Saddleback Valley Post 862 - A Short History
Planning and recruiting for Saddleback Valley Post 862 began in May of 2000. Formation meetings were held in June and July of that year and the first membership report (Transmittal) listing eighteen new members and one transfer, was sent to the Department of California Headquarters.
A temporary charter was requested 18 July 2000 and the post was registered as Mission Viejo Memorial Post 862.
Post 862 began meeting at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center on Tuesday, 7 November 2000.
Mary P. Shea, a WWII Navy veteran, became the Posts first Commander. Carlton LeDrew, former 1st Vice Commander of Newport Harbor (2100+ members), transferred to Post 862 and in June of 2001 was elected Commander.
Further assistance came when three more Legionnaires transferred from Post 291 and filled the following positions:
Maxson Smith - Adjutant; Cloyce Kelly - Sergeant-at-Arms; Paul Curtis - Public Information Officer; while Jr. Past Commander, Mary Shea, filled the slot of 1st Vice Commander.
Meetings continued to be held at the Center until September of 2001 when the meeting date and location was changed to the 3rd Mondays of each month at the Elks Lodge in Mission Viejo.
This move has proved to be a plus for membership growth as the Elks members welcomed our Legionnaires with warm friendship and gracious hospitality.
A number of Elk members have joined Post 862 and some of our Legionnaires have become members of the Elks Lodge.
On review of membership records it was discovered that the Post was serving a much larger area than Mission Viejo. Because of this the Post applied for a name change to "Saddleback Valley Post 862" since we are serving members in Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita, Irvine, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel.
The name change was confirmed at the Department Convention held in Riverside, CA in June 2001.
Post 862 applied for permanent Charter in July of 2001 and during the Legion year of July 2001 through June 2002 we grew from our quota of 35 members to a roster of 108 members. Although meeting attendance has been small, about 10% of membership, we have been an "involved and participating" post.
We have given Americanism classes; sponsored a high school junior to Boys State; recognized outstanding JROTC cadets for Scholastic and Military Excellence with medal, ribbons, and certificates; participated in Memorial Day, 4th of July, Veteran's Day, Flag Retirement and Patriot Day ceremonies; visited veterans at the VA Long Beach Medical Center; held Officers Training and Orientation sessions; combined socially at dinners, picnics, dances, and Installation ceremonies of other posts in the south county area; a number of your Post Officers have participated in District, Area and Department events; we've had delegates at two Department Conventions; and we plan this and more for the coming year, including an 862 Auxiliary and SAL Squadron.