A Little Post 1067 History
Dean Zapp, promoter and organizer of the Ashland Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, was it's first
Commander. John P. Hanifin, Chief of Staff of the Department of Ohio, Mustered the new Post with 20
Charter Members. The Charter was closed on October 1, 1923, with 76 signers.
The first four meetings were held in the old Armory on West Main Street and the fifth meeting was held in
the G.A.R. hall on Arthur Street.
Armistice Day, November 11, 1923, saw the first public appearance of the new Ashland Post 1067 members
with their VFW arm bands.
On March 30, 1927, the Post entertained Officers of the Department of Ohio with a banquet at Hetler's
restaurant followed by an open meeting at the club rooms.
On January 28 and 29, 1928, the Post was host to a convention of National and State Officers. The meeting
opened at 7:00 PM with a banquet held at the Otter hotel with J.E. Arnold acting as toastmaster. Following
the banquet, the assembly marched to the Moose hall led by the drum and bugle corps from Akron.
Eugene P. Carvex, National Senior Vice Commander, and Herman Werner, Department of Ohio commander
were present.
On October 2, 1929, the Post accepted J.C. Bates proposition for an indoor circus and frolic to be held in
the Armory November 11 through 16. Minutes of the November 20 meeting reported a profit of $ 800.00.
On April 16, 1930, it was voted on to lease the Norris Grove at Nankin. The three year lease allowed the
Post to have meetings during the hot summer weather. Saturday night dances were held during the
summer months which raised enough money to make a down payment on the home on Washington Street.
In 1935 over 25,000 people attended a 4th. of July celebration at Brookside park sponsored by Post 1067.
Softball, tennis, horseshoe pitching and other sports attracted large crowds of rooters thourghtout the
morning and afternoon. Curt Ekey cried the one o'clock auction and A.V. Rogers cried the 6 o'clock sale. At
Eight o'clock that evening, L.E. Pete conducted the High school Band in a Patriotic concert. A fireworks
display concluded the days activities. Dorance Howell was Chairman of this successful event.
Commander Falkner presented Pep, a young shoat, to the Quartermaster at the January 29, 1936 meeting.
He was to take care of the pig until he had recruited a new member for the Post at which time he could
give it to another member. This continued until April 15, the close of the drive. By this time over 120
members had been signed up.
At 2:00 PM Sunday April 26, a parade formed on East Washington Street led by the Parma Post drum and
bugle corps followed by Department and Post Officers, the Degree team, Post members and candidates.
The parade marched to the court house for a group picture and then to the Armory where the initiation
was conferred on 125 new members. This was the most outstanding day in Ashland Post 1067 history.
What happened to Pep the pig? Chances were sold for a drawing and Basil Crawford was the winner. Her
last history making episode was that fall when she produced a large litter of little piggies.
From September 1944 until October 1945 new members were taken at every meeting. These new members
were former members of the Armed Forces who had served in World War II. At one time at the end of that
war the Post had 900 members. Since that time we have taken in members who have served in Korea, Viet
Nam, Gulf, and Iraq Wars
The Ashland Post has been involved in many projects since World War II such as sponsoring a little league
and a softball team. The Post has also sponsored bowling and golf teams over the years. We have given
financial aid to different organizations and to needy individuals who have served our Country. Through
the Dr. G. Delsher Fridline fund, we help Children and Grandchilden of members who want to further their
education. The Post has sponsored a Boy Scout troop for over 30 years.
Today, the Post continues to do whatever it can to make Ashland "Someplace Special".