American Legion

The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress. The American Legion was founded in 1919 by veterans returning from Europe after World War I, and was later chartered under Title 36 of the United States Code. Its primary political activity is lobbying on behalf of the interests of veterans and service members, including support for veterans benefits such as pensions and the Veterans Affairs hospital system. In addition, it organizes commemorative events and volunteer veteran support activities.

Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Tuesday June 22, 1954

S. L. LAST MAN'S CLUB TO MEET

The 34th annual meeting of the Matthews—Killeen Post 614 of the American Legion, and the 19th annual meeting of the Last Man's club connected with the Post, will be held at the Veterans' Club, 173 Broadway on Thursday, at 6:30 p. m.

The bottle of champagne donated 19 years ago by Joseph A. Del Vecchio, a Past Commander of the Post will be taken from the vault of the Adirondack National Bank by Bill Kerr, its custodian, and will hold its traditional place of honor on the dinner table as the members will give a toast to their departed comrades.

In 1919, a few men who had developed tuberculosis as a result of their war service, sought Saranac Lake as a place to cure and Dr. Edward N. Packard was assigned by the U. S. Public Health Service as Medical Examiner. These few men increased from time to time and reached more than 500.

A Legion Post was formed by these veterans and was originally known as the Jackson A. Matthews Post 614, in 1923. In 1927 the name of the Post was changed to the Matthews - Killeen Post. The name of Frank Killeen, a late Past Commander of the Post was added recognition of his diligent work in behalf of the disabled veterans hospitalized here.

The Commander of the Post now Joseph A. Dunn, of 37 Church st.

At present there are 32 members of the Last Man's Club, the majorty of them residing in Saranac Lake. Others are from Vermont, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida and Virginia.

Adirondack Daily Enterprise, February 4, 1958

Legion Play Tomorrow Starts Carnival Fun

By Wm. S. HARRISON

If last year’s presentation of “Room Service” by the American Legion’s comedy group is any criterion of what is in store this year, and as you can only judge the future by the past, then this year’s show “Is Zat So” should be well worth seeing since “Room Service” was reported by all those who were fortunate enough to see it as the best amateur show ever staged in Saranac Lake.

It is being presented by essentially the same group as last year.

The action of the play takes place in a Fifth Avenue mansion, with its tuxedos, low-cut evening dresses, maid, secretary and a family swindler; and mixed up in all this are two prize fighters and their managers with all the accompanying ringside slang, including a prize fight, which go to make up an evening of crazy comedy that is different from the ordinary run of off-repeated shows.

The show is being directed by John Garwood, and he promises a good show with the following characters in the play:

Eddie “Chick” Cowan, a fighter, Ted Welles; A.B. “Hap” Hurley, his manager, Sol Drutz; C. Clinton Blackburn, Susan’s brother, Manny Bernstein; Susan Blackburn-Parker, wife of the swindler, Gini Wood; Major, the Hon. Maurice Fitz-Stanley, a friend, William S. Harrison; Florence Hanley, Judy’s nurse, Helene Clarke; Robert Parker, a swindler, Bud Murray; Marie Minski, Parker’s secretary, Nancy Lang; Judy Parker, she likes “Chick” too, Judy Nutter; Fred Hobart Manager for “Gas House” Duffy, Roy Mergner; John “Gas House” Duffy, a fighter, ? ?, Bruce Elmore.

Names appearing on the American Legion charter from 1919 (at right)

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