The History of New Jersey's Post 86:
"Post
86" - It is common to find a post with this number but how many were
chartered 29 August 1919?
We
are the oldest Post in Sussex County and one of the oldest posts still actively
serving the veterans and our community.
The
first Post Commander was Obediah
P. Armstrong (1919-1920). After the caucus in Paris, France in March of
1919, where the American Legion was really formed, the convention was held in
St. Louis, Mo. Here, overseas veterans as well as all other men could gather
together and build an organization for all men who served in various capacities
in World War 1. At this convention it was decided that each state should number
its own posts consecutively starting with the number 1. O.P “Obe” Armstrong,
who was the first Sergeant-At-Arms of our department (State) organization and
our first Post Commander, made a valiant effort to get us a low number. He went
to a department meeting with our application for charter and placed it on the
table early, but later applications were heaped upon it; the last became the
first; the first became the last and we were assigned number 86.
Our charter was granted August 29, 1919 with 13 charter members. Officers were elected for the first time on January 19, 1920 with O.P. Armstrong, Commander
Post #86 was named in memory of Lt. Charles A. Meyer, one of the first of our area to give his life for the cause of freedom in the War that was to end all Wars (He died in the Argonne).
On the 30th of
May, 1920, Memorial Day, Post #86 cooperated with the G.A.R., Sons of Veterans,
Spanish War Veterans and other Patriotic Organizations to hold Memorial Services
for the War Dead. This was the last Memorial Day Service under the leadership of
the G.A.R. From that service to the present, Post #86 has led Memorial Day
programs and pilgrimages to cemeteries around the county.
On July 18, 1921, the
remains of Lt. Charles A. Meyer were returned from overseas and laid to rest in
Andover Cemetery with full Military Honors. Over 100 members from Post #86 were
in attendance.
A year has not passed since that date that our Firing Squad has not honored all the veterans of all wars at the grave of Lt. Charles A. Meyer. History is vague about the date of the first Memorial Day Pilgrimage to conduct Military Services at the Baleville Church. However, our post has assumed the responsibility, handed down by other organizations, for many years. This service was enlarged to include a procession which currently visits 11 grave sites within our county plus services at our post on the Sunday before Memorial Day. We render full honors (3 rounds each from 7 rifles at each site. A total of 252 shots). Our Squad includes active members, SAL and a contingent of Doughboys from the Warren/ Sussex Great War Association (Post #131 and Post #86). The memory of the Doughboys and their sacrifices lives on through these men.
In 1925 we sponsored our first Boy Scout Troop as a community service program. A scout not yet born on that date was later to become one of the first Eagle Scouts, including a Silver Palm, from our Legion-sponsored program and still later, was to become a commander of our post. The Scout also had the distinction of being the first and only son of a past Post Commander to hold the same office of Post Commander; John J. Coats. Troop 86 is currently inactive but we assumed the sponsorship of Newton Troop 85 when they needed a new home. These Scouts are our Flag Bearers on Memorial Day, assist at our breakfasts and dinners and hold regular meetings at our Hall. Their help is, as always, greatly appreciated.In the early days of our Post, we were called upon to render a service to our community, state and nation. Locomotive firemen went on a "Wildcat" strike. They were members of the Brotherhood of locomotive Engineers and Firemen. Yet the engineers did notgo on strike. Legion Posts were asked to recruit men to fire the locomotives to haul milk and produce to the cities to prevent spoilage and provide necessities for the city people. Our Post answered the call and recruited men for the trains that left our terminal.
The year 1929 brought still another need to our community. Prior to the construction of Newton Memorial Hospital, an ambulance service beacme a necessity for transportation to the various area hospitals. Funds were raised and not only did our post purchase an ambulance but operated the service until the Newton Hospital took over in march of 1933.
Very Few Legion Posts had tried publishing a letter to members before 1935. Bob O'Hagen, who covered miles serving a bread route, said that many veterans asked him about the doings of our post and he suggested a magazine be put out to mail to them. Leon McKeon and Emmet Van Auken found a way to do it in September of 1934. Hunting amongst members for a name for the thing, Charlie Blesskany remarked "It's the call to meetings, why not call it The Bugle". Mr. Van Auken feeling that in a way, sometimes it might be a bit brassy, decided to call it "The Brazen Bugle". This publication has since earned one first place and two second place awards in it division and again serves our post today thanks to the diligent efforts of our Post Adjutant/Publisher.
To Be Continued.............