CONTRIBUTED PHOTO – The Charles Horton American Legion Post 739, formed in 2022 at the Iowa Veterans Home and currently led by Commander Fred Oster, right, has nearly doubled its membership in the past two years.

Since its launch nearly two years ago, the Charles Horton American Legion Post 739, which was formed by residents and employees of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, has not only remained stable, but has nearly doubled its membership as other sections of the state are struggling to survive.

Commander Fred Oster, a Marine Corps veteran who has lived in Iowa since 1989 and is a former IVH kitchen worker, said the post has grown from 60 members originally to 110 today and that he was actively looking for more people to join him. And although it was trained by IVH residents and employees, any veteran is welcome.

“Our biggest need right now is for volunteers when we do events with veterans. A lot of them are confined to a wheelchair or a walker or have other issues, medical issues, and we basically need volunteers and more members. And we want to continue to grow,” he said.

The post meets the first Tuesday of each month on the IVH campus. As many veterans organizations across the country struggle with declining membership and questions about their long-term viability, Oster is happy to buck the trend.

“Members of other American Legions came to our post and after their first meeting with the veterans (at IVH), they were hooked. They sign up and become members of our post,” he said. “There is no residency requirement. You can live anywhere within the county or outside the county. If you feel disenfranchised by your local American Legion and want more involvement, join ours.

On October 19, a delegation of seven veterans from the Charles Horton Post traveled to Waverly for the fall conference, and they will also have a table at the upcoming IVH Craft Bazaar.

“It’s all about community involvement. We raise money for different scholarship events and things of that nature to give back to the community. And we just want to make these veterans’ last days (special) and give them a sense of duty and service after their military career,” Oster said. “It’s about patriotism, promoting patriotism and upholding American values ​​and ideals, and the spirit of the American flag and brotherhood.”

To learn more, check out the American Legion Charles Horton Post 739 group on Facebook.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or [email protected].