Chester Township History & Genealogy
American Legion, Reinhart W Roman Post 537
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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

Chester Township
Ottawa County
Michigan, USA