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Reinhard Walter Roman 1917-1944 |
The Chester Township American Legion post began in 1946 and received its official charter in 1948. The charter was signed by the National Commander and Adjutant on April 28, 1948, and by the Michigan District Commander
and Adjutant on May 8, 1948. There were 16 Charter Members.
Charter Members of Reinhart
W Roman Post 537
Edward F. Dinkel |
William B. Robbins Jr. |
La Verne C. Wolters |
Alfred E. Wiltenberg |
George L. Doane |
Rudolph J. Lachmann |
Raymond H. Gates |
Donald R. Creager |
George L. Seaman |
Ormal H. Ritz |
Stanley F. Batson |
Wm Bryan Robbins |
Clarence E. Doane |
Lewis H. Arends |
Willis Abbott |
Earl C. Stockhill |
Reinhart W Roman Post 537’s
first Commander was Edward F. Dinkel. The Vice-Commander was George Seaman. Adjutant was Laverne Wolters.
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Edward F Dinkel, First Post Commander, 1946 |
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George Seaman, First Post Vice Commander, 1946 |
Since the post did not have
its own building, they met in the I.O.O.F (Odd Fellows) hall. The post had a
ten year lease agreement with the Conklin I.O.O.F. Land was purchased at Crockery Lake in the hope of building a Legion Hall
there one day. The post met in the Odd Fellows hall for several years. Then, in the early 1950s, they purchased a building on the corner of Miller and Conklin Streets from Bernard
D. Wiltenberg and William F. Peters. This building was remodeled and a kitchen
was added.
In 1973, construction was started on a new Legion hall on 32nd Avenue between Wilson and Sehler Streets. The hall was completed in 1974 and
the first meeting was held there in February of that year. When the costs of
heating, electricity, insurance, and maintenance became to expensive for the Post to withstand, negotiations began with Chester Township to turn the hall over to the
township with stipulations that the Legion and Auxiliary would be permitted to store their things there and meet there at
no charge and that the hall would be available for community use. On March 15, 1979,
the hall was officially turned over to Chester Township and was renamed the Chester Township Civic Center.
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Article in Sparta Sentinel Leader September 1973 |
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Inside view of 32nd Avenue Legion Hall construction |
The Reinhart W Roman Post 537
is still active. They meet monthly at the Chester Township Hall and Civic Center. Members decorate the tombs of all veterans in the township with flags,
raise the flag and lower it to half mast at the Veterans' Memorial and present a gun salute there every
Memorial Day. They also lead the Chester Township Memorial Day Parade, raise the flag and lower it to half mast, and present a
gun salute. Also, each year the Post gathers old flags from citizens in the township and conducts a formal flag burning.
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Reinhart W Roman Post 537 of American Legion - Memorial Day 2003 |
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Preparing to raise the Flag - Memorial Day 2003 |
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