Post History

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A temporary charter for the Charles McGovern Post #42 in Ankeny was issued June 9, 1919. The original post name honored McGovern as the first Ankeny man who died in WWI, but later, the post changed its name to the Albaugh-McGovern Post to honor Lester Albaugh, another local man who also had given his life to the war. As one of the original posts founded in the first year of the organization, it shares the 100-year anniversary with the parent group. It was the first Legion post in Polk County and included 61 members from the Ankeny, Elkhart and Alleman areas.
 

The post members first met at random available places, mostly homes, then at its first permanent home at the former Farmer’s Savings Bank building in Ankeny. After receiving funds from a single private donor, a new home was built in the Ankeny business area on a lot donated by the city. It was dedicated on Sept. 5, 1948, and remains the current Legion Hall.

 

In addition to collecting used flags for proper disposal, Post 42 also has the distinction of being the largest seller of American flags among all Legion posts in the country, due largely to the initial effout of Gerald “Jetter” Ballard (who died in 2019), a WWII veteran and 70-year post member. Flag sales help fund many of their community activities. Members and volunteers decorate almost 1000 veterans’ graves in area cemeteries for Memorial Day.                                            

 

VITAL STATISTICS
 

Post 42 meets the second Thursday of each month, from September - June at its building at 521 SW 3rd St. Ankeny, IA 50023. A dinner precedes each meeting.
 

Ankeny McGovern-Albaugh Post #42 has about 180 total members, with about 25 members active in meetings and activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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