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.
1959
10 13 Riverside Park
popcorn hassle; sales on midway restricted to carnival company WDT
1963
11 25 Tribute
to memory of President John F. Kennedy WDT
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
