On September 29, 1942, a German made field gun was being removed from the grounds of the Edward B. Rhodes Post of the American Legion by the Army. It was donated by the Legion members to be broken down and used to make weapons to fight its original manufacturers, the Germans. The cannon was a 1906 Krupp-Essen of World War I vintage. It was presented to the Post in the early 1920's by Hugh Wallace, then ambassador to France, who had a home in Tacoma. It had graced the grounds of their post on "G" St. for many years. Despite the good example set by the Legion members and a plea from Mayor Cain, the Park Board decided to keep all of its display cannons for the time being, rather than having them dismantled for scrap. (T. Times 9/29/1942, pg. 2)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Cannons; Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives;

Members of the Edward B. Rhodes Post of the American Legion bid farewell on September 29, 1942 to the cannon that had graced their grounds for many years. The cannon was being donated by the group to the Army for scrap metal. The cannon was a 1906 Krupp-Essen German made field gun. It was given to the Post by Hugh Wallace, then ambassador to France.The cannon was being removed by the Army from the Post building at 407 So. "G" St. and taken to Fort Lewis where it was cut up for scrap. (T. Times 9/29/1942, pg. 2)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Cannons; Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives;

Children pour out of the American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 Memorial Hall on December 23, 1967, at the conclusion of the post and Opportunity & Development, Inc., joint-Christmas celebration for the underprivileged. Turkey and ham with all the fixings and a visit from Santa brought smiles to the faces of the estimated 500 children in attendance. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 12-10-67, A-4-article)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1960-1970; School children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Christmas--Tacoma;

Two cute little girls, names not given, look very happy to be hugged by a jolly Santa at the American Legion's Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 and Opportunity & Development, Inc. Christmas celebration in December of 1967. Santa joined hundreds of children at the party which included a turkey and ham dinner, musical entertainment by the Stadium High School Band and Lincoln High School Chorale, and gifts and toys for all. Santa had made his arrival via one of Tacoma's fire engines. Originally scheduled at the Normanna Hall, the venue was changed to the Rhodes Post's 407 South G Street address when the guest list grew to 500 youngsters. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 12-10-67, A-4-article, TNT 12-22-67, p. 14-article)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1960-1970; Christmas--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Santa Claus--Tacoma;

Santa had plenty of helping hands at the American Legion Edward B. Rhodes No. 2 Memorial Hall on December 23, 1967. Commander Wallace Walker, Sr. (far left), of the American Legion Post #222 was chairman of the event. Tacoma Mayor A.L. "Slim" Rasmussen (in glasses & hat) assisted Santa in making sure these small children had plenty to eat and drink, including pumpkin pie and milk. George W. Johnson, acting executive director of the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc., is believed to be standing right of Mayor Rasmussen. 500 children enjoyed the hot dinner, music from Lincoln and Stadium High School, and received gifts. Santa arrived, not by reindeer, but with help from the Tacoma Fire Department. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (, TNT 12-10-67, A-4-article; TNT 12-22-67, p. 14-article)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1960-1970; Christmas--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Walker, Wallace; Santa Claus--Tacoma;

In 1919 the Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 of the American Legion drew together a group of veterans at the Tacoma Armory to consider an organization and elect a delegate to the first national convention of the Legion in St. Louis. Regular meetings started soon afterwards. Since then new veterans are inducted on a regular basis. American Legion post No. 2, veterans of World War II installations, view of eight men receiving their oaths.

Veterans' organizations--Tacoma; Conference rooms--Tacoma; Oaths--Tacoma; American Legion (Tacoma); Murals;

Post #138, auxiliary and men in joint installation, American Legion Post #138. 14 women from the auxiliary pose in front of the stage at the American Legion Hall. Bessie Potter, in the center of the front row wearing a dark dress, was the new auxiliary president and Ann Dale, third from the right, was the first vice president. Each of them wears a corsage. They wear pretty dresses of the longer street length with necklaces, a brooch or earrings.

American Legion (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jewelry; Necklaces; Earrings; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flowers--Tacoma; American Legion Auxiliary (Tacoma); Potter, Bessie; Dale, Ann;

The American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post Number 2 was located at 407 South G Street in Tacoma. Tacoma also had three other posts and an auxiliary unit. Interior view of the Edward B. Rhodes Post Number 2 American legion building; view of stairway that leads into a waiting area with two wick sofas, room in back has a piano, possibly the lounge area.

Clubhouses--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma);

Women of the Tacoma unit No. 138 of the American Legion auxiliary were folding more than 120,000 sheets of Tuberculosis Association Christmas seals for 1952. Shown are, L-R, standing Fannie (Mrs. Roy) Hinchcliff, Mrs. George Prentice, Birdie Hay, Nettie May Grisham, Georgia (Mrs. Heber) Wolfe, Eva (Mrs. Alvis) Gasaway and Hazel (Mrs. Wilbur) Boyer. Seated, Mrs. Harry Johnson, Mrs. A.N. Ohlinger, Ruth (Mrs. R.A.) Hedberg, Mrs. George Terry, Mrs. August Boschert, Goldie (Mrs. Jesse) Baker, Evelyn Draper, Mrs. Carl Druse, Hazel Hess, Mrs. Pete Passero and Hilda (Mrs. Max) Mrohs. Ordered by the Tuberculosis Association. TNT, 10/12/1952, p.D-9)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas seals; Tuberculosis League of Pierce County (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Members of the Edward Rhodes Post No. 2's Last Man Club met for their annual reunion banquet in the Rhodes Memorial Hall on November 12, 1954. Honored attendees were past commanders of the American Legion post who served in WW1. Ten flags are draped over empty chairs in front of the group of men, to honor those commanders who had passed away. A special guest from California was expected to be Frederick J. Shaw, the first commander of Post #2 in 1919, who would be attending the reunion for the first time. The post's Last Man Club was founded in 1937. (TNT 11-7-54, D-15)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flags--United States; Last Man Club (Tacoma);