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On April 18, 1919, (four months after the armistice was signed ending
the fighting in the World War) the "first call" was sounded to again
assemble the men and women of Sioux City who had served their country
in uniform. In response, nearly one thousand persons appeared at the
Auditorium to signify their desire to know the meaning of the call.
Speakers there told of the great purposes of The American Legion which
was born in France some months previous. The sense of the meeting
gripped the auditors, and , after an explanation of the ideals and
principals of the Legion a motion was put before the house and passed
appointing a committee to petition the national headquarters of The
American Legion for a post charter for Sioux City.
In the months that followed the first gathering of the former warriors
there came the most welcome charter affiliating the Sioux City
organization with The American Legion. The general custom of selecting
names for the various posts was followed in the local chapter.
That custom suggests the name of the first person who gave his life on
the battlefields of France for his country to become the name of the
post in the community in which he lived. Thus the name of Edward H.
Monahan was immortalized by his former comrades in Sioux City.
Little should be stated as to the efforts of individuals in organizing
the local post. Such is not the spirit of those who enter upon a common
cause such as that which gave Monahan Post grounds for existence. The
splendid leadership and vision of most loyal men and women has guided
Monahan Post in its high endeavors through the years of its infancy.
Most commendable support and co-operation of its entire membership has
placed it in the front rank of the posts of the nation. And to the
general public of Sioux City should go a vast portion of the credit for
the high ideals which now grace the records of Monahan Post.
The preamble of the national constitution of The American Legion
provides a pattern of Americanism that well describes the purposes of
this organization of former service men and women. A b--ader, more
altruistic and unselfish association for the promotion of America's
well being does not exist. The Legion attempts to function through
the principals of democracy and guide its actions to the best interests
of the American people. Useful citizenship is taught in its activities,
and in its practices the Legion strives to do only those things that
will reflect the true American spirit that its members learned to
venerate through the patriotic ties of service under The Colors.
Many fine acts of note have gone down in the history of Monahan
Post. The most noteworthy are the impressive funeral escorts which
accompanied the bodies of Sioux City's war dead to their last resting
places --
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| '...Far from gay cities, and the ways of
men." |
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---Homer |
Under the auspices of Monahan Post there were thirty-eight funeral
escorts paying full military honors over the bodies of former comrades.
From time to time as the bodies would be received from the overseas
battlefields, the Legionnaires would form in column to pay final honors
to the heroic dead. The colors and guard, firing squad, pall bearers
and a column of men from all arms of the service would march to the
music of the Monahan Post band to the cemeteries. There the last rites
were said and the firing squads paid the final salutes. The echoing of
the bugles floated through the stilly air of the peaceful homeland when
Taps was heard -- indeed --
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| "Fades the light |
| And afar |
| Goeth day, |
| Cometh night; |
| And a star |
| Leadeth all |
| To their rest." |
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The history of Monahan Post has been an open book and chapter of public
participation, save for the matters of alms-giving and relief among
suffering ex-service men and their dependents. In this work the post
has sympathetically aided many men whose physical and mental capacities
were found to be handicapped because of injuries or sickness
experienced during the period of serving their country. In this relief
work Monahan Post has not confided its efforts to those of its
membership. All ex-service men of the city, and those who came within
the city's borders are welcome to the assistance which the post is in a
position to offer. Each application for relief is examined and passed
upon by a committee whose duty it is to assist, temporarily at least ,
those who are found to be worthy. Such acts are not made a matter of
public report. In the majority of cases the appeal to the post is made
as a last resort, and the pride of young men whose cases are many times
found to be most pitiful is given an opportunity to feel the warmth of
the bonds of comradeship.
The membership roster of the post in 1920 was 1,410. The following year
was the first year of state supremacy when the local post led the state
with a membership of 1,645. ...
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