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Welcome to
American Legion Post 532 Hayesville, NC

Welcome to
American Legion Post 532 Hayesville, NC

HISTORY

History of American Legion

 The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic  veterans organization. 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. Today, membership stands at over 2.4  million in 14,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55  departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of  Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines. 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. Following is a chronology of  significant dates in Legion history: 


History of Post 177 & Post 532

  Hayesville’s First American legion Post, named after Robert Napoleon Roach, who was killed in action on October 22, 1918 during WW I in France. He is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial in France.  On July 30, 1927, a meeting was held for the purpose of forming a Post of the American Legion. All men that served any time during the World War at home or abroad being eligible, were invited to be present.  An application for a Charter was filled by the following; Bascom Neal Haigler, George B. Thompson, Robert M. Tiger, Roy Smart, Will Taylor, Bynum Penland, Carl Parker, Allen Bell, A.B. Ledford, Carmen Anderson, Wayne Anderson, Dent Nelson, Gad Nelson and Walter Burch on July 30, and accepted by the national organization on August 2, 1927.  At the August 26, 1927 meeting the first officers were elected; Post Commander-Bascom Neal Haigler, 1st vice Commander-George B. Thompson, 2nd Vice Commander-Will Taylor, Adjutant-Allen J. Bell, Finance Officer-Marvin Alexander, Chaplain-Roy Smart, Historian-Claude C. Long, Sgt-at-Arms-Henderson Setzer.  In 1936/37, the Post was no longer active. On August 22, 1940, a group of ex-servicemen got together to reorganize the Bob Roach Post 177. The Commander- Arthur Jones, Vice Commander-J.N. Alexander, Adjutant-Allen J. Bell.  On Saturday October 19, 1946, The War Memorial on the Hayesville Square, was dedicated to those who gave their lives in the two World Wars. The Commander, Vernon F. Martin, of the Bob Roach American legion Post 177, conducted the ceremony.  The black draped stone was unveiled while the Legion Boys Choir sang “My Buddy” with piano accompaniment by Mrs. C.E. Standbridge.  The American Legion Charter for the Bob Roach Post 177 was cancelled two years later in October 1948.  In summer of 2008, Veterans of Clay County, applied for a Charter to form a new American Legion Post in Hayesville, to be named after George Lee. Mr. Lee passed in December 2008, he was a prominent Clay County resident, a World War II Veteran and recipient of a Purple Heart. He had also been a member of the original Bob Roach Post 177.  On January 17, 2009, an American Legion Charter was presented, establishing the George Lee American Legion Post 532  

Contact Us

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American Legion Post 532

25 Riverside Cir, Hayesville, North Carolina 28904, United States

MEETINGS

  • LAST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH 6:00 PM 


  • MAILING ADDRESS
  • AMERICAN LEGION POST 532
  • P.O. BOX 22
  • HAYESVILLE, NC 28904


Video

Check out this great video

A TRIBUTE TO OUR HONOR GUARD

   When we pay tribute to our veterans, we want to make sure that it is done in a proper military manner. I mean: let us give our veterans not only a tribute but individual recognition for his or her service to their country, and for some it may have been the ultimate sacrifice. Let us honor them the way they honored their country, and to never forget those who did not come home. For some American Legion members, the Honor Guard could be the gray area that is not quite clear. The Honor Guard of American Legion Post 155 here in Crystal River, Fla., was formed well over 30 years ago by a small group of dedicated World War II Legionnaires who saw the need for providing military honors for their fellow veterans. It is doubtful that those visionaries could have imagined how the Honor Guard they created would one day evolve into the proficient and highly skilled organization that it is today. Our reputation for providing dignified services for our fellow veterans has become widely recognized throughout our community and beyond. They do what we all should be doing - honoring our veterans for their service, as well as those who are still serving this great country we live in. For without their service, where would we be? Let me just say that the Honor Guard of American Legion Post 155, and the Honor Guards all over the United States, will not forget. The Honor Guard has a wonderful history of those who served long ago, and of those who are serving now. The honor they bring to the veterans who have been called to other duties can never be surpassed. The thankful look on the families' faces, those who are both young and old, and those who are the loved one's immediate family. They come from all walks of life, and are of different nationalities, races and creeds, but the one fact they all share is that their loved one was a veteran. I think that the feeling is always there to answer the call when needed; and we are dedicated to serve those who have served before us and to be there for their families, even on a very short notice. It is an honored tradition, and only those who feel a special calling choose to serve in this capacity. It seems that sometimes we overlook some small part of the ceremony, but only we know what it may be. I guess it comes from wanting the family to be completely satisfied and that we did everything we could to honor their loved one. The smiles, the tears, a final hug and the final words of many thanks are enough for us to continue without the least hesitation. The service to honor the veteran includes a personal reading for all veterans, a prayer suitable for all denominations, the rifle squad firing a three-round volley with their weapons, and finally Taps by our bugler. At this conclusion, the Veterans Burial Flag is folded in the proper military manner, and then presented to the next of kin or designated recipient. It is now we know that we have finished honoring the veteran, and the day is done. In addition to being an Honor Guard member, you may also serve on the Color Guard, and in doing so you will be asked to post the national colors along with the Legion's colors to all who may require this honorable tradition. In my personal opinion, I think our national colors are the most beautiful in the entire world, and when I see our flag flying in the breeze I truly feel proud to an American. For God and Country,