American Legion Livingston Post 201.
The American Legion was established in Paris, France, in March 1919, by a thousand commissioned officers and enlisted men. Delegates from all the units of the American Expeditionary Forces were invited to an organization caucus meeting, which adopted a tentative constitution and selected the name "American Legion."
The Livingston Post of the American Legion was founded 12years later, in mid-1931, by a group of World War I veterans. In its pages, the Tribune reported the establishment of and early development of the veterans' organization.
As reported on June 25, 1931issue, "Sixty World War [I] veterans were enrolled at an organization meeting of the Livingston Post of the American Legion at Central School, [South] Livingston Avenue. Essex County Vice Commander Donald Peny of Maplewood Post conducted the meeting.
"Temporary officers selected are Commander, Andrew Breidenbach; Junior vice commander, John Frenger; finance officer, William H. Conover, and
Adjutant, Edward Hotchkiss. It was voted to meet the second and fourth Thursdays at the Livingston firehouse. Mr. Breidenbach appointed Robert W.
Kean, Charles G. Zahn and Malcolm Smith as a committee to formulate plans for post activities.
"American Legion safety signs will be installed as the Post's initial move in community service. The committee appointed to install these signs includes John Myers, Michael Damato, and George Kennedy.
"Essex County Commander John E. Cash congratulated the new post Dr. J. Roland Teed of Roseland, who led a delegation of members of the James Caldwell Post, pledged the cooperation of other posts in the vicinity.
"Other speakers were Adjutant Reginald Bennett of the East Orange Post, County Vice Commander Emery Corbett of Cedar Grove, Publicity Director John H. Latt of Irvington, Commander Henry B. Long of the Cedar Grove Post, and Frank A. Pendleton, adjutant of the Maplewood Post. Posts represented at the meeting were Maplewood, Cedar Grove, Caldwell, East Orange, and Newark.
"An invitation to attend an entertainment to be given by Raymond Canfield of the Cedar Grove Post at the Mountain House, Montclair, [this] Saturday, was accepted."
In the issue of July 16, 1931, issue, the Tribune reported that the Legion's temporary members had been installed as permanent members. "Temporary officers became permanent at a recent meeting at the headquarters upon recommendation of the nominating committee, Robert W. Kean and Malcolm Smith. A.C. Breidenbach is commander. He was appointed to the state convention of the Legion at Atlantic City on September 8, and Edward L. Hotchkiss was named as alternate. E.M. Walters was ap pointed chairman of publicity.
In addition, the article noted,” Twelve new members were received, and plans were discussed for a membership campaign. Each member was asked to obtain two new ones... The drill team of the East Orange Post will be invited to conduct the installation of officers at the next meeting." The Post also "approved the standardized uniform now in use in 22 states."
Build a New Home
In March of 1959, The Livingston Post completed construction of a new building for use as its post home. In its March 19,1931 issue, the Tribune
reported, "The new American Legion building, located at 93 Beaufort Avenuewest of the first curve, was officially dedicated on Sunday, March 15, 1959, on the 40th anniversary of the founding of the National American Legion organization."
Until then. the article stated, "Meetings were held in various places including private homes in the absence of a 'permanent home. Though plans for a building have been talked up years, no action was taken until last year[1958],when the Irvington Wreckers [a construction contracting firm still in business although now in Newton, New Jersey gave the Post four steel trusses. Rather than see the trusses go to waste, it was decided to build a building."
Attending the dedication were a number of state and county Legion officials, Livingston mayor David Dowd, Livingston township manager Robert Harp, and of course numerous Legion members and their families and friends. Entertainment was provided by the local SPEBS QSA (Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America) chapter chorus.
"Post Commander Nicholas Cordasco accepted the building key from Paul Johnson, chairman of the Building Committee. State Commander George Town addressed the group," the article noted.
The address of the building was changed when a piece of the property was sold for the completion of Eisenhower Parkway, recalls current Post
Commander Bill Brady. The Post held its last meeting there on May 8, 2001. Afterwards, the Post building was demolished and a storage facility built on the site.
Today, the Legion meets once a month at the Livingston SenioR Community Center.
