Local American Legion to host charity fish fry

By Joshua Wolonowski | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The American Legion will host a Charity Fish Fry to raise money for a local disabled veteran.

The Fish Fry will consist of live entertainment, 50/50 drawings, and an auction.

Captain Ski will provide the fish along with coleslaw, hush puppies and baked beans on Sunday, April 20.

Even though the American Legion is member-oriented, locals are welcome to come discover what the Legion has to offer.

Tommy Hardy, a bartender at the Legion said, “If you haven’t discovered the legion you need to; it has a great atmosphere.”

Here in St. Augustine locals can be visitors to Post 37.

“Those that come in here should treat the American Legion with respect because they are guests in the building,” a Sons of the American Legion member said. “The American Legion is a good organization that helps veterans and their families.”

To become a member of the American Legion one must fit the criteria that Congress has set forth as periods of time that would be considered.

Once you walk in the door you will see a quote on the wall that says, “It’s not the amount you pay to be a member, but the price you paid to be eligible.”

The building where the American Legion stands, was built by Charles F. Hamblen, a friend of Henry Flagler, who purchased the land and built the three-story house in 1886.

Hamblen passed away five years after the completion of the house, leaving the building in a trust to be kept as a men’s club.

In 1940 the American Legion took over the building, leasing it from the trust.

The American Legion posts started out in Paris, France, after WWI. These posts were opened for servicemen so that they had a place to go and call home.

After 1919 these posts were brought to the United States.

In St. Johns County there are four posts: Post 37 St. Augustine, Post 102 Hastings, Post 194 St. Augustine West, and Post 233 Palm Valley.

Post 37 St. Augustine, was the first post to in the Nation to have a female commander, Miss Daisy R. Westerland, from 1932-1934.

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