Post No. 42's origins date back to 16 November 1922 when L. E. White wrote the first letter to State Commander Celora M. Stoddard advising him of the situation at Grand Canyon and expressing a desire to form a post. Little time was lost as The John Ivens Post No. 42 of the American Legion officially organized on 19 January 1923. Able assistance with the initial ceremony arrived in the form of officers from the Frank Perkins Post of the American Legion located at Winslow, Arizona. Post Commander Lieberman. 1st Vice Commander Kleindeinst, 2nd Vice Commander Grattan, and Sergeant At Arms Meader brought and presented the colors at the ceremony.
CHARTER MEMBERS INITIATED AT THE CEREMONY
Bolton, G. C. Clarkson, R. C. Copeland, V D. Ennis, E. M. Francey, R. E. Gilliland, R. P. Harbin, A. E.
Keen, V I. Kennedy, L. F. Kolb, E. C. Madden, M. F. McCullough, F. E. McLean, L. W.
McKinstry, C. E. Reed, R. E. Waterbury, E. S. White, L. E. Williams, R. H. Woodworth, A. H.
FIRST OFFICERS ELECTED
Commander McLean, L. W.
1st Vice Commander Francey, R. E.
2nd Vice Commander Kolb, E. C.
Adjutant Keen, V I.
Sergeant At Arms Ennis, E. M.
Finance Officer White, L. E.
Chaplain Harbin, A. E.
Historian Woodworth, A. H.
On receipt of a letter of confirmation for the organization of The John Ivens Post, State Commander Stoddard telegraphed the following:
Accept the sincere congratulations of Department Headquarters of The American Legion upon the advent of yourself and other buddies into the greatest American organization on earth The American Legion. It is my pleasure to welcome you most heartily and let the ideals and principals of true Americanism be the foundation of your organization.
signed: Celora Stoddard
