American Legion Post 91
The John Repsdorf Post 91 received its national organizational charter on November 21, 1919.
On Oct. 28, 1919, the veterans of the Great War from New Salem held an organizational meeting at the Rex Theater for the purpose of organizing an American Legion Post in New Salem, to designate a name for the post and to name a representative to accept a charter if issued. Upon motion, Philip Blank was appointed acting chairman and John Wicker as secretary until a regular meeting could be held for the election of officers.
The first regular meeting was held November 11, 1919, with 37 charter members. It was moved and seconded that the name of the post would be the John Repsdorf Post 91 in honor of John Repsdorf, who was the first soldier from New Salem to lose his life in France in World War I.
Since then, Post 91 has been welcoming Veterans from all branches of our Armed Forces. Today, we continue to welcome all military personnel serving our country. Joining our Post enables you to continue serving your God, Country and Community. Our mission is to implement the goals, aspirations, dreams, peace and blessings for our country, friends and families embodied in our preamble below.
"For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a 100-percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness."
