Don Reber, commander of VFW 8971, delivered the following speech to the Eunice Rotary Club on Wednesday and Eunice Kiwanis Club on Thursday.
The Legacy of the American Legion Home in Eunice
By Don Reber
VFW Post 8971 commander
As we reach the end of the 125th year of Eunice, I look back at the role of the American Legion and its contribution to this city.
Eunice was chartered as a village on Sept. 12, 1894, and incorporated as a town on June 4, 1895.
The American Legion organization was founded on March 15, 1919, at the American Club near Place de la Concorde in Paris, France, by members of the American Expeditionary Forces, and it was chartered on Sept. 16, 1919, by the U.S. Congress. Eunice was 25 years old.
The American Legion post in Eunice was conceived by a few World War 1 veterans who desired to continue their association and comradeship under the principles, ideals and purposes of the American Legion. They realized too, that by binding themselves together and bringing other veterans into the folds of a veterans organization they could render incalculable service to their community, state and nation. In the beginning the post was meager and small. There was no meeting place except a barren, rented hall and the members were only sufficient in number to secure a charter. On May 17, 1926, a charter was issued to the Robert Turner Post 129 of Eunice. Eunice was 32 years old.
In the beginning of 1927, the membership was increased and the work of the Legion was well on its way. Of particular significance is the baseball club was crowned as the Louisiana Semi-Professional Champions. The increasing number of members organized the Fourth of July celebration and on each important occasion guest speakers were presented from the department or district.
Membership continued to grow and by 1930 practically every legionnaire in the state had heard of the tremendous activities and service work rendered by the Eunice post. This was particularly true of the American Legion Day at the Tri-Parish Fair. The post had demonstrated its leadership in the community, district, state and national affairs of the American Legion.
In October 1929 the depression struck and triggered the Stock Market Crash. The entire nation was effected severely in 1930 and by 1931 it was taking its toll. The city and parish were short of money and it was feared that teachers would not be paid and schools would close early in the school year. The American Legion post ever aware of its responsibility to the community made a substantial donation to the Eunice Chamber of Commerce and began to cash script, which was paid to the local school teachers in lieu of cash when the funds of the St. Landry Parish School Board had become exhausted.
From September 1931 until December 1934 the Legion contributed more than $4,000 for community welfare and relief. Donations were made and services rendered to the Community Chest, Junior Baseball and relief. The exchanging of Louisiana highway script, the sending of sick people to Charity Hospital in New Orleans and various other community services were provided by the Legion.
In 1933 it was determined that it was time for the post to build a home. Plans were made, but it was not until 1934 that the post purchased three lots at the corner of Park Avenue and Third Street from the Knights of Columbus. Beginning July 4th ceremonies lasted two days and the cornerstone was laid for a new building. The building was completed on Dec. 22, 1934, and on December 23rd the department commander, national representatives and state officials dedicated the new Legion Home. Eunice was 40 years old.
On Sept. 6, 1935, the first of many public dances was held at the post home. Admission was $1.50 a couple. Music was provided by Judd Scott and his Orchestra.
In June 1936 a “Typhoon Cooling System” was added to the home. This brought the total investment for the home to $25,000.
The Legion continued its work but on the “day of infamy”, Dec. 7, 1941, the post immediately recognized its responsibilities imposed by the commencement of the WW2. A branch of the United Service Organizations was housed in the post home. A Veterans Information Center was inaugurated with the sponsorship of the American Legion, the Eunice Chamber of Commerce and City of Eunice. This center served and facilitated the soldiers during the war and the returning veterans after the war.
After WW2, the complexion of the post somewhat changed in that new faces and new blood came into the post. Veterans of WW2 joined and as a result WW2 commanders and executive committees were elected. The membership reached a peak of 384 members. In the style of their predecessors, the WW2 Legionnaires continued every phase of Legion work and in addition outfitted one of the finest rifle squads in the state, to pay tribute and homage to the returning war dead.
On May 22, 1971, the American Legion donated the Post home to the city of Eunice at a value of $40,000 to be used by the city with the stipulation that the building would be returned to the American Legion should the city stop using it. The American Legion has long since quit using the building for their meetings and currently borrows the Veterans of Foreign Wars home on Highway 190 for their meetings. On Sept. 10, 2019, the city of Eunice voted to return the building to the American Legion Post. The building has served the city in many capacities over the years and currently houses the Food Bank.
The building is now in need of extensive restoration if it is to remain a jewel of the city. The American Legion is not financially able to achieve this on their own and they are currently in the process of selecting a new owner who can restore it faithfully and honor those WW1 veterans who had the vision to build it. An honorable restoration is estimated to cost in the neighborhood of $100,000 just for the exterior and landscape. Final cost could run between $500,000 and $1,200,000 depending on final use for a complete restore. Suggestions have ranged from mixed use, offices and/or condominiums.
The American Legion desires to see the building restored and become the catalyst for economic development for downtown Eunice. We have to find the right person to do this and not put it in the hands of someone who would rather demolish it and build something new. We have seen what happens when historical building are destroyed and replaced by modern buildings such as the beautiful City Hall that was destroyed in 1982.
This building deserves the respectful restoration and to keep its place with the city as a place of honor for those few WW1 veterans and all the rest of the veterans who have served their community. The city is 125 years old, the American Legion building is 85 years old.
God bless the City of Eunice, the American Legion Building and God bless America.
Don Reber is a life member of the American Legion and commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Thanks to R. Nolan Moosa (deceased), Alma Reed and Vann Reed for historical information.
