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American Legion Post #43: Revitalized and Relevant! (41m 34s) https://jotengine.com/transcriptions/ns9ZdJXxNZila3ygr0pi2A 4 speakers (Theo Mayer, Dave Kramer, Fernando RIvero, Lester Probst) [0:00:08] Theo Mayer: Welcome to World War I Centennial News, the Doughboy Podcast, episode number 137. The Doughboy Podcast is about what happened 100 years ago during and after the war that changed the world. And it's not only about. Then it's also about now. How World War I is still present in our daily lives in countless ways. But most important, the podcast is about why and how we'll never let the awareness of World War I fall back into the mists of obscurity. So, join us as we explore the many facets of World War I, both then and now. This week on the show, for 100 years ago, we're going to explore the headlines in the papers of the last week of August in 1919. But instead of focusing on the main headlines we're going deeper into the papers for an insight into what was on people's minds and interests 100 years ago in the aftermath of the war. We have our second installment of our new feature, Born in the Month Of, where you'll meet some famous, some notorious, and some interesting people born in the month of August and learn their connection to or service in World War I. For Remembering Veterans, we have a great interview with Fernando Rivero and Lester Probst from American Legion Post number 43. A post that has taken its unique location, community, and heritage and has leveraged those to revitalize and reinvigorate the Post, its membership, its standing in the community, and its revenue generating ability. It's a really great story. And we'll close with highlights from the Dispatch newsletter all this week on World War I Centennial News, the Doughboy Podcast, which is sponsored and brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Doughboy Foundation, dedicated to remembering those who served in World War I and to building the National World War I memorial in Washington, D.C. I'm Theo Mayer, the chief technologist for the Commission and your host. Welcome to the show. As we mentioned at the top of the show, this week we're going to do something we haven't done in a while. We're going back 100 years to the last week of August 1919 and we're going to explore the stories found in the newspaper. But we decided to change it up a little. We're not going to explore the front page headlines above the fold, where the generally obvious news about labor unrest, and congressional debate about the Peace Agreement, and the League of Nations is going on. Instead, we're looking at stories a few pages in, to get some insight into the mood and the interests in our nation during the aftermath of World War I. So with that, let's jump into our centennial time machine and go back to the last week of August 1919. Our first story is an excellent example of a famous quote usually attributed to Mark Twain. Quote, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." As it would a century later, when certain calls for testimony before Congress is met with resistance or refusal as illustrated in the headlines of our first story from the pages of The New York Times. Dateline August 31, 1919. Headline. Pershing rejects call to testify. Too busy on last days in Paris to meet Congress War Expenditure Committee. Accused of contempt. The story goes on to describe that the committee in France investigating more than just the war department expenses is led by representative Royal Johnson and Oscar Bland. They want to interview Pershing on court marshal procedures, the possible abuse of American military prisoners, and other irregularities, as well as expenditures. An official statement from the committee said, quote "It is regrettable that there should even be the appearance of conflict between military and civilian authority at this time, when the world should become normal and be governed, not by armies or individuals, but by law." The congressmen vow that Pershing will testify before Congress when they're back in the United States. That hearing won't get underway until 1920. Ironically, while one congressional committee is declaring Pershing in contempt, another is bestowing upon him the honor of General for Life and planning a celebration in the halls of the capitol for him when he gets home. Oh my! As explored on a recent podcast, this is the era when American philanthropy defines itself. And one of the largest foundations that came to be was that of Andrew Carnegie, who intended to give away all of his money before he died, which happened this month on August 11th. As per the headlines this week in 1919, he doesn't quite make it and misses it by just about $30,000,000. Again, from the New York Times. Dateline August 30, 1919. Headline. Carnegie estate at time of death about $30,000,000. Had already made total philanthropic gifts including bequests estimated at over $370,000,000. Will of remainder probated yesterday. Distributes $10,000,000 to friends and philanthropies. Residue to public use. Just two weeks after his death on August 11th, Andrew Carnegie's will is probated with a few surprises like $10,000 a year for the widows of Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Grover Cleveland. And the same amount to various public figures, both in the U.S., such as former President William Howard Taft, and also to foreigners, such as Britain's Prime Minister David Lloyd George. Although fascinating, there's no reason given for these bequests. The bulk of his remaining estate, some $20,000,000, is to go to the Carnegie Foundation, thus following through on his earlier goal of giving it all away. Now, way in the paper on page 6 of the August 26th edition of the New York Times is a feel good story. Dateline August 26th, 1919. Headline. Girl ordered shot arrives here safe. Marie Gombier, who smashed German wireless plant, is to become an American. Wears her awarded French war cross, the Croix du Guerre. Now, the overall story is a relatively routine tale of passengers arriving in New York on the ocean liner Lorraine. But buried in the story, we learn of 21 year old Marie, whose life has been anything but routine. She's a Belgian orphan who hid from German soldiers early in the war, learned of a German radio transmitter, and set out to smash it. Marie was captured by the Germans, only to be rescued by Canadian troops while she was being transported to her execution. That brave young woman served with the Canadians as a nurse until the armistice, even being injured at Ypres. Now she faces a new and very different life, as she's been adopted by a woman in Los Angeles. Hey Netflix! Hollywood! Amazon! Are you paying attention here? It's summer and that means baseball. In 1919, a headline from the August 29th New York Times sets up a nearly 100 year long baseball legend. You see, last year, the Boston Red Sox won their 5th World Series title and are clearly one of the most successful professional baseball franchises in history. So, fans are definitely fascinated when the headline on August 29th in the Atlantic Constitution newspaper reads "Record prices offered for Babe Ruth. New York Yankees make bid of $75,000 plus two players in trade for the Tarzan of baseball." That deal launches one of baseball's most famous rivalries, as the previously lackluster New York Yankees become a winning team and the hapless Boston Red Sox hit a nearly century long dry spell, not winning a series pennant until well into the next millennium in 2004. A losing streak that would be named in the 1990 book as the curse of the bambino, a curse that will start in August 1919 in the aftermath of the war that changed the world. It's time for our new monthly segment called Born in the Month of, where you'll meet some of the famous, notorious, and influential people whose lives and careers were affected by World War I. Now, as you hear the facts about them, can you guess who we're talking about? And if you can't, don't worry, we'll tell you. Born in the Month of August will be presented by Dave Kramer. Dave! [0:09:28] Dave Kramer: Our first August birthday is for our sports fan listeners. He was in the spotlight well before he enlisted and entered World War I at age 38. He started as a right hand pitcher for the New York Giants in 1900. This hall of famer notched up 20 wins in his first season and a whopping 30 wins in each of the next three seasons. One of his finest moments came in the 1905 World Series, pitching three shut outs in three starts. During the war, as a captain in France, he was accidentally and tragically gassed during a training exercise. As a result, he suffered pulmonary complications, including tuberculosis, and died in 1925. He was posthumously elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in its very first class in 1936. His name was... Christy Matthewson. Our next August birthday gained his fame as result of family connection and personal talent.