convenes in Springfield, Ill., to help boys gain an understanding of government and civics.

1938: The National High School Oratorical Contest is held to promote a greater understanding of the U.S. Constitution.

1944: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs into law the original GI Bill. The bill is considered the Legion’s single greatest legislative achievement.

1966: The Legion urges a full accounting of all POWs and troops missing in action.
1969: The National Emergency Fund is established.

1972: The Legion starts a Halloween safety program for children.
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1982: The Legion presents a$1 million check to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for construction of the wall in Washington.
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