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To See Full Post #1 Calendar below, scroll downward. Post #1 Mtg: E-Board Mtg: Unit Mtg: 1st Thursday of the Month @ S.A.L. Mtg:
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Commander:
James R. Grant
1st Vice Commander:
John Harrington
2nd Vice Commander:
Glenda Gleason
Adjutant:
Greg Kowatch
Finance Officer:
Harlan Poirier
Service Officer:
Robert Tumacder
Chaplin:
Dave Mazack
S.A.L Commander:
Ralph Ahqupuk
Historian:
Siefried Kirchner
Sgt-at-Arms:
Beth Ipson
Executive Committee:
3rd Yr - Mark Berg
2nd Yr - Kevin French
1st Yr - Ray Untiet
Unit President:
Peggy Bateman
Unit 1st V. P.:
Melanie Edwards
Unit 2nd V. P.:
Barby Rice
Unit Treasurer:
Barb Thaman
Secretary:
Jill Pawson
Unit Historian:
Wenda Sudduth
Unit Sgt-at-Arms:
Connie Christianson
Unit Chaplain:
Katie McClain
Unit Executive Board:
Aurora Courtney
Lori FitzSimons
Marilyn Porter
Unit Trustees:
Lavonne Collier
Lori FitzSimons
Kelly Harrington
Newsletter Editors:
Aurora Courtney
Leslie Howard
Club Manager:
Glenda Gleason
Webmaster:
Marlene CloudeSites of Interest
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AM. LEGION NATIONAL HOMEPAGE |
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AK DEPT., THE AMERICAN LEGION |
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MY VETWORK |
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DEPT. OF VETERAN'S AFFAIRS |
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AK VETERANS MUSEUM |
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POST 3, KETCHIKAN |
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POST 10, BETHEL |
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POST 33, PETERS CREEK |
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POST 35, SUSITNA VALLEY |
90th ANNIVERSARY
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Listen to an historical interviews of American Legion Post #1 on KSKA Public Radio and APRN by clicking on the above links, then click on Download Audio or "play arrow" to listen to the radio interviews.
Click here to see original Post Charter!
Our 90th Anniversary event on September 19th was an unqualified success.
American Legion Jack Henry Post 1 - 90th Anniversary Commemorative Medallion
Jack Henry Post #1 opened to the public at 11:00 am on September 19th and was followed by posting of the Colors by the West Anchorage High School JRAFROTC, the singing of the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. There was an anniversary ceremony at 1:00 pm.
90th Anniversary Commemorative Medallion and $1 Coin
The history of American Legion Jack Henry Post #1 starts at the end of the Great War (WWI). The returning veterans started forming small clubs and hosting reunions throughout the country.
Jack Henry Post #1's history starts in the Spring of 1919 when it was suggested by Jack Sutherland that a veteran's group be formed. Men like Lyle Larson, Elwyn Swetmann, Walter Blanton, and John L. Hughes all took this call and started spreading the word. One June 1, 1919, a meeting was held at the old Robert's Hall in Anchorage, which was at the corner of 4th & C Streets. More than thirty (30) veterans assembled, and after the appointment of a chairman, it was decided to organize a veteran's club here in Alaska.
In August of 1919, there was a meeting held to finalize the formation of the American Legion and an invitation went out to all local veteran's clubs to join. So, on August 20th of 1919, Anchorage made it's application for membership. Fifteen (15) men signed this original application. These men were:
These men unanimously agreed/decided, based on the recommendation of a late comrade, to name the Post after John "Jack" Henry. Jack Henry was the first man from Anchorage to be killed in action in the Cierges Woods, in France, nearly a year before the Meuse-Argonne offensive. So the newly named Jack Henry Post #1 application was signed and sent to Headquarters American Legion, which was then located in New York City.
Word came on September 17, 1919 that the charter had been approved and returned to Anchorage. The first official general membership meeting was held on Friday, September 19, 1919 at 2000 hours at the local Moose Hall. Thirty-three (33) men showed up for that meeting. Elections for Officers was held and the Charter was signed/ratified. The original officers were:
Jack Henry Post #1 was also designated as Alaska's Department Headquarters at this time. A special distinction was that on October 14th of 1920, Jack Henry Post #1 had it's first female member join the organization. She was Miss Francis Kolb. (Note: The information above was retrieved from the original Post's minutes from 1919 to 1921).
Now it's 2009 and Jack Henry Post #1 is has celebrated it's 90th Anniversary. This is an exciting milestone for Respectfully submitted,
Scott Hardon BACK TO THE FUTURE
Submitted by Scott Hardon, past Post Historian.
1919 Minutes
1921 Minutes
Jack Henry Post 1, of Anchorage, Alaska.
Historian, Jack Henry Post #1
Glen Chambers, Commander 1950 and Jim Grant, Commander 2009
enjoying the Past Commanders' Dinner
Name That Picture Night
Commander, Jim Grant with Gerbert Whitehead, longest Post member - 64 years
Post Officers of 1949
Name That Picture Night
