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87-768: In 1911, the Turlock Melon Carnival took place for the first time, sponsored by the Turlock Chamber of Commerce . The Turlock Melon Carnival was an effort to promote and market the local melon industry and shipping business. A group of musicians was organized to become the Melon City Band. Other than 1917–18, the Melon Carnival lasted only a few years, and in 1924 the American Legion Rex Ish Post 88 organized

174-725: A California State Point of Historical Interest . A marker was unveiled in an opening night ceremony during the 1999 fair and is on public view just inside the historic Arch Gate. The Stanislaus County Fair celebrated its centennial fair in 2011. Tastes of the Valley Wine & Cheese is put on by the Stanislaus State Agriculture Department and Friends of the Fair Foundation. There had been fair interruptions in 1917–18 because of World War I , 1942–45 due to World War II ; and 2020 due to

261-530: A Fourth of July celebration for largely the same purpose. In 1925 the American Legion resurrected the name Turlock Melon Carnival for the mid-summer festival, and in 1927 a seven-acre plot of land was purchased to give the Carnival a permanent home. By the early 1940s, the fairgrounds had grown to 37 acres. The 4H and Future Farmers of America livestock shows were instituted in 1933, and in 1935

348-759: A tentative constitution and selected the name "American Legion". The aftermath of two American wars in the second half of the 19th century had seen the formation of several ex-soldiers' organizations. Former Union Army soldiers of the American Civil War of 1861–65 established a fraternal organization, the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), while their Southern brethren formed the United Confederate Veterans (UCV). Both organizations emerged as powerful political entities, with

435-488: A "preparedness" society with a claimed membership of 35,000 that had been absorbed into the Council of National Defense in 1916. The Committee on Constitution reported with a report containing the draft of a Preamble for the organization, specifying organizational objectives. This document stated that the group: desiring to perpetuate the principles of Justice, Freedom, and Democracy for which we have fought, to inculcate

522-624: A 100 Percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our association in the Great War; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state, and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to prosperity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by devotion to mutual helpfulness. The St. Louis Caucus spent much of its time discussing resolutions: whether

609-597: A Fair attendance record was made when 261,089 persons attended – this record is still undefeated. The Fair expanded to its current 10-day length by 1994. In 1999 The Stanislaus County Fair Board of Directors with support of the Turlock American Legion resolved that the Stanislaus County Fair Arch Gate be recognized as a California State Point of Historical Interest. A marker was unveiled during an opening night ceremony during

696-702: A Native American chief. Estanislao was his baptismal name, the Spanish rendition of Stanislaus, the name of an 11th-century Catholic Saint Stanislaus the Martyr. Turlock was founded on December 22, 1871, by John William Mitchell. Construction of the Central Pacific Railroad at that time had reached a station designated to be named after Mitchell, but he declined the honor and suggested instead it be named after Turlough in County Mayo, Ireland. Thus,

783-419: A blizzard of acceptances to attend the opening of the "Liberty League Caucus", as he had begun to call it, Temporary Secretary Eric Fisher Wood began to search for use of a room of sufficient size to contain the gathering. The Cirque de Paris had been retained, a large, multisided amphitheater that could accommodate about 2,000 people. Delegates began to assemble from all over France. The 10:00 am scheduled start

870-562: A citizens committee for the purpose of aiding wartime relief. 1946, following the conclusion of the war, the Fair was resumed with 46,555 attendees and the Fair managers announced that the fairground facilities were to be available year-round. August 12-August 17, Price of season Ticket - $ 1, August 11–16, paid attendance 31,581 Captain Isidore Weiss, camp psychiatrist stated that Turlock had “restored more soldiers than perhaps half all

957-550: A convention in Paris began apace. Wood prepared a convention call and "invitations" were distributed to about 2,000 officers and enlisted men and publicized in the March 14, 1919 issue of Stars and Stripes . The convention call expressed the desire to form "one permanent nation-wide organization...composed of all parties, all creeds, and all ranks who wish to perpetuate the relationships formed while in military service." In addition to

