Sioux City American Legion Post 64
The History of Edward H. Monahan Post No. 64
On April 18, 1919, (four months after the armistice was signed ending the fighting in the World War) the “first call” was sounded to again assemble the men and women of Sioux City who had served their country in uniform. In response, nearly one thousand persons appeared at the Auditorium to signify their desire to know the meaning of the call. Speakers there told of the great purposes of The American Legion which was born in France some months previous. The sense of the meeting gripped the auditors, and, after an explanation of the ideals and principles of the Legion a motion was put before the house and passed appointing a committee to petition the national headquarters of The American Legion for a post charter for Sioux City.
In the months that followed the first gathering of the former warriors there came the most welcome charter affiliating the Sioux City organization with The American Legion. The general custom of selecting names for the various posts was followed in the local chapter. That custom suggests the name of the first person who gave his life on the battlefields of France for his country to become the name of the post in the community in which he lived. Thus the name of Edward H. Monahan was immortalized by his former comrades in Sioux City.
Little should be stated as to the efforts of individuals in organizing the local post. Such is not the spirit of those who enter upon a common cause such as that which gave Monahan Post grounds for existence. The splendid leadership and vision of most loyal men and women has guided Monahan Post in its high endeavor through the years of its infancy. Most commendable support and co-operation of its entire membership has placed it in the front rank of the posts of the nation. And to the general public of Sioux City should go a vast portion of the credit for the high ideals which now grace the records of Monahan Post.
The preamble of the national constitution of The American Legion provides a pattern of Americanism that well describes the purposes of this organization of former service men and women. A broader, more altruistic and unselfish association for the promotion of America’s well being does not exist. The Legion attempts to function through the principles of democracy and guide its actions to the best interests of the American people.
100% Americanism
Useful citizenship is 100% Americanism taught in its activities, and in its practices the Legion strives to do only those things that will reflect the true American spirit that its members learned to venerate through the patriotic ties of service under The Colors.
Many fine acts of note have gone down in the history of Monahan Post. The most noteworthy are the impressive funeral escorts which accompanied the bodies of Sioux City’s war dead to their last resting places—
"...far from gay cities, and the ways of men."
—Homer.
Under the auspices of Monahan Post there were thirty-eight funeral escorts paying full military honors over the bodies of former comrades. From time to time as the bodies would be received from the overseas battlefields, the Legionnaires would form in column to pay final honors to the heroic dead. The Colors and guard, firing squad, pall bearers and a column of men from all arms of the service would march to the music of the Monahan Post band to the cemeteries. There the last rites were said and the firing squads paid the final salutes. The echoing of the bugles floated through the stilly air of the peaceful homeland when Taps was heard—indeed—
“Fades the light
And afar
Goeth day,
Cometh night;
And a star
Leadeth all
To their rest.”
The history of Monahan Post has been an open book and a matter of public participation, save for the matters of alms-giving and relief among suffering ex-service men and their dependents. In this work the post has sympathetically aided many men whose physical and mental capacities were found to be handicapped because of injuries or sickness experienced during the period of serving their country. In this relief work Monahan Post has not confined its efforts to those of its membership. All ex-service men of the city, and those who come within the city’s borders are welcome to the assistance which the post is in a position to offer. Each application for relief is examined and passed upon by a committee whose duty it is to assist, temporarily at least, those who are found to be worthy. Such acts are not made a matter of public report. In the majority of cases the appeal to the post is made as a last resort, and the pride of young men whose cases are many times found to be most pitiful is given an opportunity to feel the warmth of the bonds of comradeship.
Patriotic Endeavor
The membership roster of the post in 1920 was 1,410. The following year was the first year of state supremacy when the local post led the state with a membership of 1,645. In 1923 the roster swelled to the greatest figure in the history of the post when 1,800 members were listed, and a most promising campaign on foot to reach the 2,000 mark at the time of printing this book.
Membership has not been uppermost in the endeavors of Monahan Post. Although efforts have always been most lively in this respect, the greater concern has been in obtaining proper legislation for the benefit of disabled comrades. In this regard The American Legion has received the support of the entire nation, and has been the greatest figure in solving the problems confronting the government in the interests of her disabled veterans.
It is not the will of Monahan Post to boast of the many instances that have been notably commendable in its history. Rather it is the desire of its membership to herald the most loyal support and interest of all Sioux City in the undertakings and ambitions of the post. At no time has the public been indifferent to its efforts in conducting celebrations and patriotic gatherings. So enthusiastic has been the city's response to its offerings that an ambition to build itself into the most useful organization in the community exists. Its pledge is to promote a clean, energetic plan of action that will savor of 100% Americanism, ever thoughtful of the great obligations that its inceptive principles embrace, and ever mindful of the influential position it holds in the building of the future Sioux City.
