The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-11-04
Won Statewide Membership
Cup In 1886 And Its Services
Are Numerous.

III, OF the American Legion, which
is sponsoring big Armistice Day
celebration in West Jefferson on
November IL, is one of the most out
standing organizations in the coun-
ty and has already made phenome-
nal record that places it near the
top of the large list of Legion
Posts in North Carolina, in spite of
its comparative youth.
Starting in 1884 with So charter
members, the local Post enjoyed a
steady increase in membership for
the next two years and in 1886 it
won silver loving cup for having
the greatest percentage gain in
membership of any Post in the
state. It's roster last year totaled
SO.
At the present time there are
about ITO active and inactive men,
bers and the records show that 70
have paid up their 1888 dues, which
is far in excess of next years quota.
With approximately 400 ex-service
men in the county, however, ohic
ers of the Post are in hope of pass
ing over last years membership
figures.
The excellent gain in membership,
though, only represents one phase
of the Ashe County Posts accom-
plishments. Under the able lead
ership of its three commanders
G. P. Wright, L. P. Coward and E.
D. Barr-the Legion here has rend-
cred numerous civic services. In
1884 and 1885, the Post staged
Fourth of July celebrations that
went over with a bang. Last year
a West Jefferson Legion band was
organized and with Legionnaire
Basil Barr as director, the commun-
ity will have an opportunity next
Thursday to see what a fine band
the Legion now has.
The Post has sponsored safety
drives and serving as worthy
signal to motorists, there are two
Legion Signs on the highways en-
tering West Jefferson, with the eau
ton of Drive Carefully.
In carrying out its program with
the boys, the Legion established
Boy Scout troop here Rev. J. w.
Luke is scoutmaster and has a fine
group of boys.
About year ago, a Legion Aux
iliary was started. This splendid
organization has about Is members
and is doing some valuable COM
munity work. Mrs. Guy DAhey is
president. =
In connection with the schools,
the Legion gives special awards,
which encourage scholarship, Amer
icanism, and community service.
Legionnaire I. T. Johnston has
charge of this activity.
The Ashe Legion post has also
helped dozens of fellow servicemen
and their families who have been in
need of aid.
The Legion and its other organi-
cations hold their regular meetings
at the Legion hall, located over
Smithey's store. G. P. Wright
served as commander in 1884 and
'35: L. P. Coward in 1886 and 81
and E. D. Barr has recently taken
over the position as the Posts third
commander. Guy T. Badger is ad-
jutant and Norman Hege, sergeant
alarms.
This year the Post also has the
honor of having one of its leaders
serving as Commander of the 18th
District of the State Department.
Mr.. Wright is serving in this ca
pacity and is doing an exceptional
ly good job of it, too. ....
The preamble to the Legion's con-
stitution is as follows:
'For God and country we asso-
ciate ourselves together for the fol-
lowing purposes: to uphold and de-
fend the Constitution of the United
States; to maintain law and order;
to foster and perpetrate one hum
dred percent AmericaniSm; to pre-
serve the memories and incidents
of our association in the great war;
to inculcate sense of individual OBJ
legation to the community, state and
nation; to combat the autocracy OF
both the classes and the masses; to
make right the master of might; to
promote peace and good will on
earth; to safeguard and transmit to
posterity and principles of justice.
freedom and democracy; to conse-
crate and sanctify our comradeship
by our devotion to mutual helpful
ness.
The charter members are as fol-
lows:
F.F. Absher, Mack Absher, w. B.
Austin, G. T. Badger, G. N. Bald
win, B. D. Barr, r. S. Barr, E. D.
Barr, Walter Burkett, G. N. Camp
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