POST HISTORY
On June 21, 1919 with 15 charter members, a decision to organize an American Legion post resulted from the conclusion of these veterans that the American Legion was the representative veterans' organization in this country. Our post was officially organized in Huntington. Dr. M.H. Krebs was named temporary chairman.
On June 21, 1921 our application for charter was submitted and on June 24, 1921 we received our Charter, and Fred Dick became our first Commander. We became Huntington Post 7, the second oldest Post in the State of Indiana. We only missed becoming the oldest post in Indiana by 7 days.
The members originally met in the Huntington County Courthouse. In late 1937 we bought a building from the Knights of Pythias, which was located at 214 W Market Street (Corner of Market and Cherry).
We moved into the building the day after Memorial Day, 1938.
The American Legion State Commander Russel Rhodes came to Huntington on Saturday May 25th for the dedication of our new Legion. The building went through some extensive remodeling. The distinctive windows in the front of the building and the markings of where the porch used to be is usually the only things that people can distinguish as the old Pythias house. Study all three pictures and you will see that they are the same building.
In 1947 we gained 1,278 new members. That made us the top post in Indiana in meeting and exceeding our quota. The Commander was Ray Teeters, Harold Gessaman was the Vice Commander. Harold was also the first WWII Veteran to hold a top position in our post.
In 1949 a Marine Corporal Carl E Schoeff of Huntington was one of the Marine guards on Special Duty at the Capitol for the Truman inaugauration. He later became a member of our post. That was also the year that our 1st Commander Fred Dick died Jan 29, 1949.
In 1951 a PFC Edman R. Camomile, son of Mr. & Mrs E. Ralph Camomile, had been in Korea long enough to be irked by Texans who displayed the Lone Star Flag and bragged about their State. He wrote to his parents to send him an Indiana State Flag. They went to the Herald Press, with the cooperation of Post 7 and the VFW an Indiana State Flag was rushed to Korea. After flying the flag PFC Camomile realized there were other Indiana soldiers in his unit.
In 1965 prior to Armistice/Veteran's Day Post 7 and VFW announced Operation Boost. American Legion Commander Bartrow and VFW Leader Charles Kannapel, President of Huntington County Council of Veterans, called on people in our town to boost the nation, Stand behind our men and women in Vietnam. There was the Biggest Veteran's Day Parade in Years.
In 1985 Our First Legion Post located at 214 W Market Street was torn down to make way for a City Parking Lot.
We moved our post to 65 Commercial Road (Currently the Country Post), we remained there until 1989. At which time we moved to Bryant Street, better known as the Omega Bld. During which time our post struggled. It was a hard decision to make but the Commander Bob Kline and others felt that it was in the best interest of our Post to close the doors for a few months.
In 1995 we reopened our doors and moved to 31 East Market Street. In 1996 a major storm hit Huntington and over 2' of water came rushing into our Post. Our important documents that were located in the basement were unfortunately destroyed.
In 1999 we moved into the old Huntington Hotel building located at 54 West Market Street.
A committee was formed to name the Post and that as a mark of respect to t
he Huntington men who died in the service of their country, the Post was named "Mike 
and George Bustos American Legion Post #7. Mike and George Bustos,Huntington’s war dead, were memorialized and honored establishing Mike and George Bustos American Legion Post 7.
On March 29, 1999
Mike Bustos
George Bustos
We remained their in the 54 W Market location until our new building located at 1330 Etna Avenue was built. On July 23, 2005 we broke ground at our current location 1330 Etna Ave., and on Saturday November 5, 2005 we had our Grand Opening Ceremonies. Ceremony began at 1:00 PM and Denny Harris provide Karaoke.
Everyone had
an opportunity to see the most unique and patriotic veterans mural around. This mural was designed and painted by local artist and veteran Bob Fettinger. Bob has also done several other paintings that are currently hanging with honor in our post. If you have not seen them please stop by our post take a look at some really nice art work.
Robert Cline is not just a 2 time past commander but he is an artist when it comes to building models of ships. He is seen to the right with the Mighty Mo which is displayed proudly in our new post. Bob has done numerous models which are displayed all over the country. He has done models for the Carribean Cruise line and a beautiful replica of the Titanic is on display at the Huntington Library. If you see Bob around the club tell him how much you admire his work, because it really is a true work of art.
On January 2009, Joey Dog Jackson, Barry Wehr, and Joie Jodrey decided that our Post needed and American Legion Rider Association, flyers were made up and posted at the club and throughout Huntington area. They had a meeting in March 2009 to see if there was an interest, they had 7 people interested. In April they had their first meeting and Officers were elected. Their membership has grown quickly they now have 25 members with more getting interested everyday. Our Riders took on the task of bringing the American Veterans Traveling Tribute also know as the Vietnam Traveling wall to Huntington. They had decided that it would probably take about 3yrs to accomplish this task. On July 6, 2009 the first of the fund raisers began with a Potato Dinner. On May 1st 2010 they had raised all of the money that was needed to pay for the walls arrival. On September 15, 2010 over 300 bikes escorted the Vietnam Traveling Wall into Huntington. 
The wall was erected at Hiers Park on September 16th and the grand opening ceremony was held at 1PM. Through the course of four days over 20,000 visitors came to Hiers Park to admire the wall, reminence, and pay tribute to over 58,523 heroes.
That conclusion that our original charter members had come to on June 21, 1919 has been proven true as today the American Legion is the largest wartime veterans' organization with nearly 15,000 local Posts throughout America and over 3 million members who care about America, veterans, their families and our nation's youth.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK PHIL WATSON (PAST COMMANDER), JULIE THEOBALD AND JOAN KEEFER FROM INDIANA ROOM AT HUNTINGTON LIBRARY FOR HAVING THE PATIENCE WITH ME FOR MY LACK OF KNOWLEDGE FOR INDIANA HISTORY.