As the number of returning WWII veterans swelled into the millions, it was evident that some sort of nationally organized assistance for them would be needed. The older established national groups wouldn't do; the leaders of this new generation of veterans wanted their own organization. With that in mind, eighteen of them, representing nine veterans clubs, met in Kansas City, Missouri and founded
The American Veterans (AMVETS) of WWII on Dec. 10, 1944. Less than three years later, on July 23, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 216, making AMVETS the first WWII organization to be chartered by Congress. Washington County AMVETS Post 10 was started in the home of the honorable Charles "Charlie" E. Charlie was a WWII Coast Guard veteran, serving on a destroyer patrolling the Atlantic coast line from Nova Scotia to Bermuda. He served as Post Commander, and held various other offices within the Post. He served 26 years on the Maryland Veterans Commission appointed by the Governor. Charlie also served as a AMVETS Department of Maryland Commander. In the 1970's, the Post was relocated from Charlie's home to a location on South Potomac St. to where the old Hagerstown Moose Club was located. Then in 1986, the Post relocated to it's present location at 770 Frederick St. which is the site of the former Colony Inn. Our membership is open to those still serving, and to those honorably discharged veterans including the Reserves and National Guard. If you'd like to become a member of one of America's leading veterans' service organizations, stop by the Post and fill out an application. All that we need to see is a copy of your DD-214, showing that you were honorably discharged. card if you are still active duty. Joe Mills is our Membership Chairman.
