By Anna Milks
July 21, 1991
When I was asked to write a history of Read-Osborne Post 531, I had no idea what a job I was undertaking. The more I talked to people, the more research I did, the more convinced I became that I couldn’t tell our story in one short article. I am going to be as brief as I can, and if I forget someone’s favorite memory or someone’s name, please forgive me. Some Post records were lost so some of my information is sketchy. If anyone can fill in names or dates, etc., give me the information and I will add it to the record.
The Post was founded in November, 1946 by a group of World War II veterans who felt a need to belong to and organization such as the American Legion. Most of them and their families lived in the Copemish area and surrounding townships. The first meetings were held in a building owned by Estle and Anna Milks. This building was once a studio where Mr. Armstrong had a photography business. Later, they met in the Copemish Council Rooms where facilities were better. The men began to dream of a Post Home of their own. Headed by Cass Zabik, the thirty-three members set out to make their dream come true.
The Post was named for two local young men who gave their lives in the service of their country in World War II. One of them was Pvt. Loren Read, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Loren Read, of Cleon Township. Pvt. Read entered the army in March, 1943, and was assigned to the Medical Corps as First Aid Man and Medical Aid Man. In July, 1944, he was sent to Hawaii. He was in the invasion of Leyte, where on November 4, 1944, he gave his life going to the aid of a wounded comrade. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. His parents received a letter of condolence from General Douglas MacArthur.
The other was Lt. George Osborne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Osborne, also of Cleon Township He entered the Air Corps in January, 1943. In October, 1944, he was assigned to the 15th Air Force and was sent to Italy. He was in air raids on aircraft and tank factories in Germany, the Styx Ball-Bearing Works, and the Ploesti oil fields. He lost his life when his plane was shot down over Austria. Lt. Osborne was awarded the Distinguished Unit Badge and one Bronze Cluster. His group twice received the Presidential Citation for outstanding performance of duty.
With the help of Merritt Corbiss, and organizer for the 9th District and Mr. Holly, Commander of Manistee Post 10, the new post became a reality. It was officially Read-Osborne Post 531. Now, a building was needed and they set out to build one. Headed by Cass Zabik, the thirty-three Charter members went to work.
The work began on a shoestring, with little money, much enthusiasm, and plenty of hard work. The men obtained CCC buildings from Wellston, tore them apart, and sold the lumber to get money to build their Post Home. All labor was donated and people who owned a truck or other equipment loaned them to the veterans. People gave money, time, and labor. It seemed as if everyone wanted to help. Cleon Township and the Village of Copemish each donated $500.00. People say Springdale Township gave $500.00 also. I have tried, but so far haven’t been able to verify that.
With money thus obtained, construction was begun on ground donated by Elton Dinger. Originally, a full basement was dug and then partly filled in for lack of money to buy extra blocks and cement. The building was put into use about 1948. That summer, the Auxiliary was formed. The first organizational meeting was held at the home of Vera Rogers in Thompsonville, with Pearl Holly of Manistee who helped us in many ways.The meeting was attended by Audrey Hysell, Bea Doneth, and me. Our first officers were:
President - Anna Milks
Secretary - Audrey Hysell
Treasurer - Vera Rogers
Historian - Beatrice Doneth
There were at this time twenty-six Charter Members.
The Auxiliary lost no time going to work to help the men raise badly needed funds. While they sold raffle tickets, held family dances, and made a dollar wherever they could, the women worked in the lunchroom at the dances, produced plays, served dinners and chili suppers, held box socials, and so on. Those were days of hard work and real dedication.
There was a time when this hall had a tile floor laid over cement. When people danced, moisture came up through the tile, loosened the wax and created a muddy, slippery mess. People slipped and skidded around, but no one seemed to mind because they were having a good time. When the problem continued, a hardwood floor was laid.
Once the Auxiliary, a bunch of rank amateurs, produced a three act play. After weeks of rehearsal, we were ready for the big night. We had problems with acoustics because we had no ceilings, but we did our best. Things went well for a bit, but then it started to rain, and the noise of the rain on the tin roof made it impossible for us to be heard. As I remember, we gave the play again in the school gym. I don’t believe we made a lot of money on that project! We had a basement kitchen where the women sold lunches at the dances. Our water supply was a pitcher pump in another room, and we had to go to Thompsonville for ice to cool the pop we sold. Our sink drain was a pail we emptied out back, which was where the outdoor plumbing facilities were located.
The creed of the Legion and Auxiliary is service to others. The Auxiliary sells poppies every year. These poppies are made by veterans who are hospitalized. We buy poppies from them and they use the money for little things they may need. For many, it is the only money they can earn. If a veteran is too disabled to make poppies, his family is allowed to help him. The money we receive from the poppies when we sell them is used to help disabled veterans and their families.
In the 1960’s the Auxiliary began to run Bingo games. As time went on, it became a good source of income for us. We held our games on Friday nights; later, men started their Sunday afternoon Bingo games. It now became easier to pay the bills , to improve the building, and to increase our investment in the lives of people in trouble. We began to spend money in schools as well. We help anyone who is in distress because of accident, illness or misfortune. That is the creed of the Legion and Auxiliary.
We spend money on:
Little League Boys and Girls Baseball
4-H Projects
Children’s Christmas Parties
Boys and Girls State
Otter Lake Children’s Home
Medical Research - Cancer, etc.
Red Cross - United Fund, etc.
Christmas Baskets for the Needy
In addition, our building is maintained year-round as a Community Building. We have improved the building and the parking lot. We have a well-equipped kitchen, clean, attractive restrooms, and tables and chairs in plentiful supply. The hall is used for clas reunions, various meetings, and Christmas parties for children and adults. It is also available for EMT classes, Scout meetings, etc. At one time, our hall and Bingo equipment were used by firemen to earn money for a new fire truck.
