Welcome to Lt. J. Allison O'Daniel VFW Post 475

Here’s an old newspaper clipping about the first post meeting of the Newark VFW Post, dated 1 September 1920:

Veterans of Foreign Wars to Meet Tuesday: "The Lt. J. Allison O'Daniel Post of Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold its regular monthly meeting next Tuesday evening in Centre Hall. They will have as their guests on that occasion the members of Reynolds Post, G.A.R. This Post was recently established here by the soldiers comprising the Rehabilitation Unit. Many of the local men who fought on foreign soil in the Spanish-American and World Wars have since joined. Rooms in Centre Hall were secured by Commander B. Frank Harris who will have them open to ex-servicemen at all-times".

Note: Rehabilitation units were formed throughout the country for the convalescence of war wounded from WWI. Delaware College, now the University of Delaware, hosted a rehabilitation unit.

The first mention of a rehabilitation unit appeared in the Newark Post on April 14,1920:

Fifty Soldiers to be Stationed Here for Vocational Guidance: "Linden Hall to be secured for housing the contingent which arrives May 1. In keeping with the policy of Land Grant colleges throughout the United States, Delaware College is arranging to provide instruction in agriculture for about 50 disabled soldiers. Under the Rehabilitation Act the government is planning to give vocational training to a number of soldiers whose infirmities will not permit them to carry on their former trades or professions, and to those who are without specific training. Negotiations were completed yesterday to rent Linden Hall, the Whittingham home, where the soldiers will be housed. The size of their dwelling and its proximity to the Experimental Farm make it a particularly desirable location for this purpose. The first contingent of these men is expected to arrive about May 1. Special instructions will be secured for this group. The Whittingham family, who have been spending the winter at Delaware City, will, it is understood, move their effects to a smaller house".

The next mention of the rehabilitation unit is in the Newark Post article, dated May 5, 1920:

First Contingent of Soldiers Arrives on Monday: "The first contingent of soldiers assigned to Delaware College for Vocational Education arrived on Monday and have taken up residence at Linden Hall which has been transformed for their use under the direction of A. G. Wilkinson and D. Lee Rose. Two officers arrived on Saturday to inspect the plans made for their comfort and convenience. Seventeen men comprise this group. They will be joined from time to time by others until by the end of June it is expected that nearly 50 will comprise this unit which is in charge of Mr. Upton. The government is financing the project, providing quarters, instructors and equipment. Meals will be served at the Commons, class and laboratory work conducted in the morning at Wolf Hall, and demonstration work at the Experimental Farm in the afternoon. This arrangement has been made to minimize the number of trips back and forth".

Sometime after arriving, the veterans of the rehabilitation unit got together and formed VFW Post 475. A Newark Post article dated July 14, 1920, reads:

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Here: "On Wednesday evening of last week there was established here a post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, an organization which has been in existence for about 20 years, but for which few men have been eligible until the recent world conflict. The purpose as stated is to promote and maintain fellowship between those who have shared kindred experiences in foreign lands. It is not, according to the Commander, antagonistic to the American Legion, as many are disposed to believe, but stands for the same high ideals, the same sturdy Americanism. Almost 90 percent of the members of this organization are also members of the American Legion. With a display of great enthusiasm, which was heightened by the spirited display of patriotic selections by the Minnehaha Band, the Post was organized with the following officers: Commander, Benjamin F. Harris; Senior Vice Commander, J.H. Hurley; Adjutant, R.H. Pierce; Quartermaster, G. Michaels; Chief of Staff, Daniel A. Yates, assisted by Mr. Lang, a veteran of the Spanish-American War, officiated. This action gives Newark the honor of being the first town in the State to have a Post of this patriotic American organization."

The next mention of VFW Post 475 was on September 8, 1920:

O'Daniel Post Holds Interesting Meeting: "The Lieut. J. Allison O'Daniel Post, No. 475, Veterans of Foreign Wars, held a meeting last night with a very large attendance at their room at Center Hall. A special invitation was extended to all veterans of the G.A.R. so as to place their names upon the honorary membership roll. Mr. Upton, Counselor for the Service Men of Delaware College, made a stirring address in which he outlined a few things that the organization could do during the next few months. There were fifteen members to join the Post, among them being Thomas Mullin, a G.A.R. veteran, whose name was placed on the honorary roll. Among the many things intended for the next few months will be minstrel shows, socials and dances to be held every week with an instructor in attendance".

Note: G.A.R. stands for the Grand Army of the Republic - Union Veterans of the Civil War. They were made honorary members of VFW Post 475. For quite a few years after, the VFW and the G.A.R. held joint ceremonies on Memorial Day, military parades, and other patriotic days. The veterans of the rehabilitation unit were mostly from other places but chose to name the post after a local soldier, Lt. James Allison O'Daniel, the first Delawarean killed in action during World War I.