History of
American Legion Hammond Post 16
The "War to End All Wars"
finally ended on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year of
Our Lord, 1918. The American Dough boys, who "went over
there" started coming home. But for many of the returning
veterans, their personal war was to continue. America was not
ready to care for their grievous wounds, so it was up to the vets
to take care of each other. The American Legion was created in
Paris, France by the troops awaiting transport back to the
states.
Hammond attorney Floyd Murray was one of those men. With
determination and perseverance, Murray organized the first Legion
post in Lake County, Hammond Post 16, and Indiana's First
District, which encompassed Lake County. On July 5, 1919, The
American Legion issued a charter to Hammond Post 16.
The early going for the veteran's organization was tough going.
Most veterans wanted to forget the horrors they experienced in
the European trenches and get on with their lives. The post's
first few meetings were held in Murray's Hohman Avenue law
office. Eventually, the post started meeting in a room at the
Hammond Chamber of Commerce's building. By 1925, the membership
of the post had reached only 16 members. Rehabilitation of their
war comrades was the main focus of the member's activities.
Eventually, membership began to grow. The post was able to
purchase a permanent building to call its home. In 1937, the post
dedicated the building at 127 State Street in Hammond as the Post
Home. The conclusion of the Second World War saw the ranks of the
Legion swell. The post quickly outgrew the State Street building
and secured a larger headquarters at 6634 Calumet Avenue. This
building was dedicated as the new Post Home in 1950 and remains
so today as the quarters for a viable unit of the American
Legion.
During the post's early years, the WWI generation set the
standards for governance and hospitality. The motto "Post
16, where hospitality is host" was adopted. A war memorial
was dedicated in Harrison Park on Hohman Avenue in Hammond in
1923. Maintained by the post members with the assistance of the
Ladies Auxiliary, the memorial serves as a backdrop for the
Post's annual Memorial Day and Veteran's Day observances. These
moving observances attract several other Legion posts, a VFW
post, local politicians and other dignitaries as well as members
of the community, and are one of the highlights of each year.
Membership in Post 16 peaked in the 1950's, with the entry of
WWII and Korean War vets into the ranks of the Legion. Time began
to take its toll on the WWI veterans, and the WWII vets began to
assume leadership roles in the post. Like most veteran's
organizations, membership is declining today, with the passing of
the WWII veterans and a smaller pool of younger veterans eligible
to join. However, several younger veterans have assumed
leadership roles, and have instituted changes in the post, such
as this web site. Currently the membership stands around 260,
with members continuing to provide service to their community,
state and nation. The post makes substantial charitable
contributions from the proceeds derived from the successful
operation of state licensed bingo games.
Regular business meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each
month, followed by a number of social events during the course of
the year, including the Legion Birthday Party each March and a
Christmas party in December. The post also conducts a solemn flag
disposal ceremony in June or July.
All qualified veterans are encouraged and invited to become
members of Post 16 as our history moves along into the 21st
Century.
There is also an active chapter of the American Legion Ladies
Auxiliary at the post. The ladies supervise the annual Poppy Day
event, assist with the Memorial Day observance, and help out
around the post with bingo and the various parties.
CHARTER MEMBERS OF AMERICAN LEGION
HAMMOND POST 16
Floyd R. Murray, Founder and 1st Commander
J. A. Graham John Laws
Onis O. Melton Roy F. Holly
Joe W. Todd Patrick Schloer
Ray Seely W. E. Price
William E. Nichols Paul Ramthum
George Herner Ed J. Knorzer
Eric Lund Clarence Jones
John Hoess Emry Gustavson
Fred W. Mallon E. F. Lott
J. W. Acton Edward Fredericks
William J. Hastings Henry C. Cleveland
Phillip Greenwald J.A. Chevigny
Morris Iddings Chas. Enswerler
Harry Miller Arthur Rothman
A.W. Loyd