POST HISTORY
The American Legion
La Mesa Post 282
In December 1919, San Diego Post 1 was organized. This Post later became San Diego Post 6. Former service members from La Mesa and the surrounding area joined the San Diego Post because it was the only American Legion Post in the county. In 1921, Sequon Post 303 in El Cajon (now El Cajon Post 303) was formed and most of the Legion members from La Mesa and this area transferred their membership to Sequon Post.
The influx of ex-service personnel to this part of the country soon made it apparent that to best serve the needs of the veterans a new Legion Post in La Mesa should be formed. So, in March 1923, LA MESA POST NO. 282 was organized. The Post was chartered June 28, 1923, by these members. Dr. Joseph A. Parks was the first commander, and was again elected commander for 1924. Dr. Parks also was elected the first commander of the San Diego County Council of the American Legion.
In the first years of its existence the Post had no home of its own. Meetings were held in store rooms, offices, churches, schools, and private homes. The membership realized a permanent home was necessary if the post was to survive. The first step toward a permanent home was done in 1925 with the purchase of the lot on which the Baptist Church now stands. During the next year the corner lot next to the first lot was purchased. 1926 was also significant in that The La Mesa Post 282 Auxiliary was organized in the spring of 1926 with Mrs. Rose Miller Parks (wife of Dr. Joseph A. Parks) as its first president.
The years 1926 and 1927 became one of the post’s most active years. The lots La Mesa Post had purchased were traded to the Baptist Church for the lot where the Legion Hall now stands. In making the transfer sufficient funds were obtained to start our own first home building. The membership worked every spare minute they had to complete their first home. Some nights workers were still sawing and hammering away at two o’clock in the morning. The thing that cheered the tired workers along was the Auxiliary serving midnight meals to all workers. The Auxiliary as well as members of the Legion worked this way for months.
During this period following World War I there were many examples of the Post taking care of veterans. During 1928-29 the Post members built a home for a disabled veteran. This veteran was not a member of The American Legion, but the membership under the advice of the service officer and the leadership of the commander realized a comrade was in need and they came to his aid. The merchants of La Mesa, hearing of this, came to the Legion’s assistance with finances for materials and a better home was built for the family of the veteran.
Dr. Joseph A. Parks, our first commander, died February 7, 1933, and our hall was named in memory of him—“Joseph A. Parks Memorial Hall.” The bronze bust of Dr. Joseph A. Parks was presented to the post by James T. Porter, the sculptor, on November 10, 1933.
During the 1936-1937 year the first La Mesa Post 282 Legion Hall was enlarged by labor donated by the members.
During year of 1941-1945, La Mesa Post 282 joined with all other American Legion Posts and other patriotic organizations in assisting the United States in its efforts in the war. Volunteers from the Legion helped in the registrations for the draft boards and in any other way they could. Civilian defense was largely set up through the Legion’s efforts. Practically all other activities were discontinued for the duration of the war, so that all energy could be given in the war effort.
At the end of the World War II, the American Legion took up the Legion program as it was before the war. With the change in the American Legion constitution in regards to the acceptance of service men and women of World War II as members’ in the American Legion it was realized that our present home would be too small for our activities. A committee was appointed to select a site for a new and larger building. This committee recommended a site on University Avenue running the entire distance between Baltimore Drive and Iroquois Street. This site was purchased and a ways and means committee was formed for the financing and erection of the new home. This is the current site of La Mesa Post 282.
The year 1946-47 was filled with efforts to raise finances for the erection of the new La Mesa 282 Post. The actual breaking of ground came in May 1947. This building became our current home.
The years following the building of our Post home saw the Nation involved in the Korean War and then in Vietnam. Membership in our Post continued to support the efforts of our service personnel in spite of sometime demoralizing public sentiment. However, a bright spot in our past occurred in 1969 when a group of local high school students formed The Heartland Youth for Decency. Lead by then-19 year old Denise Evers, these young people undertook the building of a Vietnam War Memorial, the first in the United States. Through their efforts the Memorial was completed and dedicated on June 14, 1970.
Following Vietnam and through today the La Mesa Post 282 has continued to take part in wide array of community betterment efforts and civic programs. There have been school awards to students of Grossmont High School and La Mesa Grammar Schools. Boys from Grossmont High have been sent to Boys’ State in Sacramento, with all expenses paid. Numerous other youth programs have evolved over the years, such as, traffic safety, junior baseball, boat races to publicize our community, and other activities. Some of these were developed to meet specific community needs and some of these still continue today.
La Mesa Post 282 has passed 80 years in existence. There have been increases and declines in membership as the community changes and as our older Comrades pass on. But, the La Mesa Post is still thriving, searching for new members, and helping both the community of La Mesa and the Legionnaires of La Mesa Post 282. Come join us and watch us grow!
Wonder who the Commanders of La Mesa Post 282 have been? Click here!