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1044-536: A dozen potential names, including Veterans of the Great War, Liberty League, American Comrades of the Great War, Legion of the Great War, and The American Legion, among others. This list was whittled down to five ranked choices for the consideration of the Caucus, with "The American Legion" the preferred option. It was noted in passing during the course of debate on the topic that Roosevelt had been responsible for an earlier organization called "The American Legion" in 1914,

1131-572: A fair theme of "100 Years of Fair Fun", which started featured a centennial exhibit which contained 100 years of fair history and fun. The Fair also sold over 40 of the once-in-a-lifetime 100-Year Pass, good for 100 years of Fair admission. The 99th Stanislaus County Fair ran from July 16 to July 25, 2010. The free concert performances included WAR , KC & The Sunshine Band , Bill Engvall , Natalie Grant and Tenth Avenue North , The Beach Boys , Jack Ingram and Chuck Wicks , Boys Like Girls , Blake Shelton , Terri Clark , Los Tucanes . The Fair theme

1218-528: A group of 20 non-career officers to report to the YMCA in Paris on February 15, 1919. Roosevelt had personally selected these men. They were joined by a number of regular Army officers Pershing selected. Twenty National Guard and Reserve officers serving in the A. E. F., representing the S. O. S. , ten infantry divisions, and several other organizations, were ordered to report in Paris. ... Included in this number were Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., of

1305-432: A longer rope was substituted, and Everest was pushed off the bridge again. The lynch mob then shined their car headlights on the hanging Everest and shot him. Although a mob milled around the jail all night, terrorizing the occupants, no further acts of extra-legal retribution were taken. Everest's body was cut down the next morning, falling into the riverbed below, where it remained all day. As night fell, Everest's body

1392-522: A parade of Legionnaires took place in the mill town of Centralia , in southwestern Washington . Some of the marchers planned at the conclusion of their patriotic demonstration to storm and ransack the local hall maintained by the Industrial Workers of the World , a labor union founded 14 years earlier at a convention of socialists, anarchists, Marxists, and radical trade unionists from all over

1479-403: A parade, horse cart race between fire departments and a merry-go-round. The Carnival was not held once the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, and for the remainder of the war. It returned in 1919. In 1925 the first Melon Carnival to be sponsored by the American Legion was held. It moved a couple times until finally for the 1927 carnival a seven-acre plot of ground was acquired at $ 500 per acre as

1566-610: A permanent location, along with an old circus tent to house commercial exhibits. In 1929, the Fairgrounds’ ever present Arch Gate was constructed using smoothed over river boulders. 1932 paid admissions 21,893. In 1935, the Stanislaus District Fair succeeded the melon carnivals and the first annual Fair horse show was held. In 1937 a nearby ranch was purchased to add to the seven acre field. 1939 The District Agriculture Association assumed sole responsibility for

1653-526: A petition from 20 of the enlisted women of the U.S. Naval Reserve Force for a charter to organize a post to be known as "Betsy Ross Post No. l", composed entirely of Yeomen (F) of the U.S. Navy. In October of that year, the post changed its name to U.S.S. Jacob Jones, which commemorated the members' Navy heritage. Congress granted The American Legion a national charter in September 1919. The American Legion chartered Paris Post No. 1 on December 13, 1919. It

1740-410: A presidential nominating convention—"We Want Teddy! We Want Teddy!" A minor crisis followed when Roosevelt twice declined nomination for permanent chairman of the session, to the consternation of many overwrought delegates, who sought to emphasize the symbolism of President Roosevelt's son maintaining the closest of connections with the organization. The St. Louis Caucus's work was largely shaped by

1827-539: A program for the unnamed veterans organization. Instead, they chose to expand their number with a large preliminary meeting, to consist of an equal number of elected delegates to represent both enlisted men and commissioned officers. A provisional executive committee of four men emerged from the February 15 "Roosevelt dinner": Roosevelt in the first place, who was to return to the U.S. and obtain his military discharge when able, and then to gather assistants and promote

