American Legion Post 95 was
formed in the fall of 1951 by a group of 28 veterans. They chose to honor a true American
hero by naming the post after him as the William E. Blair Post.
On Sept.
30, 1949, Capt. Blair was flying a bomber plane over Chattanooga when an engine caught
fire. He ordered his crew to bail out. Below were homes and a school in danger from the
plane's imminent crash. He chose to stay with his ship and steer it away from the
congested areas, crashing it into Missionary Ridge, near where the post bearing his name
now stands.
In
appreciation of Capt. Blair's sacrifice, residents placed a plaque honoring him at the
firehall near where he crashed. Later it was
moved to the school he spared. Ultimately, it
came to rest at Post 95 where his memory is revered.
Post 95 is a working post. From its original 28
charter members, it has grown to over 1,200. The members are a family and community
oriented group.
When East Ridge citizens worked together to build a
playground for the children, Post 95 raised $4,300 to buy "The Castle" as a
centerpiece of the playground. Post members volunteered time and labor and the project was
completed in five days.
Through the years, post commanders have brought
in new and progressive programs.
The Post 95 Band--"The Legionnaires"--is
nationally recognized. They played at the 1998 American Legion convention. They were such
a hit, the group has been invited to play again. Whenever ceremonies are held at the
National Cemetery, The Legionnaires are there. And they frequently donate their time and
services to other veteran functions.
Working within the post are an active auxiliary and a
SALs membership. The post is proud of its Honor Guard which serves at veteran funerals and
other ceremonies.
The post offers a spacious lounge with a horseshoe
bar, a meeting hall where community functions are held and post dances take place, a game
room with a free pool table, a restaurant where delicious meals are available, a smaller
meeting room and other game room facilities. Dominos
are a favorite recreation for members.
Free meals are offered members at each monthly
meeting, along with meals on select holidays. Christmas
baskets for the needy are a Christmas tradition.
A comrades in distress program offers assistance to
needy veterans.
Membership is offered to veterans with an honorable
discharge who served America during a time of national conflict. Dues are $21 annually. Auxiliary membership is for those who have a
relative with membership in the American Legion. And
the SALs membership is open to those with a relative who is a veteran.
Being a member of Post 95 is like joining a respected
and loving second family which always works for the community progress and--
For
God and Country.
2006-2007 & 2007-2008
Officers
Commander Bill Horton
1st Vice Commander Lester Norton Jr.
2nd Vice Commander Bob Lewis
Executive Committee
Bill
Norton
Steve Hemstreet
Bill McMahan
Jerry Norton
Charles Bates
Adjutant Jerry Norton
Finance Officer Jim Ratcliffe
Chaplain Lester Norton Jr.
2004-2005 & 2005-2006
Officers
Commander Bill Norton
First Vice Commander Carl Athearn
2nd Vice Commander Barbara Carter
3rd Vice Commander Bob Lewis
Executive Committee
Jim Ratcliffe
Richard Cook
Jim Antesberger
Ernie Gilliam
Ray McCallister
Finance Officer Charles Bates
Adjutant Kathy Brown
2003-2004 Officers
Commander Larry Palmer
1st Vice Commander Richard Holcomb
2nd Vice Commander Bob Lewis
3rd Vice Commander Jack Draper
Executive Committee:
Ray McAllister, Three Years
Jim Ratcliffe, Two Years
Ernest Gilliam, One Years
Avery Keesee, One Year
Jim Antesberger, One Year
Richard Cook, One Year
Trustees:
Charles Bates, Chairman
Fred Stafford
Jim Ratcliffe
Ken Wild
Hugh Wooden
Appointive Officers
To Be Announced
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