A.P. Gardner Post 194
On September 4th 1919, fifteen former servicemen met on the second floor of the Hamilton Hardware Store. Existing at the time in Hamilton was an informal community consisting of former Civil War, Spanish American War, and predominantly, World War I and Allied Expeditionary Force 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, and due in part to one of the founding members of the American Legion, Colonel Francis R. Appleton Jr. of Appleton Farms. The American Legion was entirely comprised at the time of Veterans of the Allied Expeditionary Force, Veterans of the First World War.
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 Post meeting Colonel George Donaldson was elected temporary Chairman and Mr. Robert Chittick temporary Secretary. Decision was made by the attending Veterans to file an application for an American Legion Post.
At the 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 possible, and close to one hundred servicemen of Hamilton indicated their desire to join the Post, which came soon thereafter.
A committee was formed to name the Post and so it was named “American Legion Post A.P. Gardner”, in Honor of Major Augustus Peabody Gardner, who died during the First World War. Additionally, all of Hamilton’s servicemen who died in the service of their country, as a mark of respect, were honored when the Post was chartered. Post Headquarters / Legion Hall was soon permanently established above the Hamilton Hardware store.
Permanent organization was affected at the next meeting which time permanent officers were elected. The first officers of American Legion Post were: Commander: Colonel George Donaldson, Adjutant: Mr. Robert Chittick.
The American Legion Auxiliary
A Women’s Auxiliary of American Legion Post 194 was formed on August 2, 1934. 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 American Legion
A Sons of the Legion for American Legion Post 194 was formed on September 6, 1932. The Legion has every reason to be proud of it’s Sons of Legion unit, which gained statewide recognition because of its programs of service.