The American Legion originated in Paris, France in March, 1919, when twenty members of the American Expeditionary Forces met to begin the task of starting a new patriotic veterans' organization.  The Legion was chartered by the United States Congress in November of the same year.

          Friendship American Legion Post 1168 received its temporary charter on October 1, 1936, and its permanent charter on November 20, 1937.  All of its original members were veterans of  World War I.  Prior to 1936, our town's veterans had belonged to Cuba Post 655, which had been founded in the early 1920s. Without a building of their own, Post 1168, with fewer than forty members total, rented rooms in the Boyle Building (a.k.a. "The White Elephant") on upper West Water Street and met there until the late 1940s.

          By the end of World War II, Friendship's Town Roll of Honor had listed just over three hundred soldiers, sailors, airmen and women. As this generation of veterans was welcomed into the Legion, the members quickly saw the need for a building they could call their own.  A large, ornate Victorian house at Depot and High Streets was chosen, and in 1949 a truly special handful of veterans graciously volunteered to put their own houses and properties up as collateral.

          Now in their new home and with membership climbing to 130, the Legionnaires and Auxiliary worked to both remodel the building and to begin paying down the mortgage.  Decked out in full Army khakis and sun helmets, the Post 1168 Drum and Bugle Corps, including a team of majorettes, appeared in parades both near and far during this era.  With the addition of Korea and Vietnam veterans, membership continued to grow through the 1960s, 70s and 80s.  As always, the Honor Guard went out on parade for Memorial Day and other patriotic occasions, and also performed the traditional funeral honors for our departed comrades. In more recent years, veterans of Lebanon-Grenada, Panama, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan have joined our ranks.    

A great many improvements have been made to our Post over the past half century.  The year 1971 saw the completion of the new Meeting Hall, office and kitchen addition.  In 1983 the lot to the east was acquired, leveled and landscaped.  Two years later the Pavilion, with its fully-equipped kitchen, was constructed.  In 2008 a second piece of land, this time on the north side of the Post, was purchased, providing room for horseshoe pits and extra parking spaces.  Today, both the Horseshoe League and its annual banquet are greatly enjoyed by many from both near and far.  In 2016, thanks to the generosity of  Korean War veteran Paul L. Cummins and friends, our new Annex was constructed and dedicated in memory of all veterans of all eras and branches.  The carriage of the 1861 Civil War ordnance rifle, the emblems of the services in the bar area, the WWII Eisenhower jacket display case, our main lecture podium, the framed photo displays in the meeting room and the large, lighted historical display cabinet - all of these beautifully rendered pieces will forever bear witness of the skill and craftsmanship of master cabinet maker Paul L. Cummins.  The Cummins family has also donated their Vietnam Era jeep which, along with the 1861 cannon, the Model 1890 Colt Gatling gun and other memorabilia, is on display in the new Annex. 

In the handiwork of Paul and in the deeds, contributions and good works by Post members too numerous to mention, the great traditions of Friendship American Legion Post 1168 continue.  "Still serving, since 1936."

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                       Written by Post 1168 Historian and Chaplain Mark Voorheis