On Sept. 16, 1919, the U.S. Congress passed a national charter to establish the American Legion as an effort to provide assistance to returning veterans and their families after World War I.

Three days later, Lehighton’s American Legion Post 314 was born.

One hundred years have passed since Lehighton’s Bert B. Davis organized Post 314.

Initially created to serve veterans of WWI, the American Legion has provided a gathering place for veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War.

On Sunday, the Lehighton Legion celebrated the 100th birthday of the Legion, organized by Harry J. Wynn III, a Vietnam Navy veteran and 49-year member of the Post.

Wynn states that the active members are “a great group of dedicated people.”

The program included speeches and letters of commendation by political dignitaries and local historian and teacher, Ron Rabenold, who served as the keynote speaker.

Lehighton Mayor Clark Ritter also presented a proclamation recognizing Sept. 15, 2019, as “American Legion Centennial Day.”

Local veterans attended the ceremony and spoke highly of its leadership and community service.

Color Guard members Steve Youngkin, Harry Procina, Gary Beaver, Carl Haydt and Mike Hopstock, all of Lehighton, and Rodger Diehl of Mahoning Valley, represented the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines.

Veterans in attendance received 100th Anniversary coins.

Asher C. Repsher, 92, a Navy veteran from Ashfield, said the coin “is a beautiful reminder” of the “work of soldiers.” Other longtime members in attendance included Marvin Barry, 95, of Bowmanstown; Chester Franz, 94, of South Tamaqua; and Stephen DeFranco of Roseto.

Ed Gallagher and his wife, Cathy, celebrated with friends Thomas Keener and his wife, Frances, of Lehighton. Frances, originally from Palmerton, has served on the Ladies Auxiliary for 50 years.

In his keynote address, Rabenold, a teacher at Lehighton Elementary School, said that “preserving our democracy is the sole goal of our American Legion and that has not changed in the hundred years since its inception.”

His presentation highlighted the hard work and diversity of Post 314 over the past 100 years. Among its historical members are Mary Kennedy of Mauch Chunk. She was one of the first women from the U.S. to serve in World War I as a nurse, and upon moving to Lehighton, rose to the rank of vice president at the American Legion.

George Harmon, a World War I soldier serving in the segregated troops, moved to Lehighton from Delaware and became a shoemaker, firefighter and was also an active member of Post 314.

In order to preserve the hard work and service of the American Legion, great efforts are being made to attract younger veterans. Wynn is hopeful that a new generation of veterans will see the “value of a community dedicated to veterans.”

To learn more about the American Legion, visit www.legion.org or visit Post 314 at 381 Bridge St., Lehighton.