American Legion Post 57

 

Post History

On Feb 4,1920, five former servicemen met in the high school auditorium. Existing at the time in Lake City was an informal community consisting of former World War I Veterans. The decision to organize an American Legion Post resulted from the conclusion of these Veterans that the American Legion was the representative Veterans' organization in this country. That conclusion has been proven true as today the American Legion is the largest wartime Veterans' organization with nearly 15,000 local Posts throughout America and over 3 million members who care about America, Veterans, their families and our nation's youth.

At the first meeting Mr. C.V McClug was Post Commader and Mr. J.D Crabb was Post Adjutant. Decision was made by the attending Veterans to file an application for an American Legion Post.

At next meeting, a Certificate of Application for a Charter was presented. It was also decided at this meeting to organize a Post as soon as seventy four servicemen of Columbia County had indicated their desire to join the Post..

A committee was formed to name the Post and the Post was named "American Legion Post 57”.  All of servicemen who died in the service of their country, as a mark of respect,  were honored when the Post was chartered.

Permanent organization was affected at the next meeting which time permanent officers were elected. The first officers of American Legion Post were: Commander: Mr C.V McClug, Adjutant: Mr. J.D. Crabb

Affiliated Organizations

A Women's Auxiliary of American Legion Post 57 was formed on Jan 21,1925. The Legion has every reason to be proud of it's Auxiliary.  Auxiliary members are always anxious and willing to co-operate in every Legion activity.

Sons of the Legion for American  Legion Post 57 was formed on Nov 2,1938.  The Legion has every reason to be proud of it's Sons of Legion unit, which gained statewide recognition because of it's programs of service.

                                                                              Patriotic Days

MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the Lake City community, the  goal of every Veteran to it's last man is to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead of all of the wars of the country; and all graves are decorated on this National Holiday.

 ARMISTICE DAY, now called VETERANS' DAY, originally marked the end of fighting in World War I. It is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all Veterans. It has been in Lake City.  Annually the Post sponsored the Armistice Day Parade. An important tradition was established when the Post led in the memorial exercises at 11 o'clock on the morning of November 11, marking the exact hour of the cessation of hostility on the war fronts.

Registration Of Graves

Since it's inception American Legion Post 57has been a leader in this community in the area of graves registration; which has been incorporated by all the American Legion Posts in Columbia County. Grave Registration enables all interested parties to locate the site of the grave of each Veteran. American Legion Post 57 acquired a burial lot in ______ Cemetery and this has been marked by the erection of a massive monument marking it as the burial lot for servicemen without kin. Each year, active members place a flag on each Veteran's grave.

Scholarships and Community Projects

American LegionPost --- sponsors various scholarships for the further education of our children. We also sponsor and financially assist many worthy community projects and programs initiated by the National American Legion.

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