American Legion Post 180

Membership meetings are held the first Thursday of the month at 6:30PM in the Annex at 145 Legion Road. The American Legion is a veteran's organization run by its members and serving the community. The Post was granted a charter on October 15, 1920 and has a rich history within Smithville and the surrounding area. The Post was named for, and in honor of Robert L. Steffens, who was the first casual

ty of World War One. The legion was organized soon after the war was over in 1918. The men called a meeting of the veterans and organized the legion on Main Street in front of Yerger Hill’s store. The first Commander was J.G. “Garth” Nichols of Smithville, Texas. In the early days, the Legion was established to support veterans who were thrown back into civilian life. The Legion turned itself into a nationwide employment service, with 11000 branch offices. Veterans reported at Legion posts for jobs, and over one million men found jobs in this way. The Legion began its fight for the relief of wounded and disabled soldiers. It organized a rehabilitation service to assist veterans in making claims for compensation and to obtain medical care. At the close of World War II, the Legion helped to compose the G.I. Bill of Rights and worked for its adoption by Congress.