Vermund G. Hansen
The Vermund G. Hansen Post 101 of The American Legion
Vermund G. Hansen was a young, recently married, expert electrician, who had opened an electrical shop in the City of Pharr in early 1918. Even though exempt by law from military service, due to having three brothers already serving in the Army, the call to duty was too strong. So in the Fall of 1918, Vermund left his wife and business and enlisted in the Army. They sent the young man to France as a member of the Motor Transportation Corps, where he served faithfully and well throughout the war. It was through a twist of fate that he should succumb to bronchial pneumonia (influenza) when the home he so earnestly prayed for was in sight.
Private Vermund G. Hansen died in France on January 20, 1919. His body was returned to Pharr, Texas on November 6, 1919 and members of the newly formed Pharr Post of The American Legion escorted the body from the train station to the Methodist Church, where services were held. Veterans of the World War acted as pallbearers. Vermund was a patriot in peace, a soldier in war, and he will ever be held in high esteem and grateful remembrance by this community, from which he so self-sacrificingly set forth to do battle, that we might live in eternal peace.
The Pharr American Legion Post received a temporary charter on December 20, 1919 and became The Vermund G. Hansen Post 101, of The American Legion. The original charter members were: Martin Charles Hansen, Fred C. Sizilan, L.A. Fallers, Clarence Carlson, Robert Bryant, Ralph L. Buell, E.W. Schaffer, Hood Boone, John Jones, Joe Hill, Clarence P. Wolf, Jesse P. Lockhart, Alfonso Salinas, Alonzo L. Porsser, Joseph A. Lammons, LaVern Salisbury, Seferino Enriquez, and N.E. Thomas. The Post was granted a Permanent Charter on April 9, 1934. On August 10, 1947, the first ground was broken for a new Post 101 home, on Legion owned land on South Cage in Pharr. Harry Britten Jr. was the Post Commander at that time. The completed building was dedicated on December 19, 1948, as a memorial to the veterans of Pharr and San Juan who made the supreme sacrifice in World War II. The ceremony was attended by many distinguished guests, including: Lieutenant Governor Allan Shivers, Congressman Lloyd M. Bentsen, Jr., and many other National and local leaders of our great country.
Our History
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands at over 2 million in more than 13,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.
Our Mission
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.
Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation, one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship and fitness. The Operation Comfort Warriors program supports recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing them with "comfort items" and the kind of support that makes a hospital feel a little bit more like home. The Legion also raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families during times of need and to provide college scholarship opportunities.
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation's veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership.
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation, and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.