OUR POST HISTORY

In January 1992, it was announced in the Citrus County Chronicle that a new American Legion Post was being formed to serve veterans in the Homosassa, Chassahowitzka and Lecanto areas.

 A meeting was held a short time later at the Lions Club in Homosassa, and 28 veterans attended.  The new Post, #166, was named in honor of a local man from Lecanto, Marine WO4 Arnold Vern Allen (01/22/1915 - 09/16/1991). 

A temporary charter was issued on March 30, 1992, and the actual charter was presented to the Post on February 17, 1993.  The first Post officers were: Commander Bruce Bowland, Adjutant Charles Hall, and Finance Officer Bob Sorensen. 

The post began to grow and by 1995 and even had a color guard.  But unfortunately, by 2002, the post began to fall apart due to the attrition of members ageing and others tired of not having a Post home and by 2007, the post membership had shrunk to just twelve members.

But rather than close the Charter, Robert Scott stepped up and became Commander and worked to grow the membership. By 2014, under the leadership of Commander Clayton Scott, the Post had about 70 members and five years later there were 103 members 35 Auxiliary members and 15 SAL.

And finally, in 2019, after 26 years of the Post moving from one meeting place to another, always looking and saving for a permanent meeting home, the Post found a home! With the help of many members, they worked hard to make the space right for the Post and opening celebration was held on April 20th, 2019.  It was a glorious day for all!

Today we have 253 American Legion members, 117 Auxiliary members, 52 SAL members and 12 American Legion Riders. And we are growing in numbers every day.  Currently the American Legion has 49 more members than this time last year.

All our progress has been made possible by the hard work of all our members over the years and the leadership of Past Commanders:

• Bruce Bowland
• Rheuben M Hair Sr
• Charles Norris Sr
• Joseph Stapleton
• M. O. Byrnes
• Marie Kraemer 07/2006 - 06/2012
• Robert Scott 07/2012 - 06/2013
• Clayton Scott 07/2013 - 06/2020
• Rick Starkey 07/2020 - 12/2021
• Robert Scott  01/2021-02/2022
• Robert "Bob" Ballew 02/2022 - Present