In 1946 with the return of the many war dead of World War II it was decided to form a drill team to represent the post at funerals, Memorial Day, parades and other events in the community. At first we used our service uniforms, until we were able to get other uniforms. WE have had several different uniforms over the years with the present uniforms being our royal blue uniform. Twenty-five life mem
bers are required for a Charter; the Post has 386 life members, with a total membership of 468. In the early days of the post, cards were mailed each month notifying members of meetings and other events taking place. In 1968 we discussed how we could better inform our members, from this our Admiral Benson News started, with the first issue dated January 1969. This had been a very successful venture. In 1972 the question arose as to how we could make better use of our dining hall. Various projects were discussed, and it was decided to install a grill and have a steak fry each Saturday night, reserving the first Saturday of each month for post activities. The Post has been very active over the years in aid to Veterans, and hospital work, with members going to the V.A. Hospital and Bowling with the patients, sponsoring ward parties, donating money for Veterans Pheasant Dinner, Ely Fishing Trip, helping sponsor and work at the Sixth District Turkey Barbecue, when they serve between 600 and 700 hospitalized Veterans, and each summer having a bus load of hospitalized Veterans come to our post home for a Sweet Corn and Fried Chicken Dinner. The Post sponsors bowling teams, slow pitch softball, little legue baseball, hockey, and boxing. One of our more successful programs in the schools has been our Voice of Democracy program, with very high participation over the years. We have had a very successful Poppy program in cooperation with the Auxiliary, selling poppies a week or two before Memorial Day. We also have hospital equipment including wheel chairs, beds, crutches and walkers, which are loaned to anyone I the community at no charge.
