The origins of our post, as with many posts, are in the GAR. This is believed to be true because most likely the members of the San Juan GAR post influenced the founding members of the American Legion Post.  THE GRAND ARMY of the REPUBLIC was organized, after the end of the Civil War, by Honorably Discharged Union Army Veterans. Although other Veterans groups were formed, the GAR was the largest and best known. Dr. B.F. Stephenson founded the GAR in 1866, but it almost disappeared during the early 1870's. About 1875, new leadership provided the platform for renewed growth. In 1890, the GAR reached it's largest membership, just over 490,000 members. 

   State and federal leaders from President Lincoln on down, had promised to care for "those who have borne the burden, his widows and orphans," but they had little knowledge of how to accomplish the task. There was also little political pressure to see that the promises were kept. The GAR founded soldiers' homes, was active in relief work and pension legislation. It's motto was "FRATERNITY, CHARITY, AND LOYALTY". Five members were elected President of the United States and, for a time, it was impossible to be nominated on the Republican ticket without the endorsement of the GAR voting block. In 1949, the six surviving members permanently closed the GAR, as only Civil War Veterans were allowed to be members. The last Union Civil War Veteran died in 1956.

   The San Juan post was Silas Casey GAR Post #74 in the Department of Washington and Alaska. While no definite information is available at this time, it is known that Posts were named for deceased Civil War Heroes. In 1859, during the Pig War, Lt. Col Casey became camp commander of Camp Pickett on the south end of San Juan Island. Later in his career, he command troops in the Civil War and was eventually promoted to Major General. Major General Silas Casey died in 1882. If the Post was named for the general, it had to have been formed after 1882, because a post could only be named for deceased Civil War Heroes. We are starting a search for more information on GAR Post #74 and hope to expand on this part of our history.