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Draft:St. Quentin Post of the American Legion

Coordinates: 41°52′27″N 91°35′9″W / 41.87417°N 91.58583°W / 41.87417; -91.58583
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American Legion Post No. 555
The St. Quentin Post American Legion Hall
St. Quentin Post of the American Legion is located in Iowa
St. Quentin Post of the American Legion
Location in Iowa
St. Quentin Post of the American Legion is located in the United States
St. Quentin Post of the American Legion
Location in United States
Location1545 Main Street, Ely, IA 52227, Ely, Iowa
Coordinates41°52′27″N 91°35′9″W / 41.87417°N 91.58583°W / 41.87417; -91.58583
Arealess than one acre
Built1954-1955

The St. Quentin Post of the American Legion (Post 555) is a veterans service organization and a community anchor institution in Ely, Iowa. The post was established in 1921 and the current hall was completed in 1955. The post and its membership, including the Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of the Legion, serve a diverse range of functions in the community.

History

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St. Quentin Post No. 555 in Ely, Iowa, held its first meeting in March 1921 in a brick building at Dows and Main Streets. The first elected officers included Commander Frank J. Krob and Adjutant George Motycka. The post was named to honor local soldiers Charles Noska and Joseph Dvorak who were killed in France during World War I near the city of St. Quentin. The post began with 45 charter members including six transfers from Cedar Rapids' Hanford Post.[1]

Early on, the community raised $578 for a memorial hall, with many pledging 60 hours of labor. A lot was bought in 1922, and in 1923, the post moved two former school buildings to the site. By 1928, the hall had an extended structure, later used as Ely High School's basketball court and community venue.

With increased membership post-WWII, a new hall was completed in 1955, featuring a large stage and kitchen. Fundraisers included local performances and Auxiliary-hosted sales. The post has observed Memorial and Veterans Days since its founding, holding ceremonies at several cemeteries and, in recent years, exclusively at Rogers Grove Cemetery. [2]

In 2021, the post celebrated 100 years of service to the Ely Community.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "The Naming of the St. Quentin Post | American Legion Post 555".
  2. ^ Ely Iowa Centennial Book, Aug 1972
  3. ^ "American Legion in Ely celebrating 100 years". March 2, 2021 – via www.kcrg.com.
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