By Kris Leonhardt

Continued from previous week

In the early years of the organization, Pete Engwall served as commander of the “John Buckley Post 2534” in Wisconsin Rapids.

In the mid-1930s, the post held their meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the “Wood County Realty” hall, with their sister organization, the women’s auxiliary, sometimes joining them.

The group sponsored a weekly radio program on WLBL, Stevens Point, jointly sponsored by the Marshfield, Stevens Point, Wausau, and Wisconsin Rapids posts.

Baldwin

The 1940s saw the group hosting Poppy Sales for the disabled, a picnic hosted at Lake Wazeecha welcoming 1,500 guests, a carnival, and a “Speak Up for Democracy” program.

The John Buckley Post, in conjunction with the American Legion post, later created a radio program series entitled “Fellow Americans” which aired on WFHR. The program featured civic, industrial, and business leaders in the community, and was designed to support the nation’s war effort.

During the post’s July 3, 1946, meeting, the organization adopted the Buckley-Baldwin name, in recognition of Victor F. Baldwin, who was killed in action during World War II, in November 1944.

Baldwin was the son of a past commander, Louis Baldwin, and was one of the first men serving in World War II to become a member of the post.

Baldwin volunteered for service after graduating from Lincoln High School and working a short time for Consolidated Light & Power company.

That same year, the post instituted a “Forward March!” campaign. Their membership grew from 275 to 600, earning them a plaque from the state for the highest growth.

In August, the post acquired 11 lots from Wood County between 19^th and 20^th Avenue South, for the purpose of building a clubhouse.

The building campaign was set up as an investment, rather than a donation campaign, with members encouraged to invest in increments of $20 “in a loan at six percent payable in or before six years.”

In February of 1948, the post acquired the Charles E. Gibson property at 1011 West Grand Avenue, as the new site for their future clubhouse, as well as a youth center.

The property came with a two-story frame house, which was planned for use as a temporary headquarters.

In a declaration by the post, the group said, “Buckley-Baldwin Post is especially indebted to Charles E. Gibson, who gave our organization the first chance to buy the favorable location. Mr. Gibson was prompted by the consideration that his father, James D. Gibson, was one of Wisconsin Rapids’ last surviving veterans of the Civil War, and his sons, George J. and Harry W. Gibson, are both veterans of World War I. He wished the old homestead that has sent three men to the great wars to continue to be associated with veterans.”

Continued next week