Winthrop, Maine
HISTORY OF WINTHROP POST #40 AMERICAN LEGION
September 26, 1919 – Organized with thirty-four charter members and took up quarters with Albert H. Frost G.A.R in Hanford Block, later moving to hall on third floor of same building and finally to a room in Town Hall.
March 11, 1925 – Committee appointed to buy Currier lot on which Legion home stands.
June 23, 1925 – Committee empowered to start building.
August 9, 1926 – “Dug Out” finished and dedicated during Old Home Week.
May 20, 1927 – Memorial Service at Glenside Cemetary, when, at requested of National Commander, soil was taken from the graves of departed comrades there, to be taken to France when commorating the tenth annivesary of the landing of our boys in France, to be strewn on graves of comrades buried there. This was done by Commander Francis N. Bate and taken to France by him and Comrade Frank L. Tuttle when they went At Belleau Wood, the soil was scattered over graves of comrades there, and the casket refilled with French soil
May 27, 1928 – Memorial Excercises at Glenside Cemetary when casket of French soil was deposited in specially prepared lot, and unveiling of tablet which bore the following inscription:
“Beneath this tablet in bronze casket reposes the soil of France taken from the graves of our comrades in Belleau Wood, replaced by soil taken from graves of comades in Glenside Cemetary, thus uniting the two soils and bespeaking that wider patriotism which says, ‘Your country and mine for the peace of mankind’”.
---Program---
Unveiling of tablet marking the deposit of the soil of France taken from the graves of our American Boys in the cemetary at Belleau Wood. At Winthrop, Maine Sunday, May 27, 3:00 P.M. 1928
2:00-2:30 P.M. – Official welcome and reception at the Town Hall. Legionaire Peter A. Thaanum, selectman of the Town of Winthrop. 2:30—Procession formed, marching to railroad station. At this point automobiles were used going to Grange Hall where the procession again formed, proceeding to cemetary.
3:00 P.M.—Exercises at Glenside Cemetary. America..St.Cecilia’s Band; Invocation…Rev. Robert Keenan, Pastor of St. Francis Catholic Church; Reminiscenses of a Year Ago…Rev. Charles P. Sargent, Pastor of Congregational Church; The Pilgrimage of the American Legion to France…Brig. Gen. Albert Greenlaw, National Committeeman of the American Legion; Music…St. Eicilia Band; Ceremony of depositing the Soil of France (a) Legionnaire Francis H. Bate, Past Commander of Winthrop American Legion (b) Hon. Ralph O. Brewster, Governor of the State of Maine (c) Brig. Gen. Georges A.L. Dumont, Military Attache of the French Embassy at Washington, D.C. (d)Band, Marseillaise and Star Spangled Banner (e) Rev. Arthur Jones, Pastor of Friends Church; Benediction… RevH.P. Aldrich, Pastor of Methodist Church; Volley…Co. F, 103 Infantry Me. N.G.; Taps… Legionnaire Joseph Heon.
April 3, 1930 – Under the leadership of Commander Alfred N. Babb work on the upper story of the Legion Home was started and was completed and didicated Nov. 11, 1930, free of debt. During the summer of 1932 a steel flag pole was errected at the Winthrop High School building on Highland Ave. and was formally didicated and presented to the school Nov. 11, 1932 by Commander Leon D. Herring, M.D. In the year 1937 the Legion Home was painted and the Post built beautiful new stone steps replacingwood steps used since 1930. This work was done under the directions of Commander George L. Baker. The Post has raised its funds by presenting eight Minstrel Shows, sis Water Regattas, several dramas and Street Dances. Since 1923 the Post assisted by the Auxiliary has sponsered a Community Christmas Tree for the children of the town. The Three Quarter Century Club since its organization has been furnished transportation to its annual convention by the Post. Commanders: 1919-1920 Francis H. Bate; 1921 Francis H. Bate;1922 Russell w. Hudson; 1923 Russell W. Hudson; 1924 Harris c\C. Bishop; 1925 Francis H. Bate; 1926 Peter A. Thaanum, Jr.; 1927 Francis H. Bate;1928 Myron Hudson; 1929 Earl Tarr; 1930 Alfred H. Babb; 1931 Arthur Lehaye; 1932 Dr. Leon D. Herring; 1933 Alfred W. Maxwell; 1934 William Loon; 1935 Adelord Fountain; 1936 George L. Baker.
Present membership – 36
Auxiliary to Winthrop Post #40 received its charter September 1927 and membership at present is 40. Sons of Legion installed on May 7, 1937, Membership – 27.
Winthrop Post #40 points with pride to its beautiful new home, free and clear of debt, located on the shore of lovely Lake Maranacook, and to its International Shrine, believed to be the only one in this country, where from early spring to late fall American and French flags float side by side. An honorable heritage, we believe, for those, who, after us shall take up the torch and carry on.
George L. Baker, commander