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1914-556: A stand should be taken on the League of Nations , Prohibition , or the implementation of universal military service ; whether posts composed of Negro soldiers should be established; and whether Secretary of War Newton D. Baker should be impeached for his apparent leniency toward conscientious objectors in the months after the war. A particularly hard line was taken toward the American radical movement, with one resolution passed on

2001-488: A total of 3,669 Japanese Americans from the Sacramento River Delta and Los Angeles areas passed through the camp before it closed on August 12. As in several other WCCA sites, many of the inmates were housed in "apartments" that had been converted from livestock stalls, while others lived in military-style barracks. After the assembly center shut down, the site was converted into a Rehabilitation Center for

2088-550: A whistle giving the signal to the Legionnaires to charge the IWW headquarters building. A group of marchers rushed the hall, smashing the front plate-glass window and attempting to kick the door in. As the door gave way, shots were fired at the intruders from within. This provided the signal to other armed IWW members, who were stationed across the street, to set up crossfire against potential invaders, and they also began firing on

2175-646: Is active in issue-oriented U.S. politics. Its primary political activity is lobbying on behalf of veterans and service members , including for benefits such as pensions and the Veterans Health Administration . The American Legion was established in Paris, France, on March 15 to 17, 1919, by a thousand commissioned officers and enlisted men, delegates from all the units of the American Expeditionary Forces to an organization caucus meeting, which adopted

2262-586: Is therefore not extravagant to state that the new but proven concept of rehabilitation of military offenders should be considered one of the major social contributions of World War II. Two months later, in the height of war panic, President Roosevelt authorized the exclusion of Japanese Americans on the west coast to various camps in response to Japan’s attack. At this time nearly a dozen fairgrounds, including Turlock’s, were recruited to duty as Assembly Centers for receiving local Japanese Americans before they were sent to various camps. More than 3,000 people came through

2349-502: The AEF was pressing and immediate. With the war at an end, hundreds of thousands of impatient draftees found themselves trapped in France and pining for home, certain only that untold weeks or months lay ahead of them before their return would be logistically possible. Morale plummeted. Cautionary voices were raised about an apparent correlation between disaffected and discharged troops and

2436-680: The Bolshevik uprisings in Russia , Finland , Germany , and Hungary . This situation was a particular matter of concern to Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt Jr. , President Theodore Roosevelt 's eldest son. One day in January 1919, he had a discussion at General Headquarters with the mobilized National Guard officer George A. White , a former newspaper editor at the Portland Oregonian . After long discussion, he suggested

2523-622: The COVID-19 pandemic . There was an online event in 2020. The mission of the Stanislaus County Fair is to provide a family and community oriented experience promoting agriculture, entertainment and technology. Stanislaus County was formed from part of Tuolumne County in 1854. The county is named for the Stanislaus River, first discovered by a European in 1806, and later named Rio Estanislao in honor of Estanislao,

2610-490: The First Division , Lieutenant Colonel Franklin D'Olier of the S.O.S., and Lieutenant Colonel Eric Fisher Wood of the 88th Division . All of these officers have since told me that when they left their divisions they were distinctively permeated with the desire to form a veterans' organization of some comprehensive kind. When they got to Paris they immediately went into conference with the other officers. ... A dinner

2697-499: The U.S. Army Ninth Service Command , from 1942 to 1945. The Turlock Rehabilitation Center was used to discipline and rehabilitate soldiers who had violated military orders and prepare them for reinstatement, the Turlock Rehabilitation Center was the first of these facilities to be established and ultimately became the largest, with a peak population of 1,500. The fair resumed operation in 1946, and in 1956

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2784-668: The 1999 Fair and is on public view just inside the historic Arch Gate. Prior to the 2010 Fair, a dedication ceremony honoring the Japanese Americans involved in the Turlock Assembly Center of 1941 was held and a memorial was erected near the Floriculture building. There have been many uses made of the Fairground facilities all year round for a near 100 years now including the temporary campus of

