AMERICAN LEGION MARKS 75TH ANNIVERSARY

For younger Americans, World War I seems an eternity past. For those who lived during and after the war, it seems like only yesterday.

The American Legion was formed at the close of World War I, as American troops waited to be shipped back home on what few boats the U.S. forces had to carry them.

Today marks the anniversary of the last day of a three-day caucus held 75 years ago in Paris, France, which laid the foundation for the American Legion.

On Wednesday night, about 40 members of the Louis K. Juden Post 63 of Cape Girardeau welcomed state commander Robert L. Boxdorfer to commemorate the event at the post headquarters.

"I don't think very many members of the American Legion have any idea about how the organization was started," said Boxdorfer. "It's something people tend to lose sight of as the years roll on."

The idea for the American Legion was born in the office of Gen. John J. Pershing following the close of the first World War.

Four officers, including the son of Franklin D. Roosevelt, decided something needed to be done for the men who fought in the war.

"At the close of World War I, there was no veterans hospitals, there was no means of prioritizing who should come home first, and severance pay consisted of $60 for the men to buy a new suit when they got home," said Boxdorfer.

The first meeting of the men who ultimately would form the American Legion was held March 15-17, 1919, in the Circus of Paris arena. At that caucus, the group was given a name -- the American Legion -- and was granted a Congressional Charter.

"The reason the size of our organization is limited is because of that charter," said Boxdorfer.

He explained that to be a member of the American Legion, a veteran had to serve during "wartime," between dates authorized by Congress.

"Congress is not too keen about extending the wartime dates for our organization," said Boxdorfer. "There are millions of veterans who would like to join this organization, but Congress is limiting our size by locking into wartime dates."

The city of St. Louis also played a big part in the early days of the American Legion. The fledgling group's second meeting was May 8-10, 1919, at the Schubert Theater in St. Louis. Today, a bank stands in the place of the original building, but a marble wall has been erected in memory of the convention which once took place there.

"We've had national commanders come and visit us in St. Louis, who have forgotten the role St. Louis played in the early development of this organization," said Boxdorfer. "But they look at the plaque on the wall and it all comes back to them."

At a November 1919 convention in Minneapolis, Minn., it was decided that the national headquarters of the American Legion should be in Indianapolis, Ind. The national convention celebrating the organization's 75th anniversary will be held in Indianapolis this year.

Boxdorfer said that there are only five men alive today who were founding members of the American Legion.

"I guess time gets away from us," he said. "Seventy-five years is a long time."