Veterans Service Organizations
1943 USO Legion benefit framed poster promoting "All Star Wedding" with cast of Story City business men.
Veteran service organizations have been a part of the Story City community for over 100 years. The Story City American Legion Post #59 formed after WWI on May 19, 1919, with nearly 100 charter members. "Focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Over the years, the Legion has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans and produced many important programs for children and youth."
The local Post #59 was active during WWII especially in assisting with civilian defense activities. In July 1942 when T.M. Holm became the new commander of Post #59, he "called for renewed energy on the part of every member providing a 100% cooperation with Civilian Defense and Governmental agencies in the many requests directed to the Legion at this time."
On June 10, 1943 the local Legion Post sponsored a USO benefit play titled "The All Start Wedding." It was an all male cast made up of Story City businessmen. Half of the proceeds went to the USO and half to the Legion. It was a complete success as the seats were all filled at the Story Theater and a another houseful waited outside for a second performance according to the Herald.
The local Legion Post also helped with the various scrap drives during the war. Including one for old paint brushes and another one for old phonograph records to be donated to the "Records for Our Fighting Men" cause. A state-wide drive sponsored by the Legionnaires called the "Jalopy Round-Up" was a drive to get old cars turned in for scrap. Read the Story City Herald articles below to learn more about all the Story City Legion did during WWII.
The local Post #59 was active during WWII especially in assisting with civilian defense activities. In July 1942 when T.M. Holm became the new commander of Post #59, he "called for renewed energy on the part of every member providing a 100% cooperation with Civilian Defense and Governmental agencies in the many requests directed to the Legion at this time."
On June 10, 1943 the local Legion Post sponsored a USO benefit play titled "The All Start Wedding." It was an all male cast made up of Story City businessmen. Half of the proceeds went to the USO and half to the Legion. It was a complete success as the seats were all filled at the Story Theater and a another houseful waited outside for a second performance according to the Herald.
The local Legion Post also helped with the various scrap drives during the war. Including one for old paint brushes and another one for old phonograph records to be donated to the "Records for Our Fighting Men" cause. A state-wide drive sponsored by the Legionnaires called the "Jalopy Round-Up" was a drive to get old cars turned in for scrap. Read the Story City Herald articles below to learn more about all the Story City Legion did during WWII.
Veterans of Foreign Wars - Story City Posts
Story City Post No. 5357 Veterans of Foreign Wars charter document established January 8, 1946.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars organization got their start in 1899 when the American Veterans of Foreign Service (Columbus, Ohio) and the National Society of the Army of the Philippines (Denver, Colorado) were organized to secure rights and benefits for veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippines War (1899-1902). These two organizations merged in 1914, creating the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. The VFW was chartered by Congress in 1936.
On October 10, 1940, a new Veterans of Foreign Wars post, Allied Post 1870, was formed. The post had a membership of 18 from Story City, Jewell, Ellsworth, and Radcliffe. The post sold poppy flowers, the proceeds of which went to humanitarian and philanthropic purposes of veteran care, child welfare, and the assistance of disabled veterans. During the war the post offered to mail a service flag to each family in the community with someone serving in the military.
Following WWII a new VFW post was formed in Story City on January 8, 1946 with 115 charter members. It was know as Story City Post No. 5357. Edgar Ose was elected as the first commander.
On October 10, 1940, a new Veterans of Foreign Wars post, Allied Post 1870, was formed. The post had a membership of 18 from Story City, Jewell, Ellsworth, and Radcliffe. The post sold poppy flowers, the proceeds of which went to humanitarian and philanthropic purposes of veteran care, child welfare, and the assistance of disabled veterans. During the war the post offered to mail a service flag to each family in the community with someone serving in the military.
Following WWII a new VFW post was formed in Story City on January 8, 1946 with 115 charter members. It was know as Story City Post No. 5357. Edgar Ose was elected as the first commander.
Story City Veterans Service, Inc.
Photo of Veterans Service building in downtown Story City from the 1948 Story City Herald Panorama Book.
The local Legion and VFW posts worked together to form the Story City Veterans Service, Inc. By June of 1946 the Legion and the VFW were making plans to secure a new and more spacious building to house both of the organizations. Their original plan was to build a new two-story building on Broad St. with funds solicited from the veterans and the public. However, by March of 1947 it was announced in the Herald that the Veterans Service organization had purchased the Tokheim produce building that was located just west of the Northwestern Depot. At the cost of $8,500 it was considerably less expensive than building a new structure. Funds were not needed to be solicited from the public.
This cooperative organization of veterans was formed for the express purpose of providing a home for the Legion and VFW. It was empowered to buy, build, and remodel; conduct money raising projects, and actively participate in other projects for community improvement. Responsible for the first year's operation of the Story City Veterans Service, Inc. were Verne Wiggins, chairman of the Veterans Service committee; Richard Munsen, commander of the American Legion; and Roy Gaard, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
This cooperative organization of veterans was formed for the express purpose of providing a home for the Legion and VFW. It was empowered to buy, build, and remodel; conduct money raising projects, and actively participate in other projects for community improvement. Responsible for the first year's operation of the Story City Veterans Service, Inc. were Verne Wiggins, chairman of the Veterans Service committee; Richard Munsen, commander of the American Legion; and Roy Gaard, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Leadership of the Story City Veterans Service, Inc. Photo from the 1948 Story City Herald Panorama Book.
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The organization held several events in the late 1940s, including a horse show, a football game between the high school team and alumni, and a variety show. These events were fundraisers for the Veterans Service and the other organizations that co-sponsored the events. In December 1947 it was announced that the group had set up a Christmas and Charity Fund to be primarily used for the purchase and distribution of Christmas baskets to those in need.
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Sources
The American Legion History (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.legion.org/history
Olson, P.A., ed. Panorama of Forty Three Years as a Country Editor, Historical Supplement Story City Herald. Story City: Story City Herald, 1948. Print.
Story City Herald Newspaper, available through the Digital Archives of the Bertha Bartlett Public Library. Retrieved from http://berthabartlett.advantage-preservation.com/.
Veterans of Foreign Wars - About Us (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.vfw.org/about-us
The American Legion History (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.legion.org/history
Olson, P.A., ed. Panorama of Forty Three Years as a Country Editor, Historical Supplement Story City Herald. Story City: Story City Herald, 1948. Print.
Story City Herald Newspaper, available through the Digital Archives of the Bertha Bartlett Public Library. Retrieved from http://berthabartlett.advantage-preservation.com/.
Veterans of Foreign Wars - About Us (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.vfw.org/about-us