2871-706: The American Veterans of Foreign Service, known today as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW). With the termination of hostilities in World War I in November 1918, some American officers who had participated in the conflict began to think about creating a similar organization for the two million men who had been on European duty. The need for an organization for former members of

2958-642: The Budweiser Stage included Friday July 12 - Clay Walker, Weird Al Yankovic, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, 38 Special, Hinder, Huey Lewis and The News, Tower of Power, Morris Day & the Time, and Gloriana The 101st Stanislaus County Fair ran from July 13 to July 22, 2012. The free concert performances included Foreigner , Kellie Pickler , The Wiggles , Peking Acrobats of Beijing , Bret Michaels , LeAnn Rimes , and Diego Verdaguer & Amanda Miguel . This year introduced its newest brand theme “Imagine

3045-580: The California State University Stanislaus. With humble beginnings as a 7-acre location, it has grown over 10 times that size into a 72-acre grounds. With 2020 being canceled for the first time in 75 years, the 103rd was deferred to 2021. Annual attendance - past 10 years* The fair returned following last year's hiatus caused by COVID-19 pandemic, with strict measures. The 102nd Stanislaus County Fair ran from July 12 to July 21, 2013. The free concert performances on

3132-793: The Fun!” The Stanislaus County Fair began its award-winning Kids Club Educational Program (formally known as Kidz Club), which offers both children and parents the educational opportunity to learn more about the Fair's rich agricultural heritage and tradition that is unique to the Central Valley. The centennial Stanislaus County Fair ran from July 15 to July 24, 2011. The free concert performances included Clint Black , Boyz II Men , America , MercyMe , Clay Walker , Big Time Rush , Bob & Time Comedy All-Stars , Joan Jett & The Blackhearts , Joe Nicols & Heidi Newfield , La Original Banda el Limon de Salvador Lizarraga . The Fair celebrated with

3219-740: The GAR serving as a mainstay of the Republican Party , which controlled the presidency from the Civil War through William Howard Taft 's administration except during Grover Cleveland 's two terms in office. In Southern politics the UCV maintained an even more dominant position as a bulwark of the Democratic Party , which dominated there. The conclusion of the brief Spanish–American conflict of 1898 ushered in another soldiers' organization,

3306-564: The Legion included only four members—two Republicans and two Democrats. After 1920 the National Legislative Committee was expanded to consist of one member from each state, with additional effort made at the state level to exert pressure upon various state legislatures. Chief on the Legion's legislative agenda was a dramatic improvement of the level of compensation for soldiers who suffered permanent disability during

3393-535: The Legion's National Legislative Committee in conjunction with cables National Commander Franklin D'Olier sent to Congressional leaders helped pass this legislation by the end of 1919. The Legion's chief base of support during its first years was among the officers corps of the reserves and the National Guard . The regular army was comparatively small and its representation in the League in its earliest days

3480-453: The Legionnaires' death toll to four. Everest was taken alive, kicked and beaten, with a belt wrapped around his neck as he was dragged back to town to be lynched . But local police intervened, and Everest was taken to jail, where he was thrown down on the concrete floor. At 7:30 pm, on cue, all city lights in town went out for 15 minutes and Legionnaires stopped cars and forced them to turn out their headlights. The Elks Hall gathering entered

3567-489: The Legionnaires. In less than a minute the firing was over, with three AL members left dead or dying and others wounded. Taken by surprise by the armed defense of IWW headquarters, many Legionnaires rushed home to arm themselves, while others broke into local hardware stores to steal guns and ammunition. Now armed, a furious mob reassembled and charged the IWW Hall again, capturing six IWW members inside. The mob destroyed

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3654-543: The State of California issued a charter that established the 38th District Agriculture Association (DAA), which remains today. The “fair” was run jointly by the American Legion post and the DAA until 1944, when the American Legion sold the site and buildings to the DAA, which has had sole responsibility for its operation ever since. No fairs were held during World War II , although the carnivals and horse pulling events continued in

