HISTORY OF THE FORMING OF LUNETA POST 52 VFW by EJ. HANNAFORD
As given to me by Bill Seidman
On Sept 27, 1916 during the formation period of Lt. Landsdale Post #67 of Sacramento Calif and after the date for the installation of the post had been decided upon, it was thought a good idea by W.H. Taylor and comrades to send a letter to Stockton so that those veterans who were eligible could have a chance to come to Sacramento on Oct 14-1916 and join. The following letter with folder was sent to R.W. Bonney, Adjutant of Commodore Stockton Camp # 4 U.S.W.V.
R.W. Bonney, 330 East Clay Street, Stockton, Calif
Dear Comrade. Thirty of us here in Sacramento have formed Lt. Landsdale Post # 67, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. We will probably institute the Post Oct 12. I am sending you a folder which gives some information about the order. If you are eligible and desire to join we would be glad to have you with us that night as we have a fine bunch of recruits waiting. If you will spread the good word among the eligible and if you will give me the names of any eligible's you know I would appreciate it.
Yours in Comradeship, W.H. Taylor, Sept 27-1916, Address 1307 1/2 G Street, Sacramento, Calif
The letter was read by R.W. Bonney, Adj of Commodore Stockton Camp # 4 on the regular meeting of the Camp Sept 28-1916. As there was a small attendance the letter was held over till the next regular meeting. The Camp members being notified to be at the next meeting as matters of importance were coming up and all invited to attend.
The next meeting held on Oct 12-1916. There was good sized attendance with two visiting comrades Ger A Collier a Post Commander of Cleveland Post # 84 V.F.W. and C.H. Brewer from an out of town camp in San Francisco U.S.W.V. The letter was again read and the matter of Foreign War Service men was discussed by the camp and the two visiting Comrades in order that those who may be eligible and desire to may arrange to become members of the Organization created by such men. George A. Collier the first Post Commander of Cleveland Post # 84 V.F.W. of Cleveland, naturally wanted to see a Post formed. Colliers was describing a skirmish with the Philippinos on Bulacan River. During a lull in the fighting a tall lanky kid stood up to see how the fighting was going on. The Philippinos opened fire and he got shot in the knee. Comrade M.P. Pritchard was sitting by the stove and when he heard that, he jumped up and said I am the kid and here is the knee. Camp Commander Otto Haginative declared a recess for the boys to get together. Pritchard and Collier shook hands and were sure glad to see each other, and then discussed their times in the Philippines. Comrade Brewer on seeing them so happy remarked the finest thing in the Vets is Comradeship started on Foreign War fields. C.H. Brewer and M.P. Pritchard declared they would go to Sacramento and become Charter members of the Post being formed.
Both Comrades were present on Oct 14-1916 with proper credentials and were duly elected to membership in Lt Landsdale Post # 67 and regularly mustered into the order at the institution of the
Post as charter members. After the exercises were over, several of the Sacramento members told both Brewer and Pritchard that they should go back to Stockton and get busy and form their own Post. Both were so impressed with the order they readily assented to do all in their power to have a post in Stockton as soon as they could. Upon Comrade Brewers return to Stockton he got busy in looking up overseas veterans and made his Hdqtrs at the Imperial Hotel.
On Oct 18th 1916, Commander W.H. Taylor in his next report to National Chief Of Staff, as required, regarding the installation and institution of Lt Landsdale Post mentioned the fine prospects of soon having another Post of the order in Stockton.
On Jan 11-1917 Comrade Brewer reported several comrades of Stockton were anxious to join the new order, but could not readily get to Sacramento for initiation, so a letter was sent to the National Chief Of Staff asking if it was permissible to muster in members outside the Post room and between meetings. A reply was received from him, that this could be done if recruits had first been duly proposed, investigated and elected.
On March 6-1917 on the Visit of Commander in Chief Rabing, he formally gave permission to Commander Taylor that this could be done.
On March 22-1917 a Committee of five was appointed to attend to those applications from Stockton, consisting of Commander W.H. Taylor, Sr. Vice Commander Rose, Jr. Vice Commander G.W. Ochsner, Chaplain F.S. Stuger and Adj J.W. Dotls.
On April 12-1917 a letter was received from Adj General R.G. Woodside that it was all right if the proper precautions were taken. Comrade Brewer signed up Van V. Bowman during the first of May-1917 as the first recruit and sent in his name from Stockton. He was duly elected, but before the Committee could get to Stockton he left town. Brewer again got busy and got up a class of recruits.
On June 14-1917 Comrade Brewer reported to Sacramento he had a class of four recruits waiting to become members.
On June 16-1917 Comrades Brewer and Taylor called a meeting in the Imperial Hotel. The following Comrades FA Will, O.W. Hyde and F. H. Bileski were duly mustered into Landsdale Post and later at the place of business of l.M. Ford he was made a member. These were to be the starter of the Post in Stockton. All had previously been duly balloted upon and elected.
June 25-1917 Comrade Brewer was given authority to muster in recruits after being properly elected.
On June 28-1917 a meeting was called and Comrade Brewer mustered W.H. Normand into the order. He being the last one to be mustered into Sacramento Post. Comrade Brewer announced that starting with Comrade EJ. Hannaford the following recruits, W.R. Bilyeu, C.K. Clary, Dr. F.M. Caldwell, C.C. Parks, J.L.