American Legion LCW Post No. 1 - 2006

2006 - 2007 Scrapbook

The American Legion
Leyden-Chiles-Wickersham Post No. 1
Denver, Colorado

Introduction

On March 20, 1919 (just three days after the adjournment of the Legion founding caucus in Paris, France) a group of Denver Veterans organized the Leo Leyden Post of World War I Veterans to honor the first Colorado hero to pay the "supreme sacrifice." This group became the first Legion Post in Colorado and the fifteenth to be chartered in the United States. The charter is dated June 17, 1919 and was signed by thirty members. This charter now hangs in the Post Commander's office.

J. Hunter Wickersham Post # 51 was organized October 18, 1919, at the home of W. S. (Bill) Rathbun with twenty seven charter members. In 1921 and 1922 many small Legion Posts found the going tough and early in 1923 the following six Posts; Proctor, Preston, Hewitt, Steele, Rickard and Sharp abandoned their charters and joined forces with the Marcellus H. Chiles Legion Post # 41 and became known as Columbine Post # 41. In 1925 Post # 41 restored the name Marcellus H. Chiles.

The Leyden, Chiles and Wickersham American Legion Posts consolidated and Leyden-Chiles-Wickersham Post 1 was chartered on August 20, 1931 in loving memory of Private Leo T. Leyden, Captain Marcellus H. Chiles and Lieutenant J. Hunter Wickersham all of whom gave their lives for their country. Read More

Preamble To The Constitution Of The American Legion

We associate ourselves together for the following purposes:

To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and goodwill on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness

2006 - 2007 LCW Post 1 Programs And Activities

2006 Veterans Day Parade

2007 Legion Birthday
More 2007 Birthday Pictures

American Legion Post 1 Donates Flag Pole.
Leyden-Chiles-Wickersham, American Legion Post 1 recently donated a flag pole as well as an American flag to the St. Joseph Veterans Home November 10, 2007. The veterans’ home, operated by the Colorado Catholic Charities organization, that also runs the Samaritan House for the homeless, is located in Globeville, Colorado, next to St. Joseph Polish Roman Catholic Church and School.

Ron Bishop, commander, LCW Post 1, pays tribute as veterans’ home residents raise the American Flag during the dedication ceremony.

40/8 AWARDS DINNER
by Glen Stenson

Voiture 97 of the 40/8 held their annual awards dinner April 21, 2007 at which time awards were given for Lawman of the Year, Hero of the Year, and Voyageur of the Year.
   Lawmen of the year were Corporal Thomas Violette and Officer Kevin Jiminez of the Denver Police Department Division Three. They were honored for displaying their dedication to the law enforcement profession and to the citizens of Denver.
   Edith LeMaster was selected as Hero of the Year for her efforts on behalf of the troops in Iraq. Her son, stationed in Iraq, had informed his mother of the importance of guitars in the off-.duty hours of the troops. Edith took on the mission of securing additional guitars at the suggestion of her son. The result was eighteen guitars were sent to Iraq. Since that first shipment another 12 guitars have been sent to Iraq. Edith was aided in this project by members of LCW Post 1.
   Voyageur of the Year in the Forty&Eight was Mitch Musalek. Mitch was recognized for the many hours of volunteerism to Post 1 and the Forty & Eight. He readily jumps in to help on any type of activity that will better the American Legion.

Post #1 Adjutant Presents Check To Colorado State Nursing Home At Fitzsimons
by Brandt Erickson
Sometimes this job of Adjutant is just plain fun. Thanks to our friends at the Bellco Credit Union, I was able to present a check for $1,000 on January 8 to the Veterans Nursing Home at Fitzsimons. It would have been presented before Christmas, that was the plan, but the snow made that impossible. This money will go into their activities fund and allow for activities for residents outside of the home.
Sometimes someone might donate Rockies tickets to the home. Sounds simple, pack them up and take them to the game. Not that easy. It costs money to run their big van, plus two staff members must go with them and they must be paid. We here at Post #1 are grateful to Bellco Credit Union for providing these funds to our brothers at the Veterans Nursing Home. Next time I need the services of a credit union, I know where I’ll go.

American Legion Post #1 Sends Guitars To The Marines In Remoldi, Iraq
by Brandt Erickson, Post #1 Adjutant
   A couple of months ago I got a call from the mother of a Marine over in Iraq. Her son asked her if she could send them about six guitars, as their off time was very boring, not much to do. She said she could not afford this as her income was limited. I told her that I would see what I could do.
   I got in touch with Pete Vriesenga of the Denver Musicians Union. This man really stepped up to the plate. He got 10 guitars donated; all but two of them are brand new. The Denver Folklore Center, 1893 S. Pearl St., Denver, CO 80210, donated two of them. If I ever need a musical instrument, I now know where I’ll go; I hope all Legion members will keep them in mind.
   On August 9, we shipped the guitars to Iraq. Post 1 paid the shipping charges. They were shipped to the Marine 114th Alpha Battery 1st Platoon. I have been told that when they get rotated out, the guitars will go to their relief unit. This is what the American Legion is all about, we do make a difference.

Eddy Smith Honored With Extraordinary Service Award
Leyden-Chiles-Wickersham Post 1, at our January 24, 2006 meeting, established the Eddy Smith Extraordinary Service Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize for perpetuity Legionnaires who have served our Post and veterans, not for years, but rather decades. Read more.

Leon Rittenhouse Receives Certificate of Appreciation
Leon Rittenhouse received a Certificate of Appreciation for his contributions to our Boys State program. A program giving our young people an opportunity to learn about our democratic governmental institutions by participating in the offices and functions of our state; a hands-on method of teaching fundamental attributes of self government.
Thanks Leon.

Adjutant Presents Check To Colorado State Nursing Home
Post #1 Adjutant Brandt Erickson presents check for $2,455.32 to Mike Gilbert (a resident) and Melissa Blair (Activities Director) at the Colorado State Nursing Home at Fitzsimons. $1,014 of that came from Post #1’s Auction/Sale held on February 19th, including a $304 donation from our SAL.

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