3741-491: The Turlock Assembly Center during the 3 ½ months it was in use in 1942. The Japanese Americans who were temporarily held at the Turlock Assembly Center were memorialized with a monument earlier this year. It is with hope that anyone who passes the monument will take the time to read it, and learn about Turlock Assembly Center. After these 3 ½ months, the Turlock Fairgrounds became an army rehabilitation center for

3828-587: The U.S. was established in 1919. Branstetter was a Van Tassell resident who died in World War I. The structure housing the post has since been demolished. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. In 1969, it was hoped that an interpretative sign would be put up, and also possibly that a restored post building would be constructed. The first post of the Legion, General John Joseph Pershing Post Number 1 in Washington, DC,

3915-410: The U.S., which had been the target of multiple arrests, large trials, and various incidents of mob violence during the months of American participation in World War I. But the plans for this violence had reached union members (commonly called Wobblies), and 30 or 40 IWW members had been seen coming and going at their hall on the day of the march, some of them carrying guns. At 2 p.m. the march began at

4002-399: The administration of such a policy should be removed from the complete control of any exclusively military organization or caste. 3. That we are strongly opposed to compulsory military service in time of peace. Additional resolutions the founding convention passed emphasized the need for military preparedness, albeit through a citizens' army of reservists and National Guardsmen rather than

4089-501: The city park, led by a marching band playing "Over There". Marchers included Boy Scouts , members of the local Elks Lodge , active-duty sailors, and marines, with about 80 members of the newly established Centralia and Chehalis posts bringing up the rear. As the parade turned onto Tower Avenue and crossed Second Street, it passed IWW Hall. The parade stopped and Legionnaires surrounded the hall. Parade Marshal Adrian Cormier rode up on horseback and, according to some witnesses, blew

4176-537: The constitution and the organization's publications done by committee at night. The preamble of the constitution adopted in St. Louis became one of the seminal statements of the Legion's orientation and objectives: For God and Country we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate

4263-418: The costly and undemocratic structure of a vast standing army led by a professional military caste. This nationalist isolationism remained in place until the eve of American entry into World War II . November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of Armistice Day and the occasion of the Legion's formal launch at its Minneapolis Founding Convention, was also a historic moment of violence and controversy. On that day

4350-484: The dissemination of partisan principles or for the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or preferment; and no candidate for or incumbent of a salaried elective public office shall hold any office in The American Legion or in any branch or post thereof. One semi-official historian of the organization has noted the way that this explicit refusal to affiliate with a political party had

4437-612: The downtown area. The fairgrounds were turned over to the Wartime Civilian Control Administration, which oversaw the "evacuation" of Japanese Americans from the West Coast under the provisions of Executive Order 9066 . The Turlock Assembly Center was one of fifteen temporary camps where Japanese Americans were held while the more permanent War Relocation Authority concentration camps were being constructed. Turlock opened on April 30, 1942, and

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4524-457: The duty and obligation of the citizen to the State; to preserve the history and incidents of our participation in the war; and to cement the ties of comradeship formed in service, do propose to found and establish an Association for the furtherance of the foregoing purposes. The majority report of the Committee on Convention recommended that 11 am on November 11, 1919—one year to the hour after

4611-545: The end of the first day, the officers retired to the Inter-Allied Officers Club, a converted home across the street from the YMCA building. There, Roosevelt told them of his proposal for a new veterans' society. Most of those present were rapidly won to Roosevelt's plan. The officers decided to make all their actions provisional until an elected convention of delegates could convene and did not predetermine

4698-486: The final day calling on Congress to "pass a bill or immediately deporting every one of those Bolsheviks or Industrial Workers of the World ." Minneapolis, Minnesota , was chosen for the site of the organization's founding convention in November over the more centrally located Chicago after much acrimonious debate about the Chicago city administration's perceived political transgressions. The formal founding convention

