MONROE - Monroe's American Legion Post 84 and Auxiliary Unit celebrated Saturday with a banquet to honor the organization's 90th year in Monroe and the American Legion's 90th birthday.
The American Legion was founded in 1919 by veterans of World War I. According to the National Library of the American Legion, the first post organized March 7, 1919, in Washington D.C.
Monroe's post organized in September 1919. According to "The Story of Monroe," when the American Legion post first was organized, it was named in honor of Sgt. Glen R. Zilmer, who, at the age of 22, was killed while fighting in Europe in 1918. At Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, seaman second-class David J. Riley was killed when Japanese bombs hit his ship. The American Legion post later changed its name to Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post 84 to honor the first two men killed in the first world wars.
Over the years, the members have supported troops who serve or have served in the military, supported youth through programs such as the Boy Scouts of America and provided scholarships for students, auxiliary member Donna Douglas said.
"We support the families that have troops deployed," she said.
The Legion and auxiliary have sent care packages to troops overseas.
"We want to be active in the community," Douglas said.
The auxiliary helps the Legion members, Douglas explained.
The Legion and auxiliary honored Nora Rubi on Saturday for her years of service to the auxiliary. Rubi, who is 104 years old, has been a member of the auxiliary since 1929.
Also honored was Marian Baumgartner, who died in 2008. She was active for many years in the poppy sales.
"The volunteers are the driving force (of the organization)," Douglas said.
The American Legion was founded in 1919 by veterans of World War I. According to the National Library of the American Legion, the first post organized March 7, 1919, in Washington D.C.
Monroe's post organized in September 1919. According to "The Story of Monroe," when the American Legion post first was organized, it was named in honor of Sgt. Glen R. Zilmer, who, at the age of 22, was killed while fighting in Europe in 1918. At Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, seaman second-class David J. Riley was killed when Japanese bombs hit his ship. The American Legion post later changed its name to Zilmer-Riley American Legion Post 84 to honor the first two men killed in the first world wars.
Over the years, the members have supported troops who serve or have served in the military, supported youth through programs such as the Boy Scouts of America and provided scholarships for students, auxiliary member Donna Douglas said.
"We support the families that have troops deployed," she said.
The Legion and auxiliary have sent care packages to troops overseas.
"We want to be active in the community," Douglas said.
The auxiliary helps the Legion members, Douglas explained.
The Legion and auxiliary honored Nora Rubi on Saturday for her years of service to the auxiliary. Rubi, who is 104 years old, has been a member of the auxiliary since 1929.
Also honored was Marian Baumgartner, who died in 2008. She was active for many years in the poppy sales.
"The volunteers are the driving force (of the organization)," Douglas said.