Today, we recognize and thank all veterans of all branches for their sacrifice and bravery. Happy Veterans Day!

At the end of World War I, four American veterans, including Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., the son of President Theodore Roosevelt, envisioned an organization led by veterans to help fellow veterans returning home from the war.

In 1919, Congress chartered the American Legion as an official American patriotic society. That same year, the Ventura County Post 48 organized to serve Ventura County veterans. Post 48 had its first meeting on Sep 12, 1919 at the Ventura County Courthouse and invited servicemen from around the county. Ventura County’s American Legion chapters hosted Air Shows, sponsored Armistice Day, and provided camaraderie for Ventura County Veterans. In the 1930s, Post 48 could no longer support the entire county, so it split into separate posts and Post 48 become the Oxnard Post.

Image 1: The Ventura Post, Post 339, was chartered in 1927. This photograph was taken circa 1942.

Image 2: The Camarillo Post No. 741 gifted the keepsake box to Max Riave of Camarillo in 1982 as “Our tribute of affection.”

Image 3: The American Legion designed this 7-inch plaque for use in cemeteries to mark the graves of their members.

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