Arkansas Post 64 ABOUT

The history of the American Legion began March 15-17, 1919, when a caucus was held by members of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in Paris, France. The American Expeditionary Force was a formation of the United States Army on the Western Front of World War I. It was established on July 5, 1917, in France, under the command of General John J. Pershing. A second caucus was held in St. Louis, Missouri from May 8-10, 1919. There “The American Legion” was adopted as the organization’s official name and the Legion’s draft preamble and constitution were approved. The Legion Emblem was adopted on June 9, 1919.

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands at nearly 2.3 million in more than 15,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines. Over the years, the Legion has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans and produced many important programs for children and youth.

Arkansas was represented at both caucuses in 1919. The first Department Commander, J.J. Harrison was one of the signers of the Legion Congressional Charter. On May 12, 1919, Arkansas delegates who attended the St. Louis caucus filed a petition in Pulaski Circuit Court incorporating the “The American Legion.” This was the first incorporation of the organization in the United States. The Arkansas Department was again incorporated by the General Assembly of Arkansas in 1929. Current membership as of June 18, 2023 is 8218.

Saxton-Willis Post 64 of the American Legion of Heber Springs, Arkansas received its' temporary charter on August 5, 1923. The Post was named after two Cleburne County Veterans who gave their lives to defend this country during World War I. Pink Frank Saxton, born March 26, 1889 in Yuba, Arkansas, registered for the First Division. He was serving with American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in France when he was wounded on September 12, 1918. He died at Field Hospital #12 on September 14, 1918. He was buried in the French Military Cemetery in Raulecourt, Meuse, France. His remains were returned to the United States and buried in the National Cemetery in Little Rock on March of 1922.

Porter Eugene Willis was born in Heber Springs, Arkansas on November 7, 1890, and registered for the Draft on June 5, 1917. A Private with Company I, 101st Infantry Regiment of the 26th Division of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). He was wounded on October 24, 1918, near Glorieux, Verdun, France. He died in a Field Hospital on October 28, 1918. He was initially buried in Glorieux French Cemetery at Verdun Department of the Meuse. The body was removed on November 12, 1921, and sent to the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery at Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Department of Meuse, France and reburied on March 21, 1922. This is one of the permanent American military cemeteries maintained by the United States in Europe.

Purchase of the current American Legion Post 64 building was completed on January 2, 1981. It was formerly a large two room restaurant. Those two rooms were later completely renovated into the large room which is now the center of the most of the day-by-day activities of post 64. A 40’ by 80’ addition was built in the fall of 1985. Renovation and repairs continue at the Post as needed to keep up with the growth in membership.

Cleburne County, Arkansas was formed on February 20, 1883. The population as of 2015 is listed as 25,467. It is named for Confederate General Patrick Cleburne. General Cleburne was an Irish-born American soldier best known for his service in the Confederate States Army. He progressed from being a private soldier in the local militia to a division commander. He served during the civil war from 1861 to 1864 where he rose to the rank of Major General. He was killed in 1864 in the Battle of Franklin (Tennessee).

Heber Springs is the county seat of Cleburne County. It was incorporated on October 12, 1882. It has been identified as a tourist area from the beginning. Even before the town itself was formed, the area was known for its mineral springs. Since the formation of Greers Ferry Lake on the Little Red River in the early 1960’s, the town has become a popular resort for camping, boating and other water sports. As of 2022 the population of Heber Springs is reported as 7201.

Cleburne County and Heber Springs, Arkansas have seen many brave men and women sacrifice their lives for this country in the line of duty. A memorial listing the names of those killed in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the War in Iraq is located near the sidewalk in front of the Courthouse on Main Street in Heber Springs. The names of Pink Frank Saxton and Porter Eugene Willis are included. Cleburne County also erected a Monument to the Veterans of all Wars in Spring Park. The American Legion holds ceremonies at this Monument on Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year.