What Salem's Capital Post No. 9 of the American Legion has done:

April 15, 1919 - - The birth of Capital Post No. 9.

July 28, 1919 - - Post 9 is recognized as a post of the American Legion.

December 7, 1919 - - Post 9 develops relief fund for ex-servicemen and their families. They also endorsed the Boy Scout movement.

1920 - - The first steps taken by the Post 9 in community service: planting two memorial trees on the Courthouse lawn here in Salem.

1921 - - American Legion Auxiliary was formed.

1927 - - Mississippi Flood disaster: Post 9 gives $1,700 to its relief fund.

1928 - - American Legion sponsors the building of the Salem Airport.

1930 - - County Indigent Fund: Post 9's yearly donation was $1,039.

1931 - - Post 9 went on record as endorsing the action of the Executive Committee in favoring the sponsoring and raising of $2,000 for the new home of the Sal-vation Army.

1935 - - Post 9, went on record as endorsing the proposed bond issue for School District #4 which would make possible the betterment of the school dis-trict.

1936 - - Post 9 sent 6 1/2 truck loads of clothing and supplies for the sufferers of the Bandon fire.

1937-38 - - Capital Post 9 voted to actively support the American Red Cross First Aid School.

1940 - - A resolution was adopted calling upon the Mayor and City Council of Salem to take all steps necessary in supporting the plan to enlarge and develop the Salem Airport. It was announced that an initial allotment of $140,000 had been made for the improvement of the Salem Airport.

1941 - - The dedication of the Salem Municipal Airport. United Airlines begins to use it.

1954 - - Post 9 American Legion baseball team has to rank as Salem's top junior outfit of all time. Coached by Vince Genna, the locals won the State title, the area crown, and then went to Hastings, Neb., only to lose in the regional play which determined the final four teams for the National tournament.

Today -- Post #9 is still active in sponsoring the airport.

Records after 1941 were damaged by water and are not available. Besides caring for their own, those at Salem Capital Post 9 make contributions in many ways to the Salem community. Their benevolence carries on. It is good to know they are here.

Compiled by William Glennen

Bibliography:
American Legion Extension Institute, Lesson Plan I; Publisher: American Legion; abridged by William Glennen

Dave Watts, Capital Post #9, Salem American Legion, August, 2003.

Al Jones, "Salem's baseball history", Salem Public Library, OnLine History web-site, www.salemhistory.org