American Legion post celebrates 100 years

Northville’s American Legion post after it was renovated post WWII.

Service & Patriotism Northville’s American Legion marks 100-year milestone

By Michele Fecht

If not for a global pandemic, the celebration of Northville’s Lloyd H. Green Post 147 centenary would likely be under way. Instead the local American Legion post is hoping to mark the milestone with an event in September, according to post commander Daron Underwood. In addition to the local post’s 100th anniversary, this month also marks the 75th anniversary of V-J Day (Victory over Japan) signaling the end of World War II.

To add to the list, 2020-21 also marks the 75th anniversary of the completion of the Post’s headquarters —named Veteran’s Memorial Hall — at the corner of Dunlap and North Center. The building partially opened in July 1945 with final completion the following year.

THE LEGION TODAY

The Northville American Legion named its post after Lloyd H. Green, an 18-year-old courier in Company C of the 120th Machine Gun Battalion. He was killed in France on October 2, 1918, the only Northville casualty of World War I.

The post was formed to support servicemen returning from the Great War, and has continued that mission for all veterans and military members since its inception. The American Legion Auxiliary was established in 1925 to help veterans, military and their families. The post also supports the Sons of the Legion and the Legion Riders.

The post today has about 230 members. Finance Officer Jasper Catanzaro said the post welcomes members of all ages —both men and women — who have served Federal active duty in the United States Armed Forces since December 7, 1941 and have been honorably discharged or are still serving. You do not have to be a war veteran to join the American Legion.

Though COVID has altered the post’s programming and events such as its Wednesday Slider Nights, it is still renting out space in the headquarters building. Anyone interested in membership in the American Legion or renting space in the facility can contact the post at (248) 349-1060.

VETERAN’S MEMORIAL HALL

Having spent the first decade of its existence occupying a variety of Northville buildings for its meetings, the American Legion settled into new headquarters in 1932 at 341 East Main Street. Owned by Ford Motor Company, the company offered the American Legion use of the building for its headquarters.

The building continued to house the Legion’s headquarters — as well as a Red Cross chapter — until the property was sold in 1943. The Legion found itself in the middle of a world war without a home base. The necessity for a permanent headquarters was

never more pressing.

Legion leadership took the first step by buying the home of former Northville Record editor Frank Neal at the corner of North Center and Dunlap. Architectural plans detailed a three-story renovation including a basement with a kitchen, dining and recreation room; a first floor reception, lounge and meeting room; and a second floor to incorporate an Auxiliary meeting room and temporary barracks for returning soldiers.

Legion members turned to the community to help raise funds for the building’s restoration. Community leaders quickly went to work organizing a pledge drive to raise the $20,000 needed. More than 400 individuals, clubs and businesses answered the call by pledging $26,146 for the cause. Ray Casterline and his son Fred deeded the lot south of the Neal home to the Legion to expand the property. Despite the goodwill, completion was elusive.

On the front page of the August 17, 1945 Northville Record — only days after the Japanese surrender ending World War II — an appeal for help was issued to fund the unfinished Veteran’s Memorial Hall before the deluge of servicemen returned home. Unpaid pledges and increased costs left the structure partially finished. The Legion eventually took out a $5,000 mortgage to complete the work. It was dedicated on V-J Day 1946; the organization held a mortgage burning ceremony on Armistice Day (now Veteran’s Day) in 1948.

V-J DAY

While V-E Day (Victory in Europe) was celebrated in Northville with “thoughtful silence,” the surrender of Japan on August 14, 1945 was best described by the Northville Record’s multiple headlines on its August 17th front page: “Northville Celebrates the End of the War: Community Goes Wild as End of War is Proclaimed by President Truman. Shrieking Sirens, Bells and Bedlam Breaks Loose, Celebration Continued Well After Midnight, Many Attend Church, Legion Parades Colors and Salutes Honor Roll Board, One Tavern Mars Record of Community.”

In conclusion, the Record article stated, “all in all it was great, grand and glorious. The war is over . . . the lights are on again all over the world. Universal peace after 14 years.”

“Family Owned for Four Generations”

The Casterline Family providing quality care in the heart of downtown Northville since 1937 122 West Dunlap Street Northville, Michigan 48167 (248) 349-0611 www.casterlinefuneralhome.com casterlinefuneralhome@gmail.com Courtney Casterline-Ross, Manager Lindsey Casterline-Dogonski, Manager Roxanne M. Atchison-Casterline, Owner Ray J. Casterline II – 1947-2004

Thank You Northville!

YEARS

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