General Post History
Stallings-Williams Post #206 was granted a temporary charter by the National Headquarters of the American Legion on September 25, 1946, with 47 names on the roster. We have been serving the veterans community ever since. Our membership is currently over 800. We have a very active American Legion Auxiliary (Department 206) and a great Sons of the American Legion (Squardon 206). The Legion, Auxiliary, and the SAL combine to make a strong membership group and a very active post.
The name “Stallings-Williams”, was chosen from two servicemen of the area, who gave their lives in the service of their country. During World War II, James Franklin Stallings, born July 5, 1923, son of Morris E. and Molly Ward Stallings, was lost in action over Holland on September 22, 1944 while serving in the 82nd paratrooper Division. Jesse Whittier Williams, born May 25, 1917 at Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Son of William S. and Anna M. Williams, was lost in defense of his country on August 17, 1944 in France.
American Legion 100th Anniversary Video
Article written by: Legionnaire Orville Wilkerson
Submitted by: Legionnaire Dennis Bowling
Stallings-Williams Post #206 was granted a temporary charter by the National Headquarters of the American Legion on September 25, 1946, with 47 names on the roster.
The name was chosen from two servicemen of the area, who gave their lives in the service of their country. During World War II, James Franklin Stallings, born July 5, 1923, son of Morris E. and Molly Ward Stallings, was lost in action over Holland on September 22, 1944 while serving in the 82nd paratrooper Division. Jesse Whittier Williams, born May 25, 1917 at Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Son of William S. and Anna M. Williams, was lost in defense of his country on August 17, 1944 in France.
The first Post Commander was R. Jesse Chaillet, who also was the first Life Member of the Post. During the years 1946 – 1948, we held meetings at the Town Hall and the Firehouse in North Beach, Maryland.
During the years 1949 – 1950, we rented a building at 3rd Street and Bay Avenue, North Beach, Maryland from Gus Basiliko. In June 1953, with the help of Mrs. Emma Ewald, we purchased a house at 3rd Street and Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach, Maryland – next door to Ma Brown’s Store. The purchase price of the house was $3,841.68 including all settlement cost. After 5 years we realized that the house was too small, so in April 1958 we sold the house to Pop Brown (owner of Ma Brown’s Store).
The money from this sale was put into a building fund. During the period of time, April 1958 to July 1965, meetings were held in various places including the Town Hall at Chesapeake Beach, MD. Tommy Outmans Restaurant, Claude Cary’s Restaurant and the Alta Hotel.
On November 15, 1963, we put a $100.00 deposit down on the property we now own (3 acres), which was owned by Preston and Mary King. On January 31, 1964, we purchased the property for $1,000.00 per acre, total price $3,049.10 including the settlement cost. At this time the building fund had accumulated to $7,500.00. Then came the job of clearing the property, grading and putting in the driveway. This work was done by George Catterton. Questionnaires were submitted to all members for the type building they desired. When the questionnaires were returned and counted, the majority was for the type of original building, 40′ x 60′, two levels.
In May 1964, we received a loan from Maryland National Bank at Owings, MD with the aid of Mr. Frank Bowen and Mr. Winfield Hutchins for $10,000.00. On June 19, 1964 work began on digging the basement. The masonry work began July 12, 1964. The masonry work was the only labor charges, the rest of the building was completed with volunteer help, with Commander Wes Morgan heading the construction.
After the roof was completed, meetings were held in the basement. About this time, we found out the $10,000.00 we borrowed was not enough to complete the building. So an additional $4,000.00 was borrowed from Maryland National Bank. By this time, the building fund had grown to $11,000.00, with this and the $14,000.00 that was borrowed. The building was complete for a little under $25,000.00, including the cost of the property, clearing the land, grading and excavating.
First event held at the Post was a dance on November 19, 1966. Made $621.10.
First Oyster/Bull Roast – November 9, 1969 made $2,170.50.
First Department Executive Committee Meeting – February 8, 1976.
Dedication of the Post home – May 30, 1976 Gerald Jackson, Post 206 Commander; Charles St.Clair, Department Commander; Tal Carawan, Southern Maryland District Commander; Austin Stanley, Calvert County Commander; Louis Goldstein, Comptroller of Maryland; Edward Hall, State Senator (Calvert County); Bernie Fowler, President Calvert County Commissioners; Edward Stallings and wife Hazel, brother of James Stallings assisted in ribbon cutting ceremony. The above mentions, plus many members and friend attended.
Enclosed Balcony – November 1970 / January 1971 Approx. $3274.80
Addition to original building
Dug basement approx. – 7/24/72
Poured concrete – 8/7/72
Poured Basement floor – 10/2/72
Walker laid block – 10/6/72
Problem with Town over block
Walker completed block & Brick 12/6/73
Raised Truss – 12/15/73
Hardwood floor week of 3/10/74
Insulation 3/17/74
Tile 3/19/74
Paneling 3/30/74
Ceiling 8/10/74
Est. $25,000.00
Basement entrance/ Upper parking Oct./Nov./Dec./ 1976 Approx. $8,412.57
Enclosing Porch & Pit/ plus fans July – Nov. 1978 Approx. $10,440.31
Upstairs Restrooms Oct. 1976 – April 1977 Approx. $17,158.21
Installed smoke eater upstairs 12/20/75 $2,685.00
Installed speaker and mike upstairs 1/24/76 $1,000.00
Installed central air condition system 9/9/76 $25,950.00 by Climate makers, Prince Frederick, MD
Paved parking lot 7/18/78 $14,610.00
Drilled well 9/26/75 $2,900.00 by W.S. Ward
Drilled well 6/1/78 $2,942.62 by W.S. Ward
Trap club held shoots on the parking lot (upper level) from Feb. 1966 to March 1972. Received complaints from residents, sold trap Sept. 1, 1972.
For God & Country
Orville Wilkerson
(Orville Wilkerson was a member of the Post for more than 50 years)
* Anyone with articles, pictures, a story, or any information regarding Post 206, please let us hear from you. We are trying to recap the history of our organization. Contact the post historian via email at: historian@md-post206.org. I can include your information in the next edition.
Patriotic Days
MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the Chesapeake Beach community, the goal of every Veteran to it’s last man is to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead of all of the wars of the country; and all graves are decorated on this National Holiday.
ARMISTICE DAY, now called VETERANS’ DAY, originally marked the end of fighting in World War I. It is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all Veterans.
Each year on November 11th the Post holds a Veterans Day Ceremony at Chesapeake Beach Veterans Memorial Park.
Scholarships and Community Projects
American Legion Post 206 sponsors various scholarships for the further education of our children. We also sponsor and financially assist many worthy community projects and programs initiated by the National American Legion.
Join Us and Keep this History Alive