Norman McLeod American Legion Post 26 History
On June 6, 1919, former servicemen of WWI met in Plant City's city hall. Existing at the time in Plant City, was an informal community consisting of former World War I Veterans. The decision to organize an American Legion Post resulted from the conclusion of these Veterans that the American Legion was the representative Veterans' organization in this country. That conclusion has been proven true as today the American Legion is the largest wartime Veterans' organization with nearly 13,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. Current national membership is over 2 million and combined with the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion, membership in what is known as The American Legion Family, exceeds 3 million who care about America, Veterans, their families and our nation's youth.
A committee was formed to name the Post and the Post was named "American Legion Post26”. All of Plant City’s servicemen who died in the service of their country, as a mark of respect, were honored when the Post was chartered.
At next meeting, on June 13,1919 a Certificate of Application for a Charter was presented. It was also decided at this meeting to organize a Post and submit immediately. It was decided to name the post Norman McLeod Post 26 in honor of the first Plant City soldier killed in combat during the battle of Marne.
At the next meeting on June 24, 1919 Mr. J.W.Alsonbrook was elected Commander and Mr.Vernon Gallagher was appointed Adjutant. Other officers elected were Lewis G. Carlton Vice Commander, O.E. Watts Finance Officer, V.B. Collins Historian and R.G. Merrin Chaplain. The yearly dues were set at $2.00.
Patriotic Days
MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the Plant City community, the goal of every Veteran to it's last man is to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead of all of the wars of the country; and all graves are decorated on this National Holiday.
ARMISTICE DAY, now called VETERANS' DAY, originally marked the end of fighting in World War I. It is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all Veterans.
Scholarships and Community Projects
American LegionPost 26 sponsors various scholarships for the further education of our children. We also sponsor and financially assist many worthy community projects and programs initiated by the National American Legion.
Join Us and Keep this History Alive