DUANE
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Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker says about Parramore Post Number Fifty-Seven of the American Legion, standing there in Taylor County. Now, the American Legion was founded in March of 1919, born out of the smoke and mud of the First World War, a place where veterans could stand together once the fighting was done. And Abilene didn't waste a single minute.
Abilene Post Number Fifty-Seven got itself organized on the Fourth of July, chartered that same September, one of one hundred such chapters formed in the legion's first six months. Think about that. One hundred posts in half a year.
These men were not inclined to sit still. Soon after its inception, the post was renamed. And the name they chose tells you something.
James Harrison Parramore, born in 1840, died in 1917, one of Abilene's own founders, a Civil War veteran, and a man who had been a supporter of the local National Guard. His name went on the door, and it has stayed there ever since. In 1920, the post built its first structure out of natural stone.
Solid. Fitting. Then the Ladies' Auxiliary came along, formed in 1922 and chartered in 1925, and the thing kept growing.
By 1937, the legion facilities had expanded, housing the Ladies' Auxiliary and including what was, for many years, the only public swimming pool in Abilene. The only one. In a West Texas summer, that was not a small thing.
In 1942, World War II veterans were admitted into the fold. Then came the veterans of Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and other major military conflicts. Generation after generation, adding their service to the ledger.
But 1980. That's where the story catches in the throat. The legion building was virtually destroyed by fire.
And with it went the post's records. Names, dates, the paper memory of decades. Gone.
They kept going anyway. Because that is what this post does. The American Legion's stated purpose is to protect the interests of United States war veterans and their families, and Parramore Post Number Fifty-Seven has taken that charge seriously.
Employment help, financial aid, medical care, government benefits. Memorial Day parades, Veterans Day programs. And beyond all that, an active role in civic service, working with Abilene's youth and its underprivileged citizens.
Fire took the records. It did not take the mission. Parramore Post Number Fifty-Seven, named for a founder, built by veterans, remains an integral part of the Abilene community to this day.
Some things, it turns out, are harder to burn than stone.
What the marker says
Founded in March 1919, the American Legion was established as a World War I veterans' organization. Abilene Post No. 57 was organized on July fourth and chartered in September of that year, one of one hundred such chapters formed in the legion's first six months. Soon after its inception the post was renamed for James Harrison Parramore (1840-1917), one of Abilene's founders and a Civil War veteran who had been a supporter of the local National Guard. The post's first structure was built of natural stone in 1920. The Ladies' Auxiliary was formed in 1922 and chartered in 1925. Legion facilities, expanded in 1937, housed the Ladies' Auxiliary and included what was for many years the only public swimming pool in Abilene. In 1942, World War II veterans were admitted; veterans of the wars in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf later became members, as did veterans of other major military conflicts. The legion building was virtually destroyed by fire in 1980, eliminating the post's records. The purpose of the American Legion is "to protect the interests of United States war veterans and their families." The legion has assisted veterans with employment, financial aid, medical care, and government benefits. The members celebrate Memorial Day and Veterans Day with parades and programs. The Parramore post also takes an active role in civic service, working with Abilene's youth and underprivileged citizens. Parramore Post No. 57 continues to uphold the traditions of its founders and remains an integral part of the Abilene community. (1998)