Synopsis of Clement R. Bontemps Post 139, Bay St. Louis MS
Clement R. Bontemps American Legion Post was originally chartered as Post No. 97, May 14, 1920, however; the charter was canceled a year later. The post was re-chartered as Post 139 on March 7, 1923. The post was named after Clement R. Bontemps a native son of Bay St. Louis, one of the first casualties of World War I.
The goals and principals of the American Legion are to assist the Veterans and Widows, and orphans of the veterans, and to promote the general welfare of the Community, State, and nation.
Clement R. Bontemps, American Legion Post 139, has through its many programs assisted the Community in all of its endeavors. We have provided education programs, social activity, and have at the same time assisted the veterans and their dependents, when their needs arose.
General programs in effect at the present time are: Boys State , whereby young men of the community are provided an insight and an introduction to governmental affairs. A selection of one junior student from each of the local high schools is provided a week at the State Capital and are actively engaged in the process of government.
The legion provided a trip to Washington for a student from a local high school, each year, to allow this student to actively engage in the governmental affairs of the nation.
The post provides a yearly scholarship of $500.00 to a local high school student, to the University of Mississippi .
The post also provides a yearly scholarship of $500.00 granted a local high school student, to attend Pearl River Junior College , and/or Vo-Tech. The post has always been active in the youth of the community; we have provided facilities for meetings, and funding of such organizations as Explorer, Boy, Girl, and Cub Scouts. The post donated $10,000.00 to establish a camp for scouting in North Hancock County .The post has continually provided clothing shelter, and food for those needs veterans, or their dependents when called to our attention. The post each month provides parties for the veterans at the veteran’s hospital.
The post from its beginning has engaged actively in civic affairs. We have endeavored to assist the local government whenever called upon both by active participation and by lending our facilities for meetings, programs, and as a disaster shelter. Most recently the post leased to the County their pier and harbor, at a cost of $1.00 a year for the use of the general public.
The post established the Hancock Blood Band and continues to support their endeavor, by providing a place for all blood drawings.
The post provides funds to support Little League Baseball in the community, it not only sponsors a team it also provides awards and banquets for the team after each season. The post conducts a County Veterans Day program honoring all veterans of all wars. The post provides American flags for all schools and classrooms of the county.Since 1923, Post 139 has had 91 Commanders, ONLY eight adjutants, and only twelve Finance Officers.
Membership today is in excess of 500 members.In 1947 the post purchased property on South Beach at Main Street in Bay St. Louis with the intent of building its home. In 1950 the post home was built on the beach overlooking the Bay of St. Louis .
To enhance the property and to provide recreational facilities a pier and harbor was built. In 1955 an extension to the existing building was planned, and in 1958 the new extension was finished. In 1969 the American Legion home was completely destroyed by hurricane Camille. The post having lost their meeting facilities met in the old scout house and made plans to build a new home.With an assist of $25,000.00 from the National American Legion, and Legionnaires throughout the country, the post purchased a home at 703 Green Meadow Road.
In 1971 the post constructed its new meeting facilities. The new meeting home if presently located on a four acre piece of ground with adjourning club house, swimming pool, scout house which was destroyed by Katrina. The construction of these facilities was made possible through the grant from the National American Legion, and a $50,000.00, 3% loan from the Small Business Administration, and available post funds. The facilities had approximately four feet of water from hurricane Katrina. The large building, along with the Club House/lounge area had to be completely remolded on the inside. The scout hut was completely destroyed and had to be torn down. We have completed our remolding projects by very dedicated legion members, and we are now back in very modern facilities.This is just a brief synopsis of Clement R. Bontemps, Post 139, American Legion Department of Mississippi.
Stop by 703 Green Meadow Road, and visit us sometimes.
