POST HISTORY
The American Legion was established when President Woodrow Wilson approved an Act of Congress on 16 September, 1919. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., is recognized as the "Father of the American Legion" as his actions to create an organization to help protect returning Veterans from WW-I resulted in the only group who were dedicated enough to proceed with a formalization process
The Arkansas Department of the American Legion was the first in the United States and was incorporated as an organization on 12 May, 1919 before the National organization was formed later that year by an Act of Congress. The Arkansas Department was again incorporated by the General Assembly in 1929 and is now operating under that charter.
Application for an American Legion Post for Rogers, Arkansas was filed on 15 December, 1919 and the initial charter as Post 100 was issued on 29 September, 1920. Articles of incorporation were filed on December 8, 1933.
The Post was named after William Minter Batjer, a Corporal in the Infantry who was killed in action at Cantingy, France on 17 June, 1918. He was the Son of Mr. W.F.D. Batjer, who came to Rogers, Arkansas from Abilene, Texas in 1911. Corporal Batjer was the first soldier from Benton County, Arkansas to be killed in action in World War I. We, the members Of Post 100, are honored to belong to the Post named after Cpl. William M. Batjer.
The 1920s and 1930s saw the Post grow to be a leader in The Rogers community for veterans and community service. The American Legion's focus is on service to the Veteran, to their families and to the youth of the community. The local Posts receive no funding from State or National American Legion organizations and must conduct "fund raisers" to support their charitable activities. This policy remains in effect today!
The onset of World War II in 1941 found American Legion Post 100 as the rallying point for war-related community activities. The Legion was comprised of WW I veterans and those WW II veterans returning from the war as wounded or disabled. Complete willingness to contribute in every way to the war effort was manifested throughout Legion members, their spouses and their children. Activities from scrap metal and War Bond drives to organizing air raid wardens were undertaken by Legionnaires. Post WW II activities showed the local American Legion Post a leader in improving veterans benefits through actions with Arkansas's members of Congress.
The 1950s were ushered in by the Korean "Police Action". Once again, the Nation was unprepared for war and the American Legion became the center of community actions to support the war effort. The Post continued its efforts through our Federal representatives to strengthen the Veterans Administration and to improve benefits to those who had earned them. Communism was overtaking the world and most of Europe and Asia was in its grasp. The Legion founded The Americanism Program to help teach school age children the values of freedom and how those freedoms were gained. The phrase "illegal drugs" entered the American vocabulary and the Legion responded with "drug awareness" programs.
The 1960s and 1970s were engulfed with the Vietnam War. America became fractured over the war with much of the anti-war movement being managed and funded by The Communist Party USA and the Soviet Union. The Veterans found themselves despised by many of the so called "left" and unlike previous wars, much of their plight went unnoticed by the American people and many in Congress. Post 100 worked closely, and continue to work today, with the V.A hospital in Fayetteville, AR to provide care and services to the Vietnam era veterans who were "forgotten". In January, 1977, our new "Hut" at 711 West Persimmon St. was initially occupied and continues to be the home of Post 100. The Northwest Arkansas Honor Guard was formed by Post 100 in February, 1975 to provide full Military Honors to deceased Veterans at the time of their burial or entombment. The Honor Guard also provides ceremonial rituals for National holidays at public events and schools.
The 1980s saw the beginning of the 'War on Terror". The American Legion offers the veterans of the War On Terror the same support as always. Post 100 becomes more active with the VA Hospital in helping out the new influx of veterans. American Legion Baseball is in full swing and the Rogers team does well in local and State tournaments. Post 100 sponsors Boy Scout Troop 49 and is very proud of their accomplishments. A "Job Service" is established for Veterans and approximately 1,136 Vets were placed in jobs. The American Legion places increased emphasis on Children and Youth Programs and Post 100 is among the most active within the Department of Arkansas on many programs. Boys/Girls State is in full swing and the Rogers area is well represented by many capable young men and women from our High Schools. The American Legion becomes heavily involved in "anti flag desecration" legislation, however the Arkansas State Legislature fails to pass the measure. The term "Liberalism" is added to our vocabularies.
The 1990's saw Post 100 fund raising activities expand to a "Deli Night" and the Auxiliary had rummage sales which were huge successes. TOUR AIDE was launched from Post 100 and has become an annual event for the Northwest District of Arkansas. The Honor Guard was very active in conducting Military funerals for deserving veterans in the area. Operation Desert Storm is launched in 1991 and a new wave of war veterans are now in need of assistance. Post 100 becomes ever more active in the assistance given to the VA Hospital in Fayetteville. 1994 sees the launch of our monthly "Pancake Breakfast" which will be one of our fund raising mainstays. Also,The Sons of the American Legion (SAL) chapter is activated at Post 100 in 1994. Post 100 began conducting flag etiquette and Americanism classes in the
Rogers Public Schools. Our efforts in raising money for the expansion of the National Cemetery in Fayetteville are showing good results. In 1996 the Post went "NO SMOKING" and has remained that way. The Desert Storm Justice Foundation was founded in Rogers to help returning vets with any legal matters they might have. In 1998, Post 100 conducted the initial Memorial Day ceremonies at the Rogers Cemetery and the tradition continues today.
The new century brought modernization to the kitchen to include new stoves and a new stainless steel sink. We also upgraded our electrical service and air conditioner/heater. An addition was added to the "Hut" for an office and a store room. Our Nation was attacked by Islamic radicals on September 11, 2001 and our country was at War. Once again the American Legion was at the forefront of the community in providing service to Veterans and their families. Our participation at the VA Hospital in Fayetteville increased as wounded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan arrived for treatment. The Northwest Arkansas Honor Guard played an expanded role in the community conducting classes on Americanism, flag etiquette and providing ceremonial Color Guards for many events. The monthly "pancake breakfast" became the monthly "biscuits and gravy" breakfast and has become a mainstay event in Northwest Arkansas. The American Legion Auxiliary increased in membership and has once again became involved in American Legion activities. We fought and won a battle with Benton County over property taxes as we finally received our exemption notice from the County Assessor's office.
