This file part of www.watertownhistory.org website
American Legion
Pitterle-Beaudoin American Legion Post No. 189
206 S First
1919
The Watertown American Legion began in 1919 with Dr. A. F. Solliday as first commander. Later,
the organization was named the Sgt. Frank Pitterle
Post #189 in honor of Pitterle [1896-1918], who was the first Watertown man
killed in action during World War I. At the conclusion of World War II,
Beaudoin was added to the post in honor of the last town casualty in World War
II.
The American Legion
was founded in Paris at the end of World War I.
The
1948
In 1948, the Legion purchased the Green Bowl Tea Room,
formerly the Wenzel Prochazka
House and converted it to the Legion Green Bowl Supper Club. It was located at
1949
The American
Legion Band was formed
1956
[03 24] The Pitterle-Beaudoin Post No. 189, American
Legion, is now far enough advanced with its plans to enlarge its property, the Green
Bowl to petition to the City Council to have the area rezoned from residential
to commercial in order to begin construction. The plans have been underway for
the past several months and have been checked with state authorities. The
Legion's petition will be presented to the City Council this evening and
following the customary procedure will be referred to the City Plan Commission
after which a hearing will be scheduled before any action is taken.
1956
[07 17] New officers of the American Legion Firing
Squad announced today by officials of the Pitterle-Beaudoin Post No. 189, are:
Ronald Millin, commander; Delbert Barner, adjutant; Roger Wilkes, first vice
commander; Leroy Draves, second vice commander; Harvey Duehring, historian;
Donald Lenius, finance officer; Edward Kuenzi, drill sergeant; Laverne Wanke
and Lester Else, sergeants at arms.
1956
[05 03] Work on
the Green Bowl addition is to start next Monday, it was announced today by
officials of the Pitterle-Beaudoin Post No. 189, American Legion, owners of the
property. Walter Otto, Watertown contractor, has been awarded the contract,
having submitted the bid which the committee recommended for acceptance. The
project has been approved by the membership of the Legion. The plans for the
addition call for a large new structure for Legion purposes and there will also
be new and enlarged rest room facilities. There will also be some improvements
in the present quarters.
1957
[01 17] The
Pitterle-Beaudoin Post No. 189, American Legion, which each summer sponsors the
largest celebration at Riverside Park, the Fourth of July festivities, today
began to assemble its forces to seek defeat of the April 2 referendum which
will decide whether the sale of beer is to be continued in Riverside Park and
other public parks in the city. The
Legion has made it clear that it wants to continue sponsoring the celebrations
but cannot do so if its largest revenue raising source at the park is halted.
1957
[06 19] Newly
elected officers of the Pitterle-Beaudoin Post No. 189, American Legion were
announced today following ceremonies at which they took over their duties. Officers are: Harold Wilde, commander; Tom
Darcey, first vice commander; Howard Klug, second vice commander; Arnold T.
Jorgenson, finance officer; Delbert Barner, chaplain; Conrad Ott, historian;
Lester Else and Bert Sterwald, sergeants-at-arms; Harvey Duehring, trustee for
three years; William Connor, service officer.
1984
The Legion was again without a main headquarters until
December 28, 1984 when it purchased its present home, formerly Waldoch's, at
206 South First Street. The Legionnaires and Auxiliary have completely
renovated the former tavern where the Post holds meetings and store equipment
such as wheel chairs, walkers and hospital beds. The Legion holds a liquor
license for the building but it is not open to the public.
1996
In 1996, the City of Watertown and the American Legion
Pitterle-Beaudoin Post #189 hosted Watertown's 178th annual city celebration of
the Fourth of July. The parade draws a throng of
people to the business section on Main Street as well as along the parade route
to the Riverside Park where the Legionnaires and Auxiliary offer food and
drinks and music. Fireworks are scheduled at night.
Veteran’s Day Observance
Post #189 is instrumental in observing Veterans Day
along with various other organizations. Local veterans groups met at the Heritage
Inn and march in a parade beginning at 10:30 a.m. and continue down Main Street
to the Main Street bridge where a brief ceremony is held to honor all military
people who did not return from war. This replaces the Armistice Day celebration
of years ago commemorating the date and time of the end of World War I as
silence fell over "No Man's Land" in Europe at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11,
1948.
In 1954 President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill
proclaiming Nov.11, Veterans Day instead of Armistice Day and asked Americans
everywhere to dedicate themselves to the cause of peace on this national
holiday. Since that time, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War have
brought more veterans into existence.
About 1500 American Flags are placed on area graves of
military veterans before Memorial Day and are removed shortly after Labor Day
by a few Legionnaires under the direction of Wes Altwies.
The larger cemeteries include: Watertown: Oak
Hill, Moravian, St. Bernards [177], St. Henrys 146],
Immanuel Lutheran[97]; Ixonia: Glenview Gardens [192]. Three of the 21
cemeteries only have one flag each. The flags are placed in special metal
holders called “stakes”. Stakes in use include World War I, World War II,
Korea, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Vietnam, Cuba, the Civil
War and two in Watertown from the Indian War.
The Watertown American Legion baseball team competes
for the State AA tournament.
2007
Harold
and Nancy Schultz
Nancy A. Schultz, 83, of 18781 Hoover St., Salinas,
CA, died March 6, 2007, at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital in Salinas. Nancy was born Dec. 14, 1923, in Melbourne,
Victoria, Australia, daughter of Terence and Myrtle Bruun.
She married Harold Schultz of Watertown, Wis., in
Melbourne in 1943. Harold preceded her
in death March 12, 2003, in Haines City, FL.
Nancy came to Watertown from Australia in June 1945.
Nancy and Harold were managers of the former American Legion Green Bowl in
Watertown and Nancy had worked for several local restaurants.
Surviving are daughters, Karren (Charles) Wolfram of Watertown,
Sandra (Tony) Ziganay of Salinas and Patricia Schultz of Sullivan, WI.
________________________________________
A committee from Post No. 189 consisting of Wesley
Altwies, Jerry Peters and Howard Hilgendorf placed 2,272 flags on the graves of
veterans in the area to honor their sacrifices [WDTimes, 03 30 2006]
Cross-References:
No 1: Pitterle-Beaudoin website
No 2: Watertown’s
Company E Went to War, Frank Pitterle
