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The History Of Post 5901
On Sunday, February 3, l946, a charter was issued to the newly-formed Ottawa Memorial Post 5901 from the National Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.
The people responsible for this event were the generation of citizens who had been reminded on each Decoration Day, later called Memorial Day, that November 11, l918, (the 11th hour, on the 11th day, in the 11th month) signified “the war to end all wars”. Future applicants for membership in VFW Post 5901, especially in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1990s, proved this to be, unfortunately, untrue.
The impetus behind the creation of Ottawa VFW Post 5901 is the advent of World War II. Ottawans were enjoying a pleasant Sunday, December 7, 1941, with temperatures in the upper 50s with a light wind out the southwest, when, at 8:10 A.M. in Hawaii and 12:10 P.M. in Ottawa, Japanese aircraft began their attack, which lasted until 9:25 A.M. Hawaii time. When it ended, those 75 minutes had changed the lives of every man, woman and child in Franklin County, Kansas, and everywhere else in the United States.
Three years, eight months and seven days after December 7, 1941, total victory came to the United States and its allies. World War II – European Theatre ended on May 8, 1945, and the Japanese surrender on August 14, 1945. Now, thousands of honorably- discharged men and, to a lesser extent, women, were returning home from overseas duty to civilian pursuits. Written accounts taken from the Ottawa Herald newspaper of the events of the returning veterans can be found at the present Post building.
Robert “Bob” Compton, a WWII veteran, graduate of Ottawa High School and an advertising salesman for the Ottawa Herald, announced plans for a VFW Post in the January 21, 1946 edition of the newspaper. Assisting with these plans were former VFW Post Commander Marion F. Burton, from Kansas City, Missouri and James Saunders of Lawrence, Kansas.
There were at least twenty interested veterans who planned to attend a follow-up meeting on Sunday, January 27, 1946, in the IOOF Hall. At this second meeting, between forty and fifty people attended and thirty-six became paid-up members.
Post officers elected for the first term were: Commander – Bob Compton, Senior Vice Commander – Lyle Reddick, Quartermaster – Roy Lichtenberger and Chaplain – Alfonso Mages. The position of Officer Adjutant was not filled at this meeting. These men were installed as Post Officers on Sunday, February 3, l946, the date the charter was issued.
This year we observe Sixty Years of Service to individuals, families, and the community. The Ladies’ Auxiliary, which has been a tremendous force for activity and continuity, was chartered on February 25, l946. To provide a significant report of the history of these two veterans’ organizations requires more time, research, accessibility and accommodation of information, and the foresight needed to gather and maintain such an extensive report. A written report is vital to keep memory fresh as oral history fades.
A display of activities and events commemorating this 60th anniversary is on display in the Post Home.
The VFW logo was in the February 12, l946 edition of the Ottawa Herald newspaper. This was its first use by the Ottawa VFW Post.
By Joe Wakefield III, Past Post Commander, Ottawa Memorial Post 5901, Veterans of Foreign Wars – Publicity Chairman
February 11, 2006
 Past Commanders and Presidents
Post 5901 Charter Members
Post 5901 Ladies Auxiliary Charter Members
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