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Clayton E. Moneymaker American Legion Post 237

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The History of Clayton E. Moneymaker American Legion Post 237

Revised by Ken Carpenter, Tom Hartley, and Tom Paone, November 2022

The history of the Clayton E. Moneymaker American Legion Post 237 in Huntsville dates nearly to the origin of the American Legion itself which was founded under the leadership of Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. with veterans of the American Expeditionary Force in Paris in March of 1919,  five months after the armistice that ended the Great War (WWI).

The earliest origin of Post 237 dates to June of 1920 with the activation under a temporary charter of the Peter Crump Post, the first Post in Madison County.  Since its earliest days Post 237 has been a leader in the growth and development of Huntsville and Madison County and has supported our Nation’s military service veterans.  Its members have included celebrated military heroes from Madison County, distinguished government, civic, public service, and business leaders.

Between 1925 and 1926 the Post was reorganized as Huntsville – Madison Co. Post No. 37 and held its meetings at Riverton School near the Flint River. This early Post was active in securing military bonuses, war risk insurance, compensation, and hospitalization for veterans. A permanent charter was issued for the Post in 1926. During the 1920s and the 1930s the Post provided numerous community support services including raising thousands of dollars to fund a local infants’ hospital and leading a movement for creation of a municipal airport, and sponsoring a $7800 prize fight with 60,000 in attendance for the development of local industry. Meetings were held in the homes of Post members throughout the county.

During WWII the Post led many community services including the establishment of air raid stations throughout the county and collection of records of fighting men.  The Post donated its WWI German cannon located at the courthouse for the wartime scrap metal drive. The Post sold $162,500 in war bonds earning the honor of naming two bombers. The Post also sponsored a junior baseball team and Boys State and secured the assistance of the US Army for funeral salutes. The Post also collected clothing for needy families and presented flags to local schools. In 1945-1946 County Post 37 was allotted a room at the National Guard Armory for its meetings. In 1950 a Post Home Auditorium costing $20,000 was completed.

Between 1956 and 1957 a Post home was established at 313 South Memorial Parkway. Honoring a Medal of Honor recipient and Post member, the Post was renamed the Cecil H. Bolton Post 37 in 1965. Among the various charitable activities during the 1950s and 1960s the Post provided funds for a new hospital wing, a home for orphans; and provided aid to veterans and their families.  In the mid 1960s, a Post Color Guard was created which participated in the American Legion National Convention in Dallas, TX and the Post adopted the 93rd Evacuation Hospital in South Vietnam.  

In 1967, the Post was re-established as Huntsville – Madison County Post No. 200 which leased a building at 202 Andrew Jackson Way at Five Points. In1972, the Post was merged with Post 275 and renamed County Post 237.   Post 237 was located at 421 Jefferson Street.  

In the 1970s and 1980s the Post sponsored Memorial Day services at Maple Hill Cemetery and distributed POW-MIA bracelets naming missing servicemen.  

In 1983, the Post built its present home at 2900 Drake Avenue. In 2015, County Post 237 voted to change the post name to Clayton E. Moneymaker American Legion Post 237 in honor of a distinguished past Post Commander and Adjutant .

From the 1990s to the present, the Post has remained active in the support of veterans and the community. Among its many civic and veterans support activities the Post   donates to the Tut Fann Veterans’ Home, supports  homeless veterans, and has collected and distributed aid to  tornado and hurricane victims. The Post continues to sponsor Boys State, American Legion baseball, local JROTC programs, and the American Legion Oratorical contest. The Honor Guard conducts military funeral rites for veterans.

Post 237 is honored to have Gary “Mike” Rose as one of its members. In October 2017, Mike Rose was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in September 1970 in Laos. 

Post 237 has grown to be the largest American Legion Post in the State of Alabama.  The Post home serves as a meeting place for many other veterans’ organizations in North Alabama and offers weekday lunch and nightly entertainment in the social quarters.