Speaking of Bingo, once an Auxiliary project, it is now also the Legion’s main source of income. Our volunteer workers are not paid. Our Bingo funds are used for community service projects. Out of Bingo has come a project dear to me, our Scholarship Program. Having been a teacher, I value education and have been in charge of the Scholarship Program from the beginning. Our eldest son, Herb, at the time Principal at Maple City-Glen Lake Schools, suggested to me that we start a scholarship program. He helped me set it up so that I could avoid probles or pitfalls. Then, I was lucky enough to have a good committee to help me. This committee consists of Edna Chandler, Alice Dixon, and Gloriette Drobena. They are able, faithful helpers and they have never let me down.
Beginning in 1979, our Bingo netted enough money to enable us to award three scholarships of $500.00 each. To be eligible to apply, a person need only be related to a veteran of the United States Armed Forces.
To date, counting the 1991 school year, we have invested more than $50,000.00 in education. By we, I mean the Auxiliary and the Legion who have been helping us since they began their Sunday afternoon Bingo. We have helped educate - Teachers, Nurses, Social Workers, Secretaries, Mechanics, Engineers of all kinds, Public Relations People, an Artist, a Chemist, an Optometrist, an Architect, and a Psychiatrist.
Memorial Day is a special day for us. Our men are up at dawn, raising Colors at the Post and the Post Office. They then go to surrounding towns and to cemeteries where they repeat the service. They are there in any weather to attend the funeral of any serviceman. I have stood and watched these men, most of them no longer young, and as the sound of Taps echoed through the air, I have always been so proud. They will repeat the ritual, no matter what the weather, for any veteran whose family requests it.
AUXILIARY CHARTER MEMBERS
Kathryn Ashcraft
Catherine Baughman
Sarah Baughman
Ollamae Bower
Bertha Cribbs
Barbara Cribbs
La Neah Cheylava
Gladys Dinger
Vivian Dinger
Goldie Dinger
Beatrice Doneth
Mary Egan
Lillian Finan
Audrey Hysell
Anna Milks
Della Milks
Lena Milliron
Eva Romsek
Genevieve Read
Vera Rogers
Alice Scarbrough
Malvina Scarbrough
Vivian Scarbrough
Mary Terwilliger
Mary Thompson
Pearl Williams
PAST AUXILIARY PRESIDENTS
1948 Anna Milks
1949 Anna Milks
1950 Anna Milks
1951 Beatrice Doneth
1952 Audrey Hysell
1953 Vera Rogers
1954 Lois Brown
1955 Beverly Smith
1956 June Smith
1957 Alice Scarbrough
1958 Bertha Cribbs
1959 Bertha Cribbs
1960 Betty Skurski
1961 Mae Fitzner
1962 Lois Brown
1963 Gene Pawlak
1964 Ruby Collins
1965 Ivora Crane
1966 Ivora Crane
1967 Rita Carpenter
1968 Vivian Dinger
1969 Sarah Baughman
1970 Betty Skurski
1971 Barbara Usher
1972 Barbara Usher
1973 Barbara Usher
1974 Lois Brown
1975 Rita Russell
1976 Rita Russell
1977 Rita Russell
1978 Rita Russell
1979 Audrey Hysell
1980 Audrey Hysell
1981 Lois Foucart
1982 Mabel Cole
1983 Manel Cole
1984 Lillian Overmyer
1985 Elsie Krimm
1986 Dorothy Hill
Jackie Isbell
1987 Vivian Dinger
1988 Mable Cole
1989 Mable Cole
1990 Edna Chandler
1991 Edna Chandler
1992 Virginia Kocher
POST CHARTER MEMBERS
Casimir Zabik
Elton Dinger
Max Bargerstock
Floyd Bower
George Doneth
Gordon Doneth
William Romsek
John Abshire
Wallace Humphrey
Earl Holmes
Donald Dinger
Paul Egan
Patrick Baughman
Otis Conrad
Estle Milks
Konstanty Borkowski
Harold Hysell
David Bower
Hubert Milks
Bernard Dobryzinski
Harold Flynn
Charles Mlcek
Alvin Selander
James O’Neal
Charles Cribbs
Lawrence Smith
Winston Crow
John H. Doneth
Theodore Rudman, Jr.
George Cheylava
Henry Chandler
Theodore Somero
John L. Romsek
PAST POST COMMANDERS
1947 Casimir Zabik
1948 Harry Rogers
1949 Harry Rogers
1950 Ervin Baughman
1951 Frank Haynes
1952 Harry Rogers
1953 L.C. Smith
1954 Paul Drobena
1955 William B. Dixon
1956 John Romsek
1957 Ray Brown
1958 Herb Kellogg
1959 Harry Rogers
1960 William Dunham
1961 Elton Dinger
1962 Harold Kransi
1963 Robert Ewing
1964 Howard Williams
1965 Walter Edwards, Jr.
1966 Lawrence Ketchum
1967 Llewellyn Crane
1968 Tracy Windrim
1969 Elton Dinger
1970 Herb Kellogg
1971 Robert Ewing
1972 Ray Dunn
1973 Robert Kellogg
1974 Arthur Clous
1975 Maynard Elliott
1976 Don Kellogg
1977 Robert Kellogg
1978 Russell Smith
1979 Ken Ramsay
1980 Leo Foucart
1981 Henry Chandler
1982 John Vondra
1983 Don Winchell
1984 Charles Vondra
1985 Don WInchell
1986 Henry Chandler
1987 Leonard Pierce
1988 Ken Wood
1989 Russell Smith
1990 William Spoor
1991 Charles Crane