4785-514: The first replacement heifer sale was staged. 1964 Long-time Fair manager Clyde Rigsbee died, John Lovel took over the reins as Fair manager at this time. The fair expanded to seven days in 1975. 1970, August 3–8 1971, 119,454 (August 2–7) 1974, Adult admission $ 1, Children 6-12 $ 0.50 1975, Fair adds another day, becoming a 7-day event The fair expanded to nine days in 1981. The 1984 Fair featured such acts as Paul Revere & The Raiders with Adult admission being $ 2 and Child admission $ .50. In 1989,

4872-500: The fledgling organization's provisional Executive Committee decided to allow each state delegation twice as many votes as that state had in the United States House of Representatives and left it to each to determine how to apportion those votes. Participants at the St. Louis Caucus were enthusiastic, but the session was not productive. Fully two days were invested choosing ceremonial officers and selecting Minneapolis as

4959-401: The fundamental decisions made by the earlier Paris Caucus. Its agenda was in addition carefully prepared by a 49-member "Advance Committee", which included at least one delegate from each fledgling state organization and drew up a draft program for the organization in advance of the convention's opening. As time before the scheduled start of the convention was short, delegation to the assembly

5046-422: The hall's front porch and a large bonfire was built, upon which were torched the local Wobblies' official records, books, newspapers and mattresses. One local Wobbly, Wesley Everest , escaped through a back door when he saw the mob approaching the hall. He fled into nearby woods, exchanging gunshots with his pursuers. One of those chasing him was hit in the chest several times with bullets and killed, increasing

5133-485: The idea of the new veterans' organization among demobilized troops there; White, who was to travel to France touring the AEF camps and explaining the idea; veteran wartime administrator Eric Fisher Wood, who was to establish a central office and maintain contact with the various combat divisions and headquarters staffs, as well as publicize activities to the press; and former Ohio Congressman Ralph D. Cole . Preparations for

5220-479: The immediate establishment of a new servicemen's organization including all AEF members as well as those soldiers who remained stateside as members of the Army , Navy , and Marine Corps during the war without having been shipped abroad. Roosevelt and White advocated ceaselessly for this proposal until they found sufficient support at headquarters to move forward with the plan. General John J. Pershing issued orders to

5307-479: The jail without meeting resistance and took Everest, dragging him away to a waiting car but leaving other incarcerated Wobblies untouched. A procession of six cars drove west to a railroad bridge across the Chehalis River . A rope was attached to Everest's neck and he was pushed off the bridge, but the lynching attempt was bungled and Everest's neck was not snapped by the fall. Everest was hauled up again,

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5394-487: The name "Stanislaus County Fair" was used for the first time on the marquee. In 1960, the fairgrounds became the original home of California State University, Stanislaus . On the March 15, 1999, the Stanislaus County Fair Board of Directors of the 38th District Agricultural Association, with support of the Turlock American Legion, resolved that the Stanislaus County Fair Arch Gate be recognized as

5481-642: The new railroad town was named Turlock. The first annual fair of the Stanislaus County Agricultural District Number 38 was held in 1891 in Modesto. This is an early form of our current formal title, Stanislaus County Fair District Agricultural Association 38. This fair was held for several years in the nearby town but was discontinued. 1902 marked the last fair in Modesto Turlock's first ever Melon Carnival

5568-575: The newly established Stanislaus State College began on the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in September, 1960. The college moved to its current location five years later, and was awarded university status. In 1960, The Floriculture building was completed. 1965, the first livestock auction was held to replace the Oakdale Fat Stock Sale. 1968, the first woman appointed to Board of Directors, Patricia Gaard and

5655-410: The operation of the fair from American Legion. 1935 was the first Kiddie Kapers Parade, where youth from Turlock paraded in costumes and on bikes, and community clubs and businesses provided floats. This parade became a popular event that some considered to be the highlight of the Fair. Additional land was purchased to grow the grounds to a total of 37 acres. In 1941 the name “Stanislaus District Fair”

5742-413: The other RCs [Rehabilitation Centers] put together! …A number received good ratings; some made the supreme sacrifice in various theatres of war; a few were decorated for valor.” “But most important of all was the less exciting but more significant contribution toward salvaging manpower during the critical war emergency. By this means a few thousand young men were remodeled into better soldiers and citizens…It

