Legionnaires have a long history in Col. County

DAYTON—The Frank E. Bauers American Legion Post No. 42 was organized in 1919, which was the same year the national organization was chartered and incorporated by Congress, according to Carla Rowe who has written a history of the Dayton organization based on the material published in various issues of the Columbia County Dispatch.

She writes, "The Post is named after Frank Ernest Bauers, of Company M, 361st Infantry, ninety-first Division, wounded October 2, 1918 in the battle of Argonne in France. He died October 11, 1918."

According to Rowe's research, the local American Legion got its start when soldiers began returning home to Columbia County from World War I.

A portion of the Dantzscher building was rented as a post headquarters in January of 1920. In 1921, the headquarters were moved to rooms on the second floor of the Weinhard building. The Legion headquarters were moved to the current site at 211 E Clay Street in 1948.

"Nationally, the American Legion is the largest veterans service organization committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to fellow service members and veterans," writes Rowe.

Over the years Frank E. Bauers American Legion Post No. 42 has raised money for the Soldiers Memorial Library Fund, contributed funds for the needy at Christmas, gathered firewood for the elderly, provided a footbridge over the Touchet River, provides color guards at parades, contributes to local youth programs, established the Veteran's Memorial at the corner of 4th Street and Main Street, participates in Operation Comfort Warrior, and mows Dayton's Pioneer Cemetery.

"We're busy," said Brian Black, a former Post Commander.

Black said Legionnaires recently partnered with Dayton High School students to create 900 crosses to mark veteran's graves in the Dayton City Cemetery, and veterans' graves in the Starbuck cemetery, over Memorial Day weekend.

Black spoke about items currently on display at the Palus Museum.

He said many of them came out of the basement of the Legion's headquarters.

"There are records from the early 1900s and some from Civil War times. If you are a history buff, you can get lost in there," Black said.

Legion Post No. 42 meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at 7 p.m. at the 211 E. Clay Street headquarters.

Terri Schlachter is the Vice Commander of Legion Post No. 42 and she has been spearheading an effort to increase membership in the Legion's Auxiliary.

She said the Auxiliary added fifteen new members at their last meeting on March 21.

The Auxiliary strives to provide comfort and aid to the relatives of veterans and active duty military personnel through a variety of fundraisers and activities.

She said the main fundraiser is the sale of poppies. Proceeds from their sales help send high school juniors to Boys and Girls State, which is an Americanism and government training program.

The Auxiliary also operates a free-to-veterans Christmas gift shop, at the Walla Walla Veterans Administration.

Schlachter invites the public to the Spring Bingo fundraiser on April 13, in the multi-purpose room at Dayton Elementary School from 3-7 p.m. Proceeds from Spring Bingo will help support relatives of veterans and active-duty personnel.

The next meeting of the Legion Auxiliary is on May 23, at 5:30 p.m., at 211 E. Clay Street.