POST HISTORY
In October of 1999, Paul Allen called a meeting held at WCCD for the purpose of rebuilding American Legion Post 145 that was inactive for 5 years and likely to have its charter revoked. There were about 8 veterans at the meeting. Officers were elected and the Avon Town Hall became the monthly meeting place.
In September of 2000, Jim Foxworthy came to the meeting and announced that there was a permanent place to house the Post. Jim had arranged for the Post to be located in the strip mall that was in the old Monty’s grocery store lot. It only needed a little fixing up.
The facility was about 1800 square feet of space that included 3 rooms and 2 rest rooms. After inspection of this space, the members spent about 6 months gutting the area; fixing holes in the roof, rewiring entirely. As well as installing new plumbing, building a recreational area or bar, painting and installing flags on the front of the building. An incredible amount of effort was put into this building. The doors opened in March of 2001.
Life was good for 4 months when the owner of the property decided to tear the building down and redevelop the land. In July of 2001 the bulldozer demolished our Post.
Life got better when ALL Tool Rental donated the small building (pictured below) located at 377 South S.R. 267. Our Grand Opening was New Year’s Eve of 2001. There was lots of man hours put into this building, as remodeling was once again needed.
We were all very happy to have a Post again. This opened the door for a great 2002 and with the help of our members, volunteers and community, we have continued to grow.
In May of 2002 we had the dedication of our Post and flagpole which was built and donated by the late Jim Fife. It was a great day and several National, State and Local officers attended.
In 2005, we were given the opportunity to purchase the entire property that we were occupying including the bigger building (pictured below) sitting just North of us on the property.
During most of 2005, many, many man-hours were spent remodeling the building and we dedicated this new building in September of 2005. We officially moved into 375 South State Road 267 in July, 2006.
In 2011, we were notified that INDOT was going to move forward with the construction of a bridge over the CSX tracks bordering the north end of our property and our building would have to be torn down. They advised the project would begin early in 2014.
We purchased 8.5 acres on old U.S. 36 approximately a quarter mile west of the REMC facility located at 4812 East Main Street.
In the Summer of 2012, Hendricks County approved the final design blue prints of the new building. We were actively seeking contributions and most of our events were fund raising events for the New Building Fund.
In September, 2013 the first of monies was approved by the Executive Board to begin site preparation in October, 2013.
An official Ground Breaking Cermony was held on October 19th, 2013.
At the end of March, 2015 the town of Avon offered nearly $400,000 for our current property and by the first of April, 2015 we had secured our loan to begin building. Bulldozers and other heavy equipment was moved to property immediately and as of Mid-May, the foundation is ready to be poured.
On December 4, 2015 Hendricks County provided the approval to occupy our new Post and in less than a week, we closed for two days to move and reopened at the new Post on Saturday, December 12, 2015.
A Grand Opening Event took place on Saturday, May 7th 2016.
Pictured left to right: ALR Director Gary 'Whiskey' Fishel; Ladies Aux President Cheryl Hoskins;
Post Commander Mike Welsh; 6th District Executive Vice Commander Rich Culp;
Secretary of State Connie Lawson; Past National Commander Jim Koutz;
Sons of American Legion Commander George Juza; 6th District Vice Commander Bruce Curry
We welcome everyone that are members and anyone eligible to be a member to stop by. We are family.
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN LEGION
Patriotic Days
MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the Avon Community the grave of every veteran of any of the wars of the country are decorated on this National Holiday. Today, this tradition is being carried on. If one might attempt to prophecy, in an historical account, Avon's veteran organizations will carry on this tradition to its last man to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead.
ARMISTICE DAY, now called VETERANS' DAY, originally marked the end of fighting in World War One. It is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all veterans. An important tradition was established when the Post led in the memorial exercises at 11 o'clock on the morning of November 11, marking the exact hour of the cessation of hostility on the war fronts. Today, Avon Post 145 solemnly observes this tradition.
REGISTRATION OF GRAVES Since its inception Avon Post 145 has been a leader in this County in the area of graves registration, which has been incorporated by all the American Legion Posts in Hendircks County. Grave Registration enables all interested parties to locate the site of the grave of each veteran. Each year, active members of Avon Post 145 place a flag on each veteran's grave.
Avon Post 145 started a program called "AVON CARES". Four times a year we send packages to our fighting men and women in harms way containing supplies to each veteran.
SCHOLARSHIP AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS Avon Post 145 Sponsors various scholarships for the further education of our children. We also sponsor and financially assist many worthy community projects and programs initiated by the National American Legion.