5829-457: The paradoxical effect of rapidly building great political power for the organization, as politicians from both of the "old parties" competed for the favor of the Legion's massive and active membership. One of the gathering's primary accomplishments was the establishment of a permanent National Legislative Committee to advance the Legion's political objectives as its lobbying arm. The first iteration of this official Washington, D.C.-based lobby for

5916-404: The personal invitations distributed, the published announcement indicated that "any officer or enlisted man not invited who is in Paris at the time of the meeting is invited to be present and to have a voice in the meeting." The conclave was slated to begin on March 15. The site of Ferdinand Branstetter Post No. 1 is a vacant lot in Van Tassell, Wyoming , where the first American Legion post in

6003-471: The popular Kiddie Kapers Parade was held for the last time, discontinued due to lack of leadership interest. The grandstands in the arena were constructed in 1953. The present name, Stanislaus County Fair, was officially used for the first time in 1956. In 1957 a Roller Rink opened in the Arts and Crafts Building. The 1959 Fair featured a Hawaiian theme in honor of the new state, entertainers were flown in directly from Hawaii for special performances. Classes for

6090-400: The ranks of enlisted men. The Paris Caucus in March was by its nature limited to AEF soldiers who remained in Europe; a parallel organizational meeting for those who had returned to the American preparatory to a formal organizational convention was deemed necessary. This was a conclave dominated by the presence of Roosevelt, who called the convention to order amid mass chanting akin to that of

6177-508: The remaining 3 ½ years of the war. Here, troubled soldiers were rehabilitated so that they may rejoin the ranks as fully functioning soldiers. During this time, approximately 10,000 soldiers came through this center. America’s entrance into World War II prompted the drafting of men to fill the military’s soldier needs as soon as possible. Unfortunately, some of these men had difficulty in adapting to military life, leading to outbreaks of AWOL (Absent Without Leave) and insubordinate soldiers. A center

6264-414: The site for the organization's formal Founding Convention in the fall. Over 1,100 participants competed to gain the floor to speechify, leading one historian to call the scene a "melee" in which "disorder reigned supreme". Consequently, the gathering's passage of the program was largely a pro forma exercise, rushed through during the session's last day, with the actual decision-making about such matters as

6351-519: The so-called Paris Caucus that they do three things: first, set up an apparatus to conduct a formal founding conference in the U.S. sometime in the winter; second, draft a tentative name for the organization; and finally, compose a provisional constitution to be submitted to the founding convention for acceptance or rejection. William G. Price Jr. was selected to preside. Convention rules were decided upon and four 15-member committees were chosen. The Committee on Name reported back that it had considered

6438-460: The termination of hostilities in World War I—be selected as the date and time for the convocation of a national convention. No location was specified. The Committee on Permanent Organization recommended an organization based upon territorial units rather than those based upon military organizations, governed by an Executive Committee of 50, with half of these from the officer corps and half from

6525-480: The war. At the time of the end of World War I, American law stated that soldiers who suffered total disability were to receive only the base pay of a private —$ 30 per month. The Legion concentrated its lobbying effort in 1919 on passage of legislation increasing payment for total disability suffered in the war to $ 80 a month—a sum roughly sufficient to provide a living wage . Those partially disabled by their wounds would receive lesser payments. A flurry of lobbying by

6612-684: Was "Flavors of the Valley" which focused on our local valley food processors and manufacturers. There was exhibit on the fairgrounds that showcased some of the processor and manufacturers by providing taste tests for visitors to the exhibit. American Legion The American Legion , commonly known as the Legion , is an organization of U.S. war veterans headquartered in Indianapolis , Indiana. It comprises state , U.S. territory , and overseas departments, in turn made up of local posts. It

6699-415: Was delayed by various logistical problems, with a beginning finally made shortly after 2:45 pm. As "Temporary Chairman" Teddy Roosevelt Jr. had already departed for America, the session was gaveled to order by Wood, who briefly recounted Roosevelt's idea and the story of the 20 AEF officers who had jointly helped to give the new organization form. In his opening remarks, Wood recommended to the delegates of

