History of Munster Post 16
Dan Buksa
The "War to End All Wars" finally ended on the 11th day of the
11th month of the year of Our Lord, 1918. The American Dough boys
who "went over there" started coming home. But for many of the
returning veterans, their personal war was to continue. America was
not ready to care for their grievous wounds, so it was up to the
vets to take care of each other. The American Legion was created in
Paris, France by the troops awaiting transport back to the states.
Hammond attorney Floyd Murray was one of those men. With
determination and perseverance, Murray organized the first American Legion
Post in Lake County, Hammond Post 16, and Indiana's First District,
which encompassed Lake County. On July 5, 1919, The American Legion
issued a charter to Hammond Post 16.
The early years for the veteran's organization was tough going. Most
veterans wanted to forget the horrors they experienced in the
European trenches and get on with their lives. The Post's first few
meetings were held in Murray's Hohman Avenue law office. Eventually,
the Post started meeting in a room at the Hammond Chamber of
Commerce's building. By 1925, the membership of the Post had reached
only 16 members. Rehabilitation of their war comrades was the main
focus of the member's activities.
Eventually, membership began to grow. The Post was able to purchase
a permanent building to call its home. In 1937, the Post dedicated
the building at 127 State Street in Hammond as the Post Home. The
conclusion of the Second World War saw the ranks of the Legion
swell. The Post quickly outgrew the State Street building and
secured a larger headquarters at 6634 Calumet Avenue. This building
was dedicated as the new Post Home in 1950.
During the Post's early years, the WWI generation set the standards
for governance and hospitality. The motto "The Post Where
Hospitality is Host" was adopted. A war memorial was dedicated in
Harrison Park on Hohman Avenue in Hammond in 1923. Maintained by the
Post members with the assistance of the Ladies Auxiliary, the
memorial served as a backdrop for the Post's annual Memorial Day and
Veteran's Day observances. These moving observances attracted
several other Legion posts, a VFW post, local politicians and other
dignitaries as well as members of the community, and were one of the
highlights of each year.
Membership in Post 16 peaked in the 1950's with the entry of WWII
and Korean War vets into the ranks of the Legion. Time began to take
its toll on the WWI veterans, and the WWII vets began to assume
leadership roles in the Post. Like most veterans’ organizations,
membership is declining today, with the passing of the WWII veterans
and a smaller pool of younger veterans eligible to join.
Post 16 also began to experience a decline in
membership. Older members were unable to accomplish as much as in
the past. Bingo went by
the wayside and as a result Post 16 lost a major source of income.
Members began meeting at Munster Town Hall on September 14,
2010. A decision was made by the membership to sell the Post
building, which was accomplished on February 14, 2011.
The Post's leadership embarked upon a major strategic re-branding
initiative. The major aspect of this campaign was to move the Post
to Munster, Indiana and recruit new members in that town, which did
not have an American Legion Post. The Post was granted a new charter
in Munster in the fourth quarter of 2011. Although without a
building, the Post is still able to meet at the Munster Town Hall,
and remains active in both the community as well as Children & Youth
activities, such as the American Legion High School Oratorical
Scholarship Competition, the Flag Education program and Boy Scouts.
With a renewed and refreshed vision, the Post in reinvigorated as it
approached its Centennial Anniversary.
Several younger veterans have assumed leadership roles and have
instituted changes in the Post, such as this web site. At close of
books in June 2016, membership stood at 139 with members
continuing to provide service to their community, state and nation.
Regular business meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each
month, along with a number of social events during the course of the
year, including the Legion Birthday Party each March and a Christmas
party in December. The Post also conducts a solemn flag disposal
ceremony in June or July.
All qualified veterans are encouraged and invited to become members
of Post 16 as our history moves along into the 21st Century.
There is also an active unit of the American Legion Ladies
Auxiliary at the Post. The ladies supervise the annual Poppy Day
event, assist with the Memorial Day observance, and the various
social events. There is also a squadron of the Sons of the American
Legion (SAL).
CHARTER MEMBERS OF AMERICAN LEGION HAMMOND POST 16
Floyd R. Murray, Founder and 1st Commander
J. A. Graham
John Laws
Onis O. Melton
Roy F. Holly
Joe W. Todd
Patrick Schloer
Ray Seely
W. E. Price
William E. Nichols
Paul Ramthum
George Herner
Ed J. Knorzer
Eric Lund
Clarence Jones
John Hoess
Emry Gustavson
Fred W. Mallon
E. F. Lott
J. W. Acton
Edward Fredericks
William J. Hastings
Henry C. Cleveland
Phillip Greenwald
J. A. Chevigny
Morris Iddings
Chas. Enswerler
Harry Miller
Arthur Rothman
A. W. Loyd
