Post History
In July of 1919, four former servicemen met at the Elks Lodge (now old Calamity Jane’s) to sign and file an application for an American Legion Post. Existing at the time in Moscow, was a community consisting of former World War I Veterans. At this meeting, Mr. M. C. Bailey was elected temporary Chairman and Mr. William Lee, temporary Secretary, there were two additional names on the application that are not legible. The requirements were to have 15 service members sign on to this application. A committee was formed to name the Post and the Post was originally named "American Legion Latah Post 6”. All of Moscow’s servicemen who died in the service of their country, as a mark of respect, were honored when the Post was chartered. The application was approved by the National Executive Committee and signed by the Department Adjutant on July 11, 1919, followed by the Idaho Secretary of State on July 15, 1919.
In 1924, the Post applied for a Permanent Charter in which the organization changed its name to “Dudley Loomis Post 6”. The Charter application required names and positions of all officers, plus a “yes” or “no” to six Post Committees which were Post Activities and Welfare, Americanism and Americanization, Finance, Resolutions and Legal Committee, Beneficial Legislation, and Membership and Publicity. The Permanent Charter was signed by the Department Adjutant on April 1, 1924.
December 9, 1937, the Post signed a 25-year lease with the city for our present location at 317 S Howard St. In 1938 the construction of the Cabin began. The Adjutant at the time absconded with records and most of the money from the Post. This year Scouting came to the Post, which consisted of a Boy Scout Troop and Cub Scout Pack 323, which still meets weekly at the Cabin. In May 1939, the Post bought a quarter section of timberland on Moscow Mountain that was to be used for service to the community and conservation for $1.00 from Frank and Pearl Robinson.
January 23, 1942, an Application for Supplemental Charter was submitted to the Department and was issued on February 3, 1942. The Cabin served as a USO for many years as well as a place for groups to meet. On April 8, 1949, the Post signed a 99-year lease with the city. The main hall was rented by retailers for many years. Meetings were held in the basement. In 1954, an addition was added to the west end of the cabin, and the land subsequently was backfilled around it.
Fast forward to the 1980s. A decision was made to take two cuts off the timberland to sell in 1988. The following year, the timberland was sold. Our baseball program was also pushed out to the community, where it remained until 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024 The Moscow Blue Devils, American Legion Baseball returned to Moscow with a young team of 15 boys.
From 2020 through 2022, the Cabin underwent major repairs and renovations to meet current building codes and to update infrastructure. We support all 4 pillars of the American Legion. We are out in the community and trying to bring in more Veterans, not just as members, but also to assist those in need.
We partner with community members with programs for Veterans and offer our Cabin home to the public for use.
Along with our baseball program we also host a Cub Scout Pack, a Girl Scout troop, and a Scouting America (Boy Scout) Troop which meet regularly. They participate in flag retirements and other programs as they are available.
The decision to organize an American Legion Post resulted from the premise "...that the American Legion was the representative Veterans' organization in Latah county.". That conclusion has been proven true nationwide as well as locally. Today the American Legion is the largest wartime Veterans' organization with nearly 13,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. Current national membership is over 2 million and combined with the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion, The American Legion Family exceeds 3 million humans who care about America, Veterans, their families, and the youth of America.
Patriotic Days
MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in Moscow. In addition to Memorial Day events throughout the Mosocw community, the goal of every Veteran to the last man is to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead from all of the wars of the United States; and that all graves and cemeteries are decorated on this National Holiday.
ARMISTICE DAY, now called VETERANS' DAY, originally marked the end of fighting in World War I. It is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all Veterans. Annually the Post sponsored the Veteran's Day Ceremony. An important tradition was established when the Post led in the Memorial Exercises at 11 o'clock on the morning of November 11, marking the exact hour of the cessation of hostility on the war fronts.
Registration Of Graves
Since its inception, Dudley Loomis, American Legion Post 6 has been a leader in this community in the area of grave registration. A practice that has been adopted by all the American Legion Posts in Latah County. Grave Registration enables all interested parties to locate the site of the grave of each Veteran.
Scholarships and Community Projects
Dudley Loomis, American Legion Post 6 sponsors various scholarships and programs for the education of our children. We assist veterans and their families when in need, and we also sponsor and financially assist many worthy community projects and programs initiated by the National American Legion.
We meet LAST THURSDAY every Month at the Dudley Loomis Post 6, 317 S Howard at 7:00 PM.
Please join us.