Hayes-Velhage Post 96 History

When our country entered the Great War in 1917, 314 young men from West Hartford answered their country's call to service and went off to war in France. Twenty-three of these young men did not come back. Of these, two have come to symbolize the rest - Waldo C. Hayes and Francis B. Velhage for whom our Post is named.

Of these two symbolic casualties, Hayes was born in Avon, but grew up on Farmington Avenue in West Hartford. A basketball star at Hall High School, he worked in M. J. Burnham's Grocery Store and belonged to Troop B at the West Hartford Armory. He was one of the first to go overseas. He died on October 23, 1918 from wounds received in enemy action. A week after the Armistice, when his family was expecting a cable from him he saying he was safe, they received instead the terse telegram from the War Department: "We regret to inform you… " From the other end of town came Frank Velhage, who grew up on his grandfather's Oakwood Avenue farm. When war came, he volunteered for the Navy, serving on the battleship USS South Carolina (BB 26). In a shipboard accident, Frank Velhage was badly crushed and died in the Philadelphia Naval Hospital on September 11, 1917.

In 1922, thirty-four veterans of the World War formed Hayes-Velhage Post 96, The American Legion. The charter members set out to build a Post Home. They completed construction of the Post Home on Memorial Road in 1929.

As events turned out, the world had not been made altogether safe for democracy by the sacrifice of those who served. A generation later, West Hartford youth again was called to take up arms, and 139 men and 1 woman were to give their lives for their country in World War II.

When the Japanese flew over Pearl Harbor, a West Hartford pilot, Gordon Sterling, rose with others from Wheeler Field to challenge the enemy. In this first blaze of the conflict, a West Hartford man made the final sacrifice, and the town's major sports field, Sterling Field, is named to honor his memory.

The return to West Hartford of thousand of veterans from World War II drove the membership rolls of Hayes-Velhage Post 96 to record numbers. The World War I veterans gradually passed the baton of leadership to this new generation of veterans.

The Post welcomed veterans from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama and the Gulf Wars; and the Global War on Terrorism that started when we were attacked on September 11,2001.

In 2007, Post 96 sold our Post Home on Memorial Road and relocated to 45 Raymond Road in Blue Back Square.

Since 1925, The American Legion has sponsored a nationwide youth baseball program. During these past ten decades, millions of young players have enjoyed playing baseball. The American Legion and their 2.8 million members have raised millions of dollars each year for players to learn the importance of teamwork, discipline, leadership and good sportsmanship. The American Legion sponsors American Legion Baseball to give players an opportunity to develop their skills, personal fitness, leadership qualities and to have fun.

In 1935 Hayes-Velhage Post 96 began participating in American Legion Baseball and in 2020 we marked our 75th year of this outstanding component of the Four Pillars of the American Legion.  Today our program supports teams in three levels, Senior, Junior, and Prep, giving players an opportunity to participate from under 15 years of age through the Senior level of under 19 years of age.

American Legion Baseball is a youth baseball program that was established in 1925 by the American Legion, a veterans' organization in the United States. The program was created with the intention of providing young athletes with an opportunity to play competitive baseball and learn important values such as sportsmanship, discipline, and teamwork.

Over the years, American Legion Baseball has grown into one of the largest and most respected amateur baseball programs in the country. It has served as a launching pad for many talented players who have gone on to play at the collegiate and professional levels.

The program is open to players aged 13 to 19, and teams are organized at the local, regional, and national levels. Players are typically selected from high school and college tryouts, and they compete in a structured season that includes regular-season games, playoffs, and national tournaments.

American Legion Baseball has had a significant impact on the development of baseball talent in the United States. Many players who have participated in the program have gone on to have successful careers in Major League Baseball, including Hall of Famers such as George Brett, Reggie Jackson, and Tom Seaver.

In addition to the athletic aspect, American Legion Baseball places a strong emphasis on community involvement and service. The program encourages players to give back to their communities through volunteer work and community service projects.

Throughout its history, American Legion Baseball has remained dedicated to its mission of providing young athletes with a positive and enriching baseball experience. It continues to be a vital part of the American sports landscape, helping to shape the future of baseball in the country