Kenneth
H. Nash Post 8
Kenneth
H. Nash Post 8
Washington, D.C.
The History of Post 8
On January 18, 1922 a temporary charter to form an American Legion Post was issued from the American Legion National Headquarters located in the Meridian Life Building in Indianapolis. Records indicate that many of the charter members of the post were also members of the Lebanon Lodge No. 7 of the Masonic Order. Kenneth H. Nash was a member of the Lebanon Lodge, who died of the flu during the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic (30 million people died worldwide), while on duty at Fort Meade, MD, during the latter part of that year. His fellow Masons determined to honor his memory by naming Post 8 for him. A permanent charter was issued May 25, 1922. At that time, the Post did not have a clubhouse.
During the period of 1922-1932 one of the eligibility requirements for membership in Post 8 was to be a member in good standing of a Masonic Lodge. After the dual membership requirement was removed in 1932, many veterans working in the Navy Yard were recruited into Post 8. By 1934, membership had grown from 75 to 145. The next three years, 1935-37 saw membership increase to over 300.
Meetings were held at various locations on a month to month basis during this period, and included such places as 425 G St. NW, the Old Gavel Club at 719 13th St. NW, the Old Naval Hospital, the Baca's Restaurant, and 219 Pennsylvania Avenue SE. A concerted effort to acquire a permanent location for Post 8 meetings did not occur until the latter part of 1937, when the membership agreed to pledge amounts of up to $10. Approximately 40 members made these pledges, and a committee was formed to find a spot. The committee rented a hall on the 3rd floor of 209 Pa. Ave. SE for a nominal fee, with the stipulation that the Post would perform the extensive renovations and remodeling needed. In October 1937 Post 8 held its first meeting in what was to be their permanent home for the next 10 years. Various fund-raising activities such as dances, raffles at meetings, and (in those days of yesteryear) the "one-armed bandit", along with the operation of the Post bar produced a steady stream of revenue into the savings account.
Sufficient funds were accumulated such that, when the Post was directed to vacate the premises at 209 Pa. Ave SE in 1947, they were able to purchase the present Post home. The building had originally been a feed store and stable and the floor in what is now the Back Hall was still dirt. At the time of purchase the building was home to an office furniture company, fittingly enough named "Veterans Office Furniture". After purchase, funds were not readily available for the renovations needed, so several loans were negotiated over the next few years. in 1949-50 a consolidated loan was acquired to complete the work, and since its repayment in 1956, the Post has been free and clear of debt.
Membership has always played a key role in the development of Post 8, as it does with any post, and indeed the American Legion itself. In 1966, the Post reached an all-time membership high of 755 and had an active membership as well as an active and vibrant Sons of the American Legion Squadron. Through retirement and death of our WWII members our numbers have dropped. But Post 8's membership is back on the rise and we intend that it will continue as such.
If you are eligible for membership in either Kenneth H. Nash American Legion Post 8 or Squadron 8 of The Sons of the American Legion we encourage you to join. Click here: Join Us!! or here: Join the Sons of the American Legion!! .