By Christopher Holland • The Current Contributing Writer
The American Legion is turning 100, and American Legion Post 304 in Jim Thorpe is planning to celebrate.
The post, located at 20 W. 6th St. in Jim Thorpe, was chartered in 1919. The organization as a whole traces its roots to March 15-17, 1919, in Paris, France, in the aftermath of World War I. The American Legion was federally chartered on Sept. 16, 1919, and quickly became an influential force at the national, state and local levels, dedicated to service to veterans, strong national defense, youth and patriotism.
The 100 year anniversary will be celebrated on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 2-9 p.m. at the Germantown Grove Club on the east side of Jim Thorpe.
A year after it was formed, The American Legion had chartered more than 5,400 local posts that continue to operate today. Since then, it has grown to more than 13,000 posts around the world, and more than 2.2 million wartime-veteran members.
Throughout its first century, The American Legion built a legacy on such accomplishments as leading the way to create U.S. Flag Code, helping start the Veterans Administration, drafting and getting passed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 – the GI Bill – which transformed America in the second half of the 20th century, and helping veterans receive benefits for health care conditions based on their honorable service, including acceptance of Agent Orange exposure as service-connected.
Today, The American Legion has nearly 3,000 accredited service officers worldwide who assist veterans with their benefits claims and other concerns.
Post 304 in Jim Thorpe, named Dolon-Jones-Martino, currently numbers 275 active members and 200 social members, plus 25 in the affiliated American Legion Auxiliary and 20 in the Sons of the American Legion.
Charles J. Dolon was the first person from Mauch Chunk/East Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country during World War I.
Later, during World War II, Robert Lee Jones was added because he was believed to have been the first person from Mauch Chunk/East Mauch Chunk to be a casualty of that war.
However, a short time later, it was realized that Joe “Cudgie” Martino was the true recipient of that grim distinction.
“The American Legion Family of Jim Thorpe is excited to share both the legacy and the vision of our organization,” said Keith McQuait, commander of Post 304.
“We’ve done a lot of good, and intend to keep doing it for a second century,” McQuait said.
Tickets for the centennial event are $20 and are available to active members, social members, and members of the women’s auxiliary and the sons.
The event will host a ceremonial celebration to start the day, followed by entertainment, food and drink.
“Our continuing mission is to honor our fallen comrades, help active duty military, veterans, their families, and to promote children and youth programs,” McQuait said.
The Sons of the American Legion is an organization of men and boys who’s parents or grandparents served their country during times of war.
Being a member of the Sons of the American Legion gives those men an opportunity to honor the service of their parents or grandparents by serving an important role in the American Legion. In order to be eligible for the Sons of the American Legion, you must be the son or grandson of an American Legion Member or an eligible wartime veteran who is deceased.
If you meet the eligibility requirements above and are interested in joining please complete an application and take it to the post.
If you are the son or grandson of an eligible wartime veteran who is deceased, it may be necessary to obtain a copy of their DD-214 for proof of wartime military service.
A DD-214 can be obtained from the National Personnel Records Archives.
If you know you have a family member who makes you eligible and don’t have any surviving relatives who can help you obtain the records, resources such as Ancestry.com or Myheritage.com are a great place to start to find the necessary information.
The American Legion Auxiliary is an organization of women and girls who’s grandparents, parents, siblings, children, or grandchildren served their country during times of war. The ALA plays a vital role in carrying out the mission of the American Legion.
The ALA is about ladies getting together and having fun with friends while doing things to support the American Legion, the troops, and children and youth programs.
Auxiliary meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the backroom of the Legion Post 304 Home Association. Sons meetings are held the last Sunday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
Applications for membership can be taken to the American Legion and dropped in the mail slot box (inside the legion) or emailed. Questions about the application or membership process can be sent to admin@djmlegion.com.
Anyone interested in joining The American Legion Post 304 are welcome to apply. More information on becoming a member or learning more about the post can be found at www.jtfestival.com.
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