American Legion Post No. 66 - DeKalb Records

The American Legion traces its origins to a meeting of members of the American Expeditionary Force held in Paris in March 1919 known as the “Paris caucus.”  This caucus was followed in May by another meeting in St. Louis and in November by the American Legion’s first national convention in Minneapolis.    Local veterans first met to discuss the formation of a DeKalb American Legion on June 6, 1919 at city hall.  An organizational committee was appointed with Thomas S. Murray as chairman.  With the assistance of Lieutenant William Knight of Rockford, the DeKalb American Legion was formally organized on June 20, 1919.  The first chairman (later Commander) was a DeKalb physician, Captain John P. Kane; the secretary was Harris M. Fisk.  Membership was open to all veterans who were in a branch of the Armed Services during wartime.  By October 1919 local membership had grown to 135 members.  The American Legion auxiliary was formed in 1920.  The DeKalb American Legion Post #66 participates in many veteran’s activities, athletic events, as well as community events.  Membership in 1984 was 425 members.

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