6786-586: Was established in March 1919 in Paris , France, by officers and men of the American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.). It was subsequently chartered by the 66th U.S. Congress on September 16, 1919. The Legion played the leading role in drafting and passing the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the " G.I. Bill ". In addition to organizing commemorative events, members assist at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and clinics . It

6873-561: Was even more limited. Consequently, for nearly two decades The Legion maintained a largely isolationist perspective, best expressed in three resolutions passed by the Minneapolis founding convention: 1. That a large standing army is uneconomic and un-American. National safety with freedom from militarism is best assured by a national citizen army and navy based on the democratic principles of equality of obligation and opportunity for all. 2. That we favor universal military training and

6960-487: Was held in Minneapolis , Minnesota , from November 10 to 12, 1919. 684 delegates from across the nation attended. From the outset, The American Legion maintained a strictly nonpartisan orientation toward electoral politics. The group wrote a specific prohibition of the endorsement of political candidates into its constitution, declaring: this organization shall be absolutely non-political and shall not be used for

7047-631: Was held in 1911. It is this fair that modern-day Stanislaus County Fair attributes its start. This carnival was organized to promote trade and public relations for the community. At the time, Turlock had become known for its burgeoning melon growing and shipping businesses. The carnival was held in Turlock's downtown on Main Street where watermelons were donated by farmers and served free in a big tent. Activities included: band music, melon rolling contest, acrobatic contest, baseball games with Turlock vs. Oakdale,

7134-497: Was highly irregular. On April 10, 1919, Temporary Secretary Eric Fisher Wood mailed a letter to the governors of every state, informing them of the forthcoming gathering and making note of the League's nonpartisan and patriotic nature. Follow-up cables by Roosevelt and Wood encouraged the organization of state conventions to select delegates. This was largely a failed formality, as states lacked sufficient time to organize themselves and properly elect delegates to St. Louis. In practice,

7221-444: Was needed to “rehabilitate” these men and return them to duty. This was accomplished with additional basic training as well as a camp psychiatrist and sociologist. August 5–11, Fair purchased additional 21 acres from the federal government, 46,555 attendees, Fair facilities now became available year-round August 12–14, 1950s Clyde (C.A.) Rigsbee was appointed Fair Manager and maintained this position until his death in 1968. In 1952

7308-583: Was organized on March 7, 1919, and obtained the first charter issued to any Legion post on May 19, 1919. The St. Louis caucus that year decided that Legion posts should not be named after living persons, and the first post changed its name to George Washington Post 1. The post completed the constitution and made plans for a permanent organization. It set up temporary headquarters in New York City and began its relief, employment, and Americanism programs. On May 20, 1919, Colonel Ernest Lester Jones received

7395-613: Was spread in the Allied Officers' Club , Rue Faubourg St. Honore , on the night of February 16th... At that dinner the American Legion was born. — The Story of The American Legion (1919) The session of reserve and regular officers was instructed to provide a set of laws to curb the problem of declining morale. After three days, the officers presented a series of proposals, including eliminating restrictive regulations, organizing additional athletic and recreational events, and expanding leave time and entertainment programs. At

7482-609: Was the first overseas post to be chartered and has been in continuous existence since then. China Post One, formed in 1919, one year after the "great war" and chartered by The American Legion on April 20, 1920, was originally named the General Frederick Townsend Ward Post No. 1, China. It is the only post nominally headquartered in a Communist country, and has been operating in exile since 1948—presently in Fate, Texas . Having immediately received

7569-457: Was used for the first time. paid admissions: 31,581 1942, the Fair was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II. Japanese-Americans were stationed at the fairgrounds for 3 ½ months before being evacuated to inland areas of the U.S. For the remainder of the war, the grounds were used by the Army as a Rehabilitation Center. An annual carnival was still held downtown from 1942 to 1944, sponsored by

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