A memorial of trees is the most beautiful of War Memorials. Then Henry J. Sweeney Auxiliary Unit of Manchester planted forty-eight Memorial trees in Stark T Park last spring. FOR GOD AND COUNTRY The American Legion, a HEY had gathered in Paris, a group of the finest men the American Army produced, for the purpose of discussing the betterment of conditions for the A. E. F. in France. Young Colonel Roosevelt was there, and Major Eric Fisher Wood, and many others whose names are well known, and as they talked one thought was uppermost in the minds of all. Very soon they and their men were to go back into private life. Gradually the bonds which held them together in such splendid fellowship would grow weaker and the vast power of co-operation which had accomplished such miracles in war would never be turned into peace channels, unless.... The alternative was the idea out of which grew the American Legion. The meeting at the Allied Officers Club in February, 1919, was followed a New Hampshire Asset month later by a caucus at the American Club in Paris to which were summoned delegates from all branches of the army, representing all parts of the United States. And here New Hampshire Legion history begins, for Major Oscar Lagerquist of Manchester was New Hampshire representative at the conference, and Major Frank Abbott was also present. These men brought back to the United States when they came an enthusiasm for the new organization and a willingness to work hard for its success. Perhaps that is one reason why New Hampshire beat the entire United States in the matter of organizing, chartering the first state Legion organization in the country. The first Legion meeting in New Hampshire was held at Manchester on May 5, 1919. This meeting was call Major Cain addressing the crowd at the Weirs. Among his distinguished hearers the photograph shows Governor A. O. Brown, General Edwards, Dr. R. O. Blood, and Lemuel Bowles, National Adjutant of Legion. ed by Major Frank Knox for the purpose of sending delegates to the national caucus at St. Louis. Forty-seven representatives were present at that meeting, and they selected the following delegates: Major Frank Knox of Manchester, who was elected chairman of the New Hampshire State Branch Temporary Committee of the American Legion, Jeremy Waldron of Portsmouth, Walter J. Hogan of Manchester, George Fiske of Manchester, John Santos of Manchester, Arthur Trufant of Nashua, Hervey L'Hereaux of Manchester, William J. Murphy of Manchester, C. Fred Maher of Laconia, H. E. Deschenes of East Jaffrey. The St. Louis caucus increased the enthusiasm of the delegates and, like able business men that they were, they lost no time in putting that enthusiasm to work. Before they had reached New Hampshire on their return trip, they had a plan all outlined for the organization work in the state. The Legislature had appropriated $10,000 for the purpose of providing a Welcome Home Celebration for the boys. Major Knox went to Governor Bartlett and asked that the money be turned over to the Legion. The Governor and Council granted the request; the Legion used part of the money for a Welcome Home Celebration at the Weirs in August; the rest of the money went for organization. Under the able direction of Major Abbott, the organization progressed by leaps and bounds. Laconia, organizing on April 6, carried off the first charter. Then in quick succession came the Henry J. Sweeney Post of Manchester, the James E. Coffey Post of Nashua, the Gordon-Bissell Post of Keene. By the middle of August forty-two posts had been chartered with a total membership of 3,000 members. The first state to organize, New Hampshire was also first to hold a state convention, This took place at the These men represent two kinds of New Hampshire Legion Post. A. Wilbur Greene (left) is commander of the post at Greenville, a small town post which is a force in community affairs. Dr. H. H. Amsden (right) commander of the Concord post, leads an equally influential city organization. Weirs, August 26, 27, and 28, 1919; and General Clarence R. Edwards was the guest of honor. The camp ground at the Weirs has for many years been the rallying place of the New Hampshire Veterans' Association, an organization composed of veterans of the Spanish War and the Civil War. The gatherings had been losing interest of late because of the rapidly thinning ranks of the members. But now comes the American Legion, to carry on in the spirit of the old soldiers, and to continue the annual encampment, at the Weirs, "New Hampshire's School of Patriotism." It is a thought which grips the imagination. The 1919 convention drew up constitution and by-laws, established headquarters at Concord, elected delegates for the national convention to be held at Minneapolis in November, passed resolutions favoring adjusted compensation, and elected the following permanent of ficers: Commander, Orville E. Cain of Keene; Sr. Vice Commander, Frank A. Quigley of Wilton; Jr. Vice Commander, Alan B. Shepard of Derry; Secretary-Treasurer, Frank J. Abbott of Manchester; Quartermaster, Charles W. Buzzell of Lakeport; Sergeant-at-Arms, James P. Hartigan of Rochester; Chaplain, Rev. William H. Sweeney of Til ton. These state conventions have been held regularly since that time. The second convention recorded 78 legion posts; in 1921 there were 80; and in 1922, 82. The officers elected in 1920 were: Commander, Reginald C. Stevenson of Exeter (re-elected); Sr. Vice Commander, Dr. Robert O. Blood of Concord; Jr. Vice Commander, Joseph Edwards of Derry; Adjutant, Frank J. Abbott of Manchester; Chaplain, Rev. William H. Sweeney of Tilton; Quartermaster, Charles W. Buzzell of Laconia; Sergeant-at-Arms, Aldo B. Garland of Mil |