Nov. 19 reception celebrates American Legion Post 20 centennial

 

National Press Club members, especially veterans, and spouses/guests, are invited to a reception on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of American Legion Post 20. The post has been affiliated with the Club since its inception.

Registration for the event can be made here.

Post 20 has an illustrious pedigree. It was started at the suggestion of famed World War I General John “Black Jack” Pershing, who commanded the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in Europe. Serving in Washington after the war, Pershing was an associate member of the Club. Post 20 received its initial American Legion charter on Nov. 19, 1919. It originally had nicknames like “the Pershing Post” and the “Black Jack Post” in honor of Pershing.

The American Legion itself was founded in March 1919, by members of the AEF still stationed in Europe awaiting passage home after the end of WW I. Post 20 was one of the first group of posts nationwide to be chartered by the American Legion.

During WW II Post 20, hosted Saturday canteens at the Club for service members in D.C. It was at one of these in February 1945 that then-Vice President Harry Truman stopped by and played a few tunes on the piano. Also on hand that day was young actress Lauren Bacall, whose press agent suggested she hop up on the piano for a publicity photo. The photo was a huge hit nationwide; the piano still stands in the Truman Lounge.

The post’s past commanders include longtime Washington reporter and McClendon News Service founder Sarah McClendon, who served in the Army during World War II, and former Club President John Cosgrove, a WW II Navy veteran. Both have Club rooms named after them; Post 20 meets regularly in the McClendon Room.