March 15, 1919. Paris, France.
The dust and chaos of the Great War was settling. The final toll in lives and of an entire generation continued. Millions of servicemen from several countries waited for their orders to return home and put the horrors of the last five years behind them. For some, it awakened a new part of their life. One lacking the camaraderie and sense of belonging they’d grown accustomed to through shared trials fighting across the fields of France. Some decided to take actions on their own. A thousand men from the American Expeditionary Force banded together and formed the American Legion. An organization for the veterans of the Great War that was eventually chartered by Congress in September of the same year.
Among the founding members were the revered Sgt. Alvin York and Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. Since inception, 11 United States presidents have been members, along with countless recognizable military names, from flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker to General George Patton. Throw in some top-tier celebrities like Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable and the pot keeps thickening.
In the one hundred years since, men and women from every generation have called the Legion home. What separates the Legion from the Veterans of Foreign Wars is a matter of experience. Legionnaires are not required to have fought in combat or even deployed. So long as they have the magical DD-214 stating they served during a period of war they qualify for membership.
There is a sense of belonging, of fellowship, many veterans fail to develop once they hang up their uniforms for the last time. I confess to having avoided this group for years. Growing up the son of a Vietnam veteran Marine, all I remembered was listening to angry men talk about their experiences. I knew this wasn’t what I wanted. Flash forward a few decades and, with more than few combat tours under my belt, I was convinced to head on down to American Legion Post 116 on Johnson Pond Road for a drink and the fish fry.
Turns out I had been wrong. Well, maybe not wrong, but times had certainly changed. After chowing down, we headed over for a beer and the first thing I heard was a Marine ribbing an Air Force vet and I knew this was what I was missing.
Post 116, nestled amongst the ever-growing housing developments and ponds, has been a haven for returning soldiers, their spouses, and even their sons and daughters for one hundred years. This community staple stems from humble beginnings. The original charter included just 15 members. The community banded together to raise supplies and materials for the Legionnaires to construct the first post in Fuquay, a log cabin on what is now Main Street.
The post moved a few decades later to Johnson Pond Road and has called the area home ever since. Growing with new members in the years following World War II, the Fuquay Legionnaires set up home in the Beale Johnson House and stayed there for a few decades. They would eventually move across the street and make the waterside view over Johnson Pond a permanent residence. Today the post consists of a handful of buildings under the watchful gaze of the now privately owned Beale Johnson House.
There have been plenty of ups and downs over the years. Stop in for a drink in the rec room and you’ll hear tales of a previous commander during the 1950s running a brothel out of the headquarters. Now, I know what you’re thinking, and you might be right, but there’s no shame in the current senior members and you just can’t change history.
A lot has changed over the past century. Members come and go and, as Wake County continues with its massive population spike and growth, Post 116 now lays claim to the largest post in North Carolina. That part isn’t much of a story considering Wake County has just under 100,000 veterans living in it.
What sets the Legion apart from other organizations is its dedication to the nation and to our communities. Post 116 runs an expansive set of programs to not only benefit member families, but to enrich Fuquay and the surrounding towns. Glance around and there’s a good chance you’ll see the post’s infamous deuce and a half rumbling in a parade or heading to an event.
While parades, color guards, Christmas tree sales, and fish fries are all well and fine and go far in integrating veterans and their families into both the Legion community and the town, the ultimate mission of the American Legion is to ‘enhance the well-being of America’s veteran, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.’
Powerful words with clear intent. The American Legion celebrates the past through building and maintaining a legacy of the future. Building upon the selfless service all veterans exhibit during their time in uniform, Legionnaires are encouraged to continue placing the needs of others first. Through this, they are able to strengthen bonds, help those in need, and leave a lasting impression on future generations.
Post 116 embodies this spirit fully. The color guard is highly requested for various events. Community figureheads are active, whether it is the fire chief judging the annual chili cookoff contest or former mayors on the roll. Post 116 runs numerous programs for youth, involving the entire family. Scholarships are given each year to deserving students ready for college. Ham radio enthusiasts tinker away in the back building.
Stepping into the post feels almost like home. Oh sure, you might not know most of the people there, but they are all welcoming and eager to answer questions and accept you into the family. One hundred years is a long time for any organization and, though the standard bearers come and go, the one constant is knowing the men and women surrounding you have all shared an experience so few Americans have endured.
So, to those who have supported Post 116 over the past hundred years, those who are immortalized in name and deed, the children who scamper around underfoot pretending to listen to stories from days long past, and to those who undertake endeavors to ensure the American Legion lasts well into the future, I tip my hat and offer a heartfelt salute.
Veterans and sons or daughters who qualify and are interested need only swing by the rec room and speak with the bartender. All have the ability to either get you a membership application or point you in the right direction. Not ready for that? No problem. Take a look around the property and discover some of the programs and events the Post has. Something is bound to catch your eye.
Here’s to the next hundred years. See you there.
To learn more about the American Legion organization you can go to: https://www.legion.org/
For Post 116 specific information, visit: https://alpost116nc.org/
Or give them a follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALPost116.
