Post History
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In (YEAR), five?? former servicemen met in Santa Clara. Existing at the time in Santa Clara was an informal community consisting of former World War I Veterans. The decision to organize an American Legion Post resulted from the conclusion of these veterans that the American Legion was the representative veterans' organization in this country.
That conclusion has been proven true as today the American Legion is the largest wartime veterans' organization with nearly 13,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. Current national membership is over 2 million and combined with the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion, membership in what is known as The American Legion Family, exceeds 3 million who care about America, veterans, their families and our nation's youth.
At the first meeting Mr. ____ was elected temporary Chairman and Mr. _____ temporary Secretary. Decision was made by the attending veterans to file an application for an American Legion Post.
At next meeting, a Certificate of Application for a Charter was presented. It was also decided at this meeting to organize a Post as soon as one hundred servicemen of the community in or near the City of Santa Clara had indicated their desire to join the Post..
A committee was formed to name the Post and the Post was named "American Legion Santa Clara Post 419”. All of Santa Clara’s servicemen who died in the service of their country, as a mark of respect, were honored when the Post was chartered.
Permanent organization was effected at the next meeting, at which time, the first group of officers were elected. The first officers of American Legion Post were: Commander: Mr___________, Adjutant: Mr. _______, and Finance Officer: Mr. __________, etc.
Affiliated Organizations
The Auxiliary of American Legion Santa Clara Post 419 was formed in (YEAR). Auxiliary members are creative, caring, and consistently deliver outstanding activities and programs for our veterans, community, and youth. Although the Auxiliary is a separate organization, their mission is to support the American Legion, and they do so with heart and soul, and time and money!
A Sons of the Legion for Santa Clara Post 419 was formed in (YEAR). The Sons are part of the Legion, and also support the cause with enthusiasm, fun, and determination to get the job done!
Patriotic Days
MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the community, the goal of every veteran to it's last person is to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead of all of the wars of the country; and all graves are decorated on this National Holiday. The Legion Family at Post 419, participates in three different Memorial Day events--two in Santa Clara and one in Mountain View.
ARMISTICE DAY, now called VETERANS' DAY, originally marked the end of fighting in World War I. It is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all Veterans. The Legion family participates in the regional Veterans Day Parade in San Jose, with the exception of the Covid-19 Pandemic time. Traditionally, Veterans Day activities begin at 11 o'clock on the morning of November 11, marking the exact hour of the cessation of hostility on the war fronts.
Registration Of Graves
Since it's inception American Legion Post 419 has been a leader in this community in the area of graves registration; which has been incorporated by all the American Legion Posts in Santa Clara County. Grave Registration enables all interested parties to locate the site of the grave of each Veteran. American Legion Post 419 acquired a burial lot in Mission City Cemetery and this has been marked by the erection of a monument marking it as the burial lot for veterans. Each year, active members of the Legion Family place a flag on each veteran's grave.