Post History

William Grant Hodge, of Centralia after whom the Centralia Post of the American Legion is named, was a Centralia boy and a graduate of the Centralia High School. He starred on the Centralia foot ball team for four years and was the crack pitcher on the base ball team. Indeed he excelled in anything he attempted, and it is not too much to say that had he not lost his life, he would have undoubtedly some home a Captain. In disposition he was quiet and unassuming but his men learned that he expected his orders to be obeyed and while there was no bluster about him he got results and the men loved him. William Grant Hodge was born at Dexter MN, and came to Centralia in 1910. he signed up with Co. M. 161st Infantry, and served with them at the border, where he was promoted to Sergeant. At the outbreak of the war he went with the rest of his company on guard duty at Everett where there was some trouble with the I. W. W. The company was sent from here to Camp Murray where they remained in training for a time before leaving for Camp Mills. He sailed for France on 12 Dec 1917, and upon his arrival in France, he was sent to an Officer's Training School where he received his commission of Second Lieutenant. He left for the front late in August 1918, and got into the fight at Argonne Forest where he was killed 27 Sep 1918. He was wounded along with his sergeant who died on the way to the first aid station. Grant survived until he reached the hospital but passed away soon after. That night the hospital where he died was bombed by the Huns, and several nurses and many of the wounded who were there, were killed, but the spirit of Grant Hodge was far, far away where the fury of the fight could never touch him, and where treachery and hate are powerless to wreak their will and Love reigns supreme. His record reads "He lost his life, but the Great Redeemer has said, "He who loseth his life for my sake, shall find it again.'"

Affiliated Organizations

AAuxiliary of American Legion Post 17 was formed. The Legion has every reason to be proud of it's Auxiliary.  Auxiliary members are always anxious and willing to co-operate in every Legion activity.

A Sons of the Legion for American Legion Post 17. The Legion has every reason to be proud of it's Sons of Legion unit, which gained statewide recognition because of it's programs of service.

Patriotic Days

MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the Centralia community, the  goal of every Veteran to it's last man is to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead of all of the wars of the country; and all 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. 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 LegionPost --- 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