The History of the American Legion in Hughson
History of Hughson, California: The People, the Places, the Traditions of a Small Town
Roy Santiago, Past Post Commander and Charter Member of the American Legion Scranton & Qualle Post 872, presented at the Hughson Historical Museum in May 2024 with Chaplain Craig Bagley, American Legion Sergeant at Arms Roy Simmons, and James Ball.
The Hughson Post boasts over 220 members. Roy Santiago, Past Post Commander and Charter Member of the American Legion Scranton & Qualle Post 872, described the American Legion as ”a community within a community.” Because it was chartered east of Santa Fe Avenue, members include those from Denair, Salida, Riverbank, Coulterville, Waterford, Hickman, and beyond.
The four highlighted the service of many of Hughson’s heroes. “People today might be indifferent because it wasn’t high profile. We go where we’re sent. We do the job we’re tasked with, and we try to provide honor to our community and family,” Santiago said.
The American Legion was founded in 1919 by an Act of Congress by World War I veterans in Paris, France. It is open to all branches of the military regardless of combat experience. “One day of service makes you eligible,” Santiago said.
In Hughson, September 11, 2001, inspired the gathering of 22 veterans at the home of Bank of the West manager Janice Pimentel. The post was chartered in May 2002 as the Scranton and Qualle Post 872. While other names were suggested, those of Scranton and Qualle, who came from Hughson and served together in the army in World War II, fought together in the Philippines in the Battle of Bataan and survived. The two returned to Hughson and owned businesses in town. “They were totally committed to the town itself,” Santiago said. “Other names were brought up, but the two combined because they were so well-known together. It was a no-brainer that the membership voted that way.”
When chartered, John Taylor was the first elected Commander, followed by Roy Santiago, Stephanie Early call me, Steve Severn, Roy Simmons, Steve Bridgeman and Craig Cook. Taylor and Santiago would go on to be elected as 12th District Commander. In 2007, The American Legion Rider, a “club within a club,” was formed for motorcycle enthusiasts. In 2015, Keith Early made his historic ride on his motorcycle from Hughson to Baltimore, Maryland, to raise money for legacy scholarships.
Stephanie Early was one of the first female members and quickly became the first Vice President to represent Area 3. Early now resides in Florida.
The Sons of the American Legion Squadron was founded in 2007. In 2015, the Squadron was nationally recognized for donating more than $2,500 to child welfare foundations.
An American Legion Auxiliary Branch was created in 1919 for the male and female spouses, grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion. As its membership in Hughson waned, the Auxiliary merged with the Ceres chapter and now meets in Modesto.
The American Legion's foundation is called the “Four Pillars”: Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, Americanism, Children and Youth, and National Security. Having established the US Flag Code, the American Legion helps to educate citizens on the appropriate handling of the American Flag. The organization has presented on Americanism in Hughson schools.
In 2015, Roy Santiago received the National Veterans Advocate of the Year award.
The American Legion donated State Caps from awards won to the Hughson Historical Museum and invited members to attend the Laying of the Wreath at the Hughson Veteran Memorial at 8 a.m. on May 27. “We lay a wreath just like they do at Arlington. We will honor the veterans from our town as long as there are people to remember,” Santiago said.
“It’s a labor of love to do some of these funerals, burials, and the ceremonies of Memorial Day. Some of us still live with a lot of issues,” Santiago explained, including spiritual, mental, and physical disability, and “survivor’s guilt over those who died on our watch.”
The Legion advocates for veterans and their families. Although nonpartisan and nonsectarian, its speeches and memorials display a strong religious emphasis; as Santiago said, “There are no atheists in foxholes.”
While material support and policy advocacy are important parts of the work of the American Legion, each presenter spoke movingly of the “brotherhood” that arises when veterans gather together, whether or not they speak directly about their military experiences.
“It’s a brotherhood you can call on. I’ve been the recipient of phone calls in the middle of the night when someone is at their darkest moments. I’ve been fortunate to talk some people out of that scenario,” Santiago said.
“I’ve seen things that I wish no one would have seen,” Ball said. Simmons and Ball spoke of the experience of living with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and the help of other Legion members and volunteer work to help them keep going. “We all have our issues, and we all come together and talk to one another, and that is what brotherhood is all about. We’re there for each other,” Simmons said.
And despite the challenges, members expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to serve and their willingness to do it again for the sake of their country.
After the presentation, Historical Society President Cindy Spiro said, “Thank you so much for your dedication to the service and to Hughson. This has been very meaningful for all of us who have family who served—for what you’ve done to protect our country to protect our way of life.”
For more information on the American Legion Scranton & Qualle Post 872 or to donate, contact Roy Santiago by phone at 408-891-6835, email at prhman@yahoo.com, or via PO BOX 178 Hughson CA 95326.
Originally published in the Hughson Chronicle & Denair Dispatch on May 21, 2024. The Hughson Chronicle & Denair Dispatch is part of MidValley Publications - committed to the power of the positive press. Reprinted with Permission.
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