Post History
In July of 1919, four former servicemen met at the Elks Lodge (now old Calamity Jane’s) to sign and file an application for an American Legion Post. Existing at the time in Moscow, was a community consisting of former World War I Veterans. At this meeting Mr. M. C. Bailey was elected temporary Chairman and Mr. William Lee temporary Secretary, there were two additional names on the application that are not legible. The requirements were to have 15 servicemembers sign on to this. A committee was formed to name the Post and the Post was originally named "American Legion Latah Post 6”. All of Moscow’s servicemen who died in the service of their country, as a mark of respect, were honored when the Post was chartered. The application was approved by the National Executive Committee and signed by the Department Adjutant on July 11, 1919, followed by the Idaho Secretary of State on July 15, 1919.
In 1924, the Post applied for a Permanent Charter in which the organization changed its name to “Dudley Loomis Post 6”. The Charter application required names and positions of all officers, plus a “yes” or “no” to six Post Committees which were Post Activities and Welfare, Americanism and Americanization, Finance, Resolutions and Legal Committee, Beneficial Legislation, and Membership and Publicity. The Permanent Charter was signed by the Department Adjutant on April 1, 1924.
December 9, 1937, the Post signed a 25-year lease with the city for our present location at 317 S Howard St. In 1938 the construction of building began. The Adjutant at the time absconded with records and most of the money the Post had. Scouting came to the Post, which consisted of Boy Scout Troop and Pack 5323. In May 1939, the Post bought a quarter section of timberland on Moscow Mountain that was to be used for service to the community and for conservation for $1.00 from Frank and Pearl Robinson.
January 23, 1942, an Application for Supplemental Charter was submitted to Department, and was issued on February 3, 1942. It served as a USO for many years as well as a place for groups to meet. On April 8, 1949, the Post signed a 99-year lease with the city. The main hall was rented by retailers for many years. Meetings were held in the basement. In 1954, and addition was added at the west end of the cabin and the land subsequently backfilled around it.
Fast forward to the 1980s. A decision was made to take two cuts off the timberland to sell in 1988. The following year, the timberland was sold. Our baseball program was also pushed out to the community, where it remained until 2020.
In 2020 through 2022, our Post has had major repairs and renovations done to bring it up to code and update equipment. We are supporting all 4 pillars of the American Legion. We are out in the community and trying to bring in more Veterans, not just as members, but also assist those who need help. We are partnering with community members who have programs in place for Veterans and offer our Post home to the public for use. Our baseball program is back at the Post. We have Cub Scout Pack and a Girl Scout troop who meet regularly. They participate in flag retirements and other programs if they are available.
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.
Patriotic Days
MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the Mosocw 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. Annually the Post sponsored the Armistice Day Ceremony. 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 6 has been a leader in this community in the area of graves registration; which has been incorporated by all the American Legion Posts in Latah County. Grave Registration enables all interested parties to locate the site of the grave of each Veteran.
Scholarships and Community Projects
American LegionPost --- 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.
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