Post History
Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)
The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, Union Navy, and the Marines who served in the American Civil War. It was founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, and grew to include thousands of posts across the North and West. It was dissolved in 1956 at the death of its last member, Albert Woolson.
Garfield Post 38, named after MG James Abram Garfield (1831- 1881), Civil War leader and later US President, was established shortly after the founding of Zephyrhills, a colony of Union veterans. The Woman's Relief Corps (WRC), was founded as the official women's auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic in 1883. The organization was designed to assist the GAR and provide post-war relief to Union veterans. GAR Hall was constructed about 1910, and later donated by Woman's Relief Corps No. 9, to American Legion Zephyr Post No. 118, when it received its Charter in 1938.
Built in 1910, the GAR Hall served as the city's first public auditorium, community meeting place, and as a movie house. It was in this building that the vote to incorporate Zephyrhills occurred in 1914. Many weddings, school dances and proms took place in our building. Statewide GAR Conventions were hosted many times by Garfield Post 38 and at one time our building was the largest in Zephyrhills.
Today, Post 118 is very proud of the rich history of our building and houses many historical artifacts of the time. Stop by and check us out, we'd love for you to enjoy the history and sit and visit with you!
Patriotic Days
MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the Zephyrhills community, the goal of every Veteran to the last man and woman, is to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead of all of the wars of the country; and all veteran graves are decorated on this National Holiday.
ARMISTICE DAY, now called VETERANS' DAY, originally marked the end of fighting in World War I. It is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all Veterans. It has been in Zephyrhills. Annually the Post sponsored the Armistice Day Parade. An important tradition was established when the Post led in the memorial exercises at 11 o'clock on the morning of November 11, marking the exact hour of the cessation of hostility on the war fronts.
Scholarships and Community Projects
American Legion Post 118 sponsors various scholarships for the further education of our children. We also sponsor and financially assist many worthy community projects and programs initiated by the National American Legion.
Join Us and Keep this History Alive