| In October of 1946, with the memories of Pearl Harbor
and the ravages of World War II still fresh in their minds, a
small group of 22 veterans from the Sykesville area met at the
fire hall to discuss obtaining a charter for a new American
Legion Post. Led by James A. Stewart, some others in attendance
were William Brandenburg, Carl H. Wishart, Warfield Ridgley,
Lee O. Warfield, Louis E. Rosier, Edwin Beall, Nathan Hobbs,
and J. Richard Gardner. By January, 1947, the Sykesville
American Legion Post 223 was chartered with 135 members. The
members continued to meet at the fire hall until the
construction of a permanent Post home.
In 1952, Edward Arrington donated the property on Slacks
Road to the Legion for the construction of a permanent Post
home.
With the contribution of all the members who volunteered
their time and effort, the original Post building was completed
in 1953. In addition, local contractors donated much of the
labor and material. William E. Trayer donated plumbing, Albert
Hawkins and Francis Manner did the heating, and Norman Dixon
supervised carpentry and masonry. Baltimore contractors poured
the concrete floor. Albert Lewis along with volunteer help
constructed the roof trusses. Francis Glass and Merrill Keffer
took care of all the carpentry trim work inside the building.
A photo from the 1955
Installation of Officers Ceremony.
Over the ensuing years, a number of alterations and
improvements were made to the Post home. In 1986, a new
pavilion was built and the annual 4th of July picnic is held
there. This event is free to all Post members who pay their
dues that day, for the upcoming year.
In 1989, an additional acre of land was purchased from
the Arrington family for the purpose of enlarging the Post
home. A building committee was formed, plans for the addition
and renovations were approved, financing was arranged, a
construction manager was hired and contractors were selected. A
groundbreaking ceremony was held in February of 1992. In 1993,
the improvements and expansion of the Post were completed.
Every member that participated in bringing this building to
life can be proud of what was accomplished for the benefit of
our current and future members.
In 2005, further renovations to the Post were made to
expand the Lounge and storage in the Hall. These renovations
were completed in 2006 and constitute the Post Home as it is
today.
As Sykesville Memorial Post 223 commemorates its 60th
anniversary in 2007, we look back on our past
accomplishments-adhering to standards set by both the National
American Legion and of the Department of Maryland. We're proud
of our involvement with the American Legion's programs,
including our participation in the National Oratorical Contest,
our contributions to the National Emergency Fund, and more. At
the Department level, our involvement with Camp WestMar, with
Boys State, and with many other Departmental programs is a
further source of pride
Does the camaraderie and commitment of the original
charter members still exist? We believe it does, as this is the
binding force that has made the Sykesville American Legion as
great as it is today. The commitment and dedication of our
members continues today as evident by the donation of hundreds
of hours of volunteer effort by our members in support of the
Post and, most importantly, our community.
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