On June 6, 1919, former United States military servicemen met to start a new American Legion group located in Orlando, Florida that came to be known as Post 19, and their initial charter was approved on September 20, 1920. Commander William Beardall was the first Post Commander and his son, a Legion member, later became the Mayor of Orlando in 1940. Existing at the time in Orlando was an informal community consisting of former Civil War, Spanish War and World War I Veterans. The decision to organize an American Legion Post resulted from the conclusion of these Veterans that the American Legion was the representative Veterans' organization in this country. That conclusion has been proven true as today as the American Legion is the largest wartime Veterans' organization with nearly 15,000 local Posts throughout America and over 3 million members who care about America, Veterans, their families and our nation's youth. A committee was formed to name the Post and the Post and it was named "Orlando Memorial Post 19”.  Post 19 has had 4 commanders go on to be Department of Florida State of Commanders.   Approximately three year ago the City of Orlando arbitrarily forced Orlando Memorial Post 19 to close, which at that time was located near the Ben White Raceway track on Lee Road in Orlando. Fortunately it was able to rebound under the current leadership of Commander Wade Foster to its new rental property at 5320 Alloway Street, Orlando  Florida  32810-5510. The new location about one mile east of their former location, and across the street from a property which now serves new American Legion, Department of Florida Headquarters. The Orlando Memorial Post 19 is an historic institution in our community that in 2019 will be 100 years old in the Orlando community. This will also mark the 100th anniversary of the American Legion. Our petition is being circulated to ask that the City of Orlando address this situation and help find Post 19 a permanent location in which the Post can live on into perpetuity. The City of Orlando closed the Post stating that the area was needed for growth potential. Today, the building has been leveled, and there is no growth or prosperity on that property. We need to be made whole once again so we can continue the mission of the American Legion. Orlando Memorial Post 19 needs your help in finding a permanent home in which we can continue our nearly 100 year legacy of helping veterans in Florida. Please sign our petition, and help us on find the path to a new home for our membership base within the Department of Florida. We all served you as members of the military, and it is now time that that City of Orlando fulfilled the contract they gave us when we brought our organization to your community. As soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and coast guardsmen, we gave you our souls, it is time for you to honor your debt to the American Legion, and Orlando Memorial Post 19. Jim Carlin Adjutant Orlando Memorial Post 19 JimCarlin344@gmail.com 269.274.6334 http://www.alflpost19.org