Post History
On February 8th, 1952, six former servicemen met in the high school auditorium. Existing at the time in Richmond County was an informal community consisting of former World War I, World War II, and Korean 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.
At the first meeting Mr. William Barnes was elected temporary Chairman and Mr. Edward A. Deslandes temporary Secretary. Decision was made by the attending Veterans to file an application for an American Legion Post.
At next meeting, a Certificate of Application for a Charter was presented. It was also decided at this meeting to organize a Post as soon as eighty-five servicemen of Richmond County had indicated their desire to join the Post..
A committee was formed to name the Post and the Post was named "Carter Burdell Hagler American Legion Post 178”. All servicemen who died in the service of their country, as a mark of respect, were honored when the Post was chartered.
Permanent organization was affected at the next meeting which time permanent officers were elected. The first officers of American Legion Post were: Commander: Mr. William Barnes, Adjutant: Mr. Edward A. Deslandes , Finance Officer: Mr. Joseph T. Rice Sr., Sr. Vice Commander: Dewey Ivey, Jr. Vice Commander: Patrick A. O'Connor, Sgt-At-Arms: Mr. Jon B. Barkley, etc.
Affiliated Organizations
A Women's Auxiliary of American Legion Post 178 was formed on December 12th, 1953. The Legion has every reason to be proud of it's Auxiliary. Auxiliary members are always anxious and willing to co-operate in every Legion activity.
A Sons of the Legion for American Legion Post 178 was formed on January 27th, 1988. The Legion has every reason to be proud of it's Sons of Legion unit, which gained statewide recognition because of it's programs of service.
Patriotic Days
MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the Richmond County 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. It is organized by the 11th District American Legion in Augusta, GA. Annually the Post and the district sponsored the Armistice Day Parade. An important tradition was established when the Post led in the memorial exercises at 11 o'clock on the morning of November 11, marking the exact hour of the cessation of hostility on the war fronts.
Registration Of Graves
Since it's inception American Legion Post 178 has been a leader in this community in the area of graves registration; which has been incorporated by all the American Legion Posts in Richmond County. Graves Registration and Memorials Records, marks and decorates graves of deceased veterans, renders service and comfort to bereaved families, and provides American Legion military funeral honors when requested.
Scholarships and Community Projects
American LegionPost 178 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 and the Department of Georgia American Legion.
Join Us and Keep this History Alive
