AMERICAN LEGION
DANIELS - SHAFER POST 445
503 BELT AVENUE
EDGERTON, MISSOURI 64444
The American Legion, the nation's largest congressionally
chartered veterans organization, dates to 1919 when those being discharged
following World War I held organizational meetings in Paris, France, and
later in St. Louis, Missouri. Today the American Legion has some 18,000
local Posts in all states of the union and several overseas locations.
.
The Department of Missouri also dates to 1919
as a state organization within The American Legion. The Legion's national
headquarters is in Indianapolis, Indiana, with another headquarters located
in Washington, D.C.
History of Daniels - Shafer Post 445 of The American Legion Department of Missouri, Edgerton, Missouri
On February 11, 1946, local veterans from World War II held an organizational meeting with officials from the
Fourth District of The American Legion Department of Missouri at Shafer's Drug Store in Edgerton, Missouri.
Sixteen veterans joined together to form what would become Post 445 in Edgerton. The Post was named in honor of
Gene Daniels who was killed in action while crossing the Rhine River as a member of the U.S. Army.
The first officers were: Kenneth Pait, Commander; Clyde Daniels, 1st Vice Commander; Carl Llafatt, 2nd Vice
Commander; Horace Powell, Adjutant; Raymond Keefhefer, Sergeant-At-Arms; Charles Hahn, Finance Officer; Vernon
Clemons, Chaplain; Marvin Foster, Historian; Charles Sellers, Child Welfare.
The Post decided on June 10, 1946 to change its name to "Daniels-Shafer" to honor Abe Shafer III who died on
active duty at Great Lakes Naval Base.
An Auxiliary Unit was formed in 1947 and the current Post Headquarters was constructed
on the City Park. An
addition on the building for a kitchen was done in 1966.
Post 445 has been heavily involved in many community projects. The Post has done numerous fundraisers (fish
fries, breakfasts, Veterans dinners, food stands at the Edgerton Fall Festival, Pioneer Days, sponsoring
donkey basketball and baseball games, and building rentals) to enable them to conduct their operations. Some
of the operations done by the Post are: support of Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs; support of 4-H program;
teen dances; children's Christmas parties; Valentine and Halloween parties; Independence Day celebrations;
provided U.S. Flags for schools; insured veterans' graves were decorated on Memorial Day; provided graveside
military honors at many veterans' funerals; sponsored a tractor pull at the Edgerton Centennial Celebration;
and performed many other civic activities and child welfare actions.
Post 445 has received many honors for its work. The American Legion National Headquarters presented the Post
with many awards including several National Citations on Child Welfare and Americanism; Citation for
Distinguished Service; Special Membership Citation; and Post of Distinction Birthday Award. Post 445 was also
recognized with a National Citation for Meritorious Service from The American Legion Auxiliary; Certificate of
Appreciation from General John J. Pershing Honor Award Trophy; and Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding
Volunteer Service from The National Foundation.
Membership in the Post has varied over the years but it is estimated that over 150 veterans have been members
of Post 445 at some time during its existence. As of 2013 the Post had 39 members. A list of Past Post
Commanders is maintained in a prominent place in the Post Headquarters and list of all members past and present
is also maintained.
Roster of Past Post 445 Commanders, Past Post 445 Fourth District Commanders, and Past Post 445
Department Commanders and National Officers
