Who Is The American Legion?
When most people think of the American Legion their first thought is usually of the many Legion Post baseball teams located in communities all over the United States. In reality the American Legion is much more than a sponsor of youth baseball. The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization and was initially founded by veterans of the American Expeditionary Forces returning from Europe after World War I.
The Weymouth, Massachusetts Post 79 was one of the first to be formed on July 18, 1919 when they met at the Grand Army Of The Republic Hall in North Weymouth. William A. Connell Sr. was named the first Commander of one of the largest Posts in Massachusetts. Congress granted the national organization a charter in September of 1919. After the Second World War, because there were so many veterans, Weymouth had three Legion Posts. The American Legion Post in South Weymouth was formed in 1946 and called themselves the George R. Bean Post after a South Weymouth boy who never made it home. In later years, as membership waned, the Posts were combined.
Historically, local American Legion Posts would escort repatriated soldiers, who had made the ultimate sacrifice, to their final resting places and provided support for their families. Since that time the American Legion's mission has expanded, not only focusing on service to veterans and service members but entire communities. Local organizations sponsor commemorative events, donate time to assist local government and charitable causes in addition to staying active in veterans affairs.