The American Legion Emblem
"There shines the Emblem of The American Legion, it is your badge of distinction, honor and service. It stands for God and Country, and the hig
hest rights of man. Of its several parts, each has a meaning."
The Rays of the Sun form the background of our proud Emblem, and suggests that the Legion's principles will dispel the darkness of violence and evil.
The Wreath forms the center, in loving memory of those brave comrades who gave their lives in the service of the United States, that liberty might endure.
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Yeoman Bill Hallern lives though Pearl Harbor
By Laura Schofer
Webmaster's Note: Dear Reader, the following article is from November of 2011, it is about our Post member and Pearl Harbor survivor, Irving William Halleran. Our friend Bill Halleran passed away on December 9, 2011. Bill's wife, Rosemary, is an active member in the American Legion Auxiliary Merrick Unit 1282 at the Post.
"They just kept coming."
That's how Bill Hallern of Merrick described the bombing of the U.S. Naval bast at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese fighter planes on the morning of December 7, 1941.
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Post 1282, devoted to service
By Linda Delmonico-Prussen
Webmaster's Note: Dear Reader, this article is dated, Vincent J. Gabrielle was our Post Commander from 2001 to 2005, however, the article gives insights into what this organization is about and the activities that we are involved in. Therefore, I have decided to include this article on our blog page.
American Legion Post 1282 lies in the center of Merrick's Road's bustling business district in Merrick, and amid the swirl of cars pulling into and out of the various shops, fast-food eateries and gas stations, one might overlook the post building.
It is a humble, but neatly-kept gray house that, like Post 1282's members, doesn't scream for attention, but enjoys a long, proud history.
Past Commander Bob Wieboldt said that, over the years, the post has played an enormous role in the lives of veterans, helping them to get back on their feet once home from war or military service. "We needed to have a place to meet for all veterans to discuss their problems and do good work for veterans and their families," he said.
Read more: Post 1282, devoted to Service
Merrick Legion Post 1282, as I remember
By Jake J. Bohn
Editor's Note: The following is account of how Merrick American Legion Post 1282, formed in the words of one of its founders, 94-year old John J. Bohn.
In the beginning there wasn't a veteran's organization in the Merricks. It was a community of people working together of respect and dedication. The population at the end of World War II was a mere 25,000.
Yes, I could be wrong, but when I was a young boy around 1915, I believe the population was something like 12,000. But after WWII, The Merricks grew like every other community on Long Island. It is now perhaps a city in some respects with a population of some 45,000. I would love to go back to the 1930s when you could walk the Merrick Village and know every storekeeper and every other person shopping in Merrick. Merrick was just a step above a whistle stop for the Long Island Rail Road. We had a nice railroad station house, small but quaint.
After WWII, some of the veterans wanted an organization and a place to meet.
Read more: Merrick Legion Post 1282, as I remember