"American Legion Post 52" La Crosse, Wisconsin - Legion Posts and Branches on Waymarking.com

On January 19, 1920, at a meeting held in Yeomen Hall, (later known as the Labor Temple) officers for the year 1920 were elected as follows: Stanley Gordon, Commander; Dr. Matt McGarty, Vice Commander; George Howe, Adjutant; Louis Robinson, Finance Officer; Myron Locke, Historian; and Rev Clarke, Chaplain. William C. Strehl, John L. Hofweber, and Quicy Hall were apointed to draft a Constitution and By-Laws. Membership dues were set at two dollars per year. Regular meeting were scheduled for the seconed Monday of each month to be held at the Yeoman Hall. R. F. Schultz ws named Post Adjutant, a postion he held until 1925.

The name of the Post was changed on April 1, 1921, to Roy L. Vingers Post, to honor a local man who was killed in action on August 5, 1918, in France. At this same time, a committee was appointed to organize a unit of the Ladies Auxiliary of The American Legion.

During the years, many different meeting places were used including the County Courthouse, Eagle Hall (located then in the old La Crosse Theatre building), Odd Fellows Hall, K of P Hall, Wiggerts Hall, Chamber of Commerce and for several years in the Boerner Building at 3rd and Main Street.

In September 1936, the Marinello property at 215 South 6th Street was purchased and remodeled to serve as Club Rooms and meeting hall. During the war years, "Draftee" parties were held by the Post for the inducted service men and their families. For many years, the hall was used by the Red Cross as a collection station for blood donors to contribute to the blood program. At a special meeting held on July 25, 1968, the decision was made to sell this property and purchase the former Governors Guard Armory and the adjoining corner lot at 6th and Market Streets for the purpose of constructing a Memorial Building. The first meeting at the new location was held June 1969 and the move was completed in August.

Post 52 has hosted the State Convention of the American Legion in the years 1926, 1932, 1958, and Bicentennial year 1976. There were 2, 143 delegates and guest officially registered at the 1976 Convention, which mad this one of the largest and most outstanding meeting in state history.

Four members have served as Department Vice-Commander, William C. Strehl, Carleton Evens, George Hetherington, and Fran R. Schnieder. At the Department Convention in July 1965 at Waukesha, Frank R. Schneider was elected Department Commaner for 1965-1966. On the completion of his term, he was chosen to serve a two term as National Executive Committeeman from Wisconsin.

A Drum and Bugle Corps, organized among the membership in 1927, won the State Championship in competition at the Department Convention in 1931. The Drum and Bulge Corps envolved in the Sergeants Color Guard. They led many parades throughtout the Coulee Region and, for years, led the Seventh District in the state convention parade. This unit held an annual fun night in the fall and the monies received from these events were used to buy uniforms and to help with projects in the club. For several years, the unit donated to the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Drive. The unit disbanded in the late 1990s' The Memorial Day Parade was led by this unit for many years and even after disbanding, the men got together and led the parade. Other Corps, including Junior Corps, have been sponsored intermittently over the years.

Since January 1929, Post 52 has continuously sponsored an annual banquet to allow the Legionnaires of the area to meet with the Department Officers and hear their reports.

The American Legion Baseball program has been one of the major projects of the Post since 1933. Several State Championship teams have been produced. In 1941, the La Crosse team advanced to the National semi-finals at Russell, Kansas.

For many year, the Post and the Auxiliary Unit have been responsible, assisted by other Civic and Fraternal organizations and individuals, for the sending of local high school juniors to Badger Boys State and Badger Girls State each summer for a program of training in Citizenship and Americanism. Several members of the Post and Auxiliary Unit serve as Counselors for these programs. Futher evidence of the Constant interest of the Post in the Children and Youth program of the American Legion is shown by annual participation in the Oratorical Contest, Youth Government Day, and School Awards program. A Squadron of the Sons of The American Legion, Originally organized and chartered in 1935, has recently been reativated and is meeting regularly.

In 1963, Post 52 sponsored an "Old Fashioned Fouth of July Celebration." Various forms of entertainment were proveded with a big parade, band concerts, drum corps exhibitions, a prominent speaker, and a large display of fireworks to climax the day. Plans were for it to be an annual event, but after a few years, the program was abandoned due to lack of public interest. The Post has participated in Oktoberfest activities each year since its inception in 1965. The Post has been a participant in the community River Fest held annually over the 4th of July since 1984

One of the area's best units is the F Troop Firing Squad. The squad started out and is still known to members as "F" Troop. At the present time, there are more than 28 active members. The squad does many military funerals. It is great to see these dedicated veterans and all dressed alike doing a funeral and presenting the flag to the next of kin. The squad puts on the SOS breakfast the first Sunday of each month. The squad gives generously to the various projects of the Post.

Street address: 711 6th St. S Year the building was constructed.: 1964 Activities: Family activities Hall rental: Yes Can headgear be worn inside?: Yes Web-link for this "Legion": [Web Link]

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