American Legion Post 283

History of Rock Memorial American Legion Post 283

On May 16, 1939, fifteen ex-servicemen met at the White school house in Imperial, MO to discuss forming an American Legion
Post in the northern part of Jefferson County. Since the White school house had been offered for sale by the school board of
the newly formed Windsor School District and would be an ideal location for a Legion home, with ample grounds for picnics and
social affairs, and since those present were of the opinion that there was a need for a Legion Post in the north part of the
county, a Post was organized, a temporary charter applied for, committees appointed and officers elected. Thus Rock Memorial
Post 283 came into existence With Stanley S. Morse as Commander, Charles Meese as Vice Commander, Lew Becker as
Adjutant and Michael Ziegler as Finance Officer. The White school house was purchased for $600.00 and financed over a
three year period. (NOTE: The White school house still exists as the concrete block building at Bayer’s Garden Supply in
Imperial, MO.)

By the time a permanent charter was granted on March 4, 1940 by the National organization, Post 283’s membership had grown
to 73 as noted on the original charter. The Post also sponsored American Legion Auxiliary Unit 283 which was granted a
charter by The American Legion Auxiliary in September, 1939. Post 283 also hosts the Sons of the American Legion Squadron
283, which allows the sons of American Legion members, who do not qualify for American Legion membership , to participate in
Legion activities.

In the 1960’s, a farm was purchased by the Post at the current location on Montebello Road and the current Hall was built in
1967. While the Hall was being built, meetings were held in the house on the property. Once the Hall was completed, the house
was torn down and the Club Room was built in the same location and attached to the Hall. In the 1970’s, with the help of the
National Guard, the ravine in front of the Post was filled in and a baseball field was constructed on the fill. Also with the help of
the Air National Guard, lights were installed around the field allowing for night baseball to be played. Today Post 283 supports
two American Legion baseball teams (varsity and junior varsity) and through a co-operative agreement with Windsor School, the
Windsor High School baseball team also plays on the Post 283 field.

Other youth activities sponsored by Rock Memorial are American Legion Missouri Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary
Girls State, American Legion Oratorical Contest and American Legion Cadet Patrol.