Among the foremost of Monahan Post's department activities is the Americanization commission. It is the duty of this body to provide a speakers' bureau of some forty men who keep in close touch with the developments of present day movements and legislation. This bureau has provided speakers for many Memorial Day and Independence Day programs in towns and cities in northwest Iowa. Speaking campaigns in the interests of Sioux City schools and churches have been conducted in response to the call for patriotic addresses. Two splendid essay contests have been conducted among the school students of the city, using subject titles of "The Spirit of The United States in the World War," and "The Constitution of The United States."
The plans of the bureau are extensive in scope. A forum where constructive subjects will be discussed before all who care to participate will be in force in the very near future. Here ex-service men particularly, will endeavor to keep themselves informed on matters concerning public welfare. This effort will be designed to stimulate a broader interest on the part of young men in the study of American traditions and the present and future policies of governmental direction.
All undertakings of this forum will be in the interests of educational advancement among men whose desire it is to become more useful to their communities and more faithful to their country.
Charity
Highest honors have greeted the efforts of the nationally famous Monahan Post band. At the national convention of The American Legion held in Kansas City, in 1921, the band was awarded third prize in a competition of Legion bands from all parts of the country. In 1922 the great distinction of being the nation's finest American Legion band was conferred upon the Monahan Post organization. This honor carried with it the designation as the official band of The American Legion of The United States. The prizes awarded the band included a cash prize of $1,000, a jeweled cornet, a silver drum and a loving cup which were presented by band instrument manufactories to the first prize Legion band. The $1,000 purse was the prize awarded by the national convention committee in the band competition. The band is composed of ex-service men, sixty in number. Most faithful and liberal attention has been shown on the part of each one of the personnel in fitting themselves to give expert service to the organization. The regard of all Sioux City has placed the band in an enviable position as a great musical organization. The business men of the city paid half of the expenses of sending the band to the New Orleans convention where it won the high honors of 1922. The regular concerts have always been played to the delight of remarkably well-filled houses.
The duties of the various officers of the post have been most faithfully performed. There is no salary in connection with any of the offices and it is only fair to state that the successes of Monahan Post are due to the loyal manner in which all of its officers have given of their time in furthering the interests of ex-service men and women in general. A salaried secretary is engaged to care for the vast amount of office work. A man in charge of headquarters maintenance and relief work is also engaged to care for the tremendous requirements in that respect. The entire seventh floor of the Woodbury County Court House is at present leased for the club rooms and offices of the post. Here the former service men meet and enjoy the atmosphere of well furnished lounging equipment and reading rooms. A library, billiard table and musical instruments add to the enjoyment of the members.
As to ideals, the purpose and the mission of Edward H. Monahan Post of The American Legion, the pledge to The Gold Stars shall govern—
"* * To you from failing hands we throw
The Torch; be yours to hold it high." —
Attention! Men and women of Monahan Post! Your pledge is sacred; your acts, individual and collective manifest your loyalty to the Gold Stars. They command you to be Americans—for God and Country!
Devotion
The American Legion Auxiliary of Edward H. Monahan Post No. 64
THE ever willing hand of the mother, the sister and the wife of the ex-service man has not tired if its great work of relief and service to the nation's defenders. The American Legion Auxiliary is indeed a thriving institution acting in an extensive degree for the benefit of ex-service men and their dependents. It functions in a manner typical of woman, filled with tender mercies and eager to extend the hand of sympathy. No other body has done more for Monahan Post than has the Auxiliary. It has arranged programs to entertain the ex-service men and banquets to cheer them on in their association. Every courtesy has been showered on Monahan Post that was possible to extend. Voluntary action, willingness, and a desire to be of greater use is the spirit of this body of gracious women.
On Memorial Day of each year the Auxiliary places floral tributes on the graves of all of Sioux City's war dead. At the funerals of the Gold Stars there was always a floral piece at the bier, as a token of the great love and esteem of our beloved Women's Auxiliary.
Words cannot describe the volume of relief work that has been tendered the families of Sioux City's service men and women by this organization. It is only a small part of its altruistic program, however. And as time unfolds the results of the generous attention and deeds of kindness that it has shown, there will be a record of faithful service on the memories of men that will not pass away.
May God bless the efforts of The American Legion Auxiliary.
Gratitude
THE SIOUX CITY AUDITORIUM
EDWARD H. MONAHAN POST of The American Legion is the owner of the Sioux City Auditorium. The splendid property was given to the post as a token of gratitude to the ex-service men and women of the city.
The original Auditorium Company was composed of many Sioux City men and women whose community spirit moved them to subscribe to a fund to build the great structure as a theatre and convention hall. After the close of the war the stockholders wished to express their appreciation to the men and women who served under The Colors. A movement was voluntarily started by a majority of the owners to make the Auditorium the property of Monahan Post as a home for its activities and a source of revenue for the post's maintenance.
Today the city can boast of a monument to the honor of her warriors that is a manifestation of civic pride, unparalleled and unprecedented.
