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KELSEYVILLE – It was a great time for a celebration on the evening of Feb. 25, when Tredway Post 194 of the American Legion celebrated its 90th birthday with about 75 in attendance.
Commander Jim Merriman welcomed the members and guests, including several members of the Military Funeral Honors Team of Lake County.
Bugler Boyd Green sounded Church Call and Chaplain Woody Hughes gave opening remarks, including an adaptation of Dan Valentine’s “What Is a Veteran.”
Merriman and Roy Pearson, a member since 1946, recounted some of the storied history of Tredway Post 194.
The Tredway Post was chartered with 15 members on Feb. 5, 1920, just five months after the American Legion itself was chartered.
Merriman quipped, “One of our members said ‘they weren’t fast enough to build a fence to keep us out.’”
The post was named in honor of Will Tredway, the first Lake County resident killed in World War I. Tredway was killed in action in France at the age of 21. He was buried there.
To this day, the Tredway family has a standing annual reservation for the post building on Easter weekend for a family reunion.
The original meeting site for Post 194 was in a different Kelseyville location, consisting of an open air type of covered patio. The current building was erected between 1928 and 1930.
Local men transported gravel by wagons and horse teams from a nearby creek. They then made concrete in troughs and built the sturdy structure that remains today.
Merriman said he could personally attest to the hand mixed old fashioned concrete. During expansion projects, he has cut into the thick walls, finding sticks, grass and other debris.
In 1925, the Post 194 Women’s Auxiliary was formed but did not continue. That segment of the post was revived and chartered March 1, 1969 with Betty Franklin as President. Today, local auxiliary members continue to work side by side with the Legion members.
In speaking of Past Commanders, Jim Merriman said, “It makes you want to stand tall and be proud.” He added, “To follow in their footsteps.”
American Legion Tredway Post 194 is accepting new members to the general membership and auxiliary. You may contact Commander Jim Merriman at 707-279-2411 or for auxiliary membership Tressa Merriman at 707-279-4517.
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