American Legion Post 272 History
Way back in 1919, the American Legion got its start in Linglestown. In fact, before the end of World War I there was much talk throughout the nation about starting a post-war veterans organization. These conversations were occurring in the village of Linglestown as well. From these conversations among the good people of Linglestown, a group of patriots applied for a temporary Legion Charter on August 27, 1919. The Charter was issued 12 days later.
On October 24, 1919, a permanant Charter was issued; and the organization was known as the Linglestown American Legion Post 272. The Post had fifteen charter members. On February 7, 1922, the name of the Post was changed to the Robert H. Hoke American Legion Post 272 in memory of the first Linglestown man Killed in World War I.
In 1924, a Ladies' Auxiliary to Post 272 was formed with eighteen charter members. At the time of chartering, Linglestown was the smallest community in the State of Pennsylvania to support an American Legion Post and a Ladies Auxiliary. In 1954, a Junior Auxiliray was formed, and in 1958 a Sons' of the American Legion Squadron was formed.
When the first Legion Post Charter was issued, there was not a Legion Home, instead the charter members and those that followed met in the homes of the members until December of 1922. At that time the meetings were held in the Union Chapel on the northern hill overlooking the villiage of Linglestown. This chapel later became the official home of the Legion Post in August of 1931. The Legion called the former Chapel building home until they moved into the current Legion Home located along Mountain Road about a mile south of Linglestown.
The decision to organize an American Legion Post resulted from the conclusion that the American Legion was the best and most representative Veterans' organization in the country. That conclusion has been proven true as today the American Legion is the largest wartime Veterans' organization with nearly 15,000 local Posts throughout America and over 3 million members who care about America, Veterans, their families and our nation's youth.
Patriotic Days
MEMORIAL DAY has always been an important occasion in this community. The goal of every Veteran 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. Annually the Post sponsors the Memorial Day Parade.
Memorial Flags for Graves of Vets
Since it's inception American Legion Post 272 has been a leader in the area of placing Flags on the graves of our Veterans. The placing of Grave Flags enables all interested parties to locate the sites of the graves of our Veterans. American Legion Post 272 is proud of our service work in this important endeavor. Each year, active members of Post 272 place a flag on each Veteran's grave in our local cemetaries.
Scholarships and Community Projects
American LegionPost 272 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.
Join Us and Keep this History Alive