THE AMERICAN LEGION -Jack Henry Post #1, Anchorage, Alaska

November 2009

Alaska Public Radio News Spot � Loussac Librarry Exhibit/Interview of Jim Grant and Scott Hardon

KSKA Public Radio � Metro News Spots � American Legion Post #1 Celebrates 90 Years
Listen to an historical interviews of American Legion Post #1 on KSKA Public Radio and APRN by clicking on either of the above links, then click on Download Audio or "play arrow" to listen to the radio interviews.

JACK HENRY POST #1 turned 90 years old this year!
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.

If you missed this day of rememberance stay tuned. We will be posting information and pictures soon.

90th Anniversary Commemorative Medallion and $1 Coin

HISTORY OF JACK HENRY POST #1
Submitted by Scott Hardon, Post Historian. Please use the link in the lower, far left column to contact the Historian with any questions or historical information by clicking on his name.

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.

1919 Minutes

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:

I. H. Fleischman

Jack Sutherland

Elwyn Swetmann

John L. Hughes

John Sultan

Walter Batachi

Arthur H. Marsh

John Cook

Henry Dohrmann

John Reichart

George D. Vlahor

Variluis Plackas

James J. Delaney

Robert H. Romig

Walter J. Delaney

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:

Isaac H. Fleischman (Chairman)

Jack Sutherland (First Vice)

John L. Hughes (Second Vice)

Henry C Dohrmann (Secretary)

Walter L. Batachi (Treasurer)

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).

1921 Minutes

Now it's 2009 and Jack Henry Post #1 is has celebrated it's 90th Anniversary. This is an exciting milestone for
Jack Henry Post 1, of Anchorage, Alaska.

Respectfully submitted,

Scott Hardon
Historian, Jack Henry Post #1