History of Post No. 581, American Legion

History of Post No. 581, American Legion. . , Columbia Post No. 581, American Legion was organized on March 23, 1920. The organization work was conducted by Joseph McGlynn of East St. Louis, district organizer. The first meeting, held in the Turner Hall, was a decided success with twenty-four charter members being enrolled. , The Charter members of Post 581 were: R. C. Kunz, Henry Haberlah, A. G. Klein, Albert Hofstetter, Alpha C. Smith, Walter E. Schuck, Henry Thiele, Ira J. Mund, Mike Klohr, C. W. Breidecker, George Kutterer, John W. Thomas, Henry D. Mehrtens, Earl G. Parrott, Charles Steinsieck, Frank D. Buncher, August Welsch, Leo E. Kipping, Herman F. Taake and Louis Habermehl. , The following officers were elected at the first meeting: Commander, R. C. Kunz, Vice Commander, Ira J. Mund; Adjutant, Walter F. Schuck; Finance Officer, C. W. Breidecker; Chaplain, Henry Haberlah; Historian, C. F. Weilbacher; Service Officer, A. G. Klein; Employment Officer, C. L. Volkert; Athletic Officer, Earl G. Parrott; Bugler, A. C. Metter; and Sergeant-at-arms, George Stemler. , In 1921 the same officers were re-elected. During the first year there were fifty-six members enrolled, bringing the total membership to eighty. , In the past fifty years Columbia Post No. 581 has grown from a membership of twenty-four to its present membership of three hundred and ten. The increase in membership was due to World War II, the Korean conflict and now the Vietnam conflict.