Meandering Around Town #33: American Legion

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AN ADVENTURE IN WHICH A FORMER MAYOR CONTINUES TO SEEK THE “SOUL” OF HIS HOMETOWN

ORIGINAL CITY ADMINISTRATION BLDG AT ALHAMBRA CIRCLE AND SALZEDO
RIGHT: TODAY IT IS THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 98

Most Coral Gables residents don’t consider their hometown to be a center of military activity. But, in fact, its history reveals strong connections to our nation’s defense. For example, our own Pinewood Cemetery contains grave sites of Civil War and Spanish American War veterans. Chapman Field began as a World War I (1918) U.S. Army aerial gunnery training base, named for Victor Chapman, the first American pilot killed in the war. During World War II the Army Air Corps operated its Pan Am Navigation School in the old “Cardboard College” buildings on University Drive and established a major hospital for injured airmen at the Biltmore Hotel. Lesser-known activities included the operation of patrol torpedo (“PT”) boats from the Coral Gables canal near Cocoplum Circle, in search of German submarines.

Following the war, the Biltmore was converted to the Miami Veterans Administration Hospital while the old University of Miami gymnasium on San Amaro Drive (now the location of an Athletic Department complex) became the Kendall Army Reserve Center, which housed Postal, Judge Advocate General, and Military Intelligence units, as well as the 487th Civil Affairs Company, the 3387th USAR School, and the 324th Combat Support Hospital. During the 1990s the Commanding General/Admiral of U.S. Southern Command was housed in a city-owned residence on Granada Boulevard. To this day, there is an Air Force R.O.T.C. Detachment on the UM campus. We also should note that the city dedicated our premier recreational complex as the “War Memorial Youth Center” in honor of those Coral Gables citizens who sacrificed their lives in defense of our nation.

Keeping our military tradition alive here in Coral Gables is American Legion Post 98 which is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary – one of the nation’s oldest constantly operating veterans’ organizations. The Post functions in one of our community’s most historic municipal buildings located downtown at the corner of Alhambra Circle and Salzedo Street, our first City Hall in 1925. As the Post Commander, Army Reserve Lt. Colonel J.C. Gomez, observes: “The American Legion is a place where Veterans continue their service beyond the uniform. Our members come from every branch, every era, from World War II to present day service members – moreover, from all walks of life. What unites us is a shared commitment to our nation. Post 98 provides a space where veterans can connect, support one another, and continue making a meaningful impact on the very community we once stood to protect.”

The Post is not just a gathering place to share “war stories” but is a vibrant hotbed of activities to help veterans readjust to civilian life by participating in various civic service activities. As Post Auxiliary member Cristina Penna observes: “Post 98 is where service continues beyond active duty. Through programs like the Memorial Day flag planting, Honor Flight sponsorships, youth initiatives such as Scouting, Boys and Girls State, Junior ROTC (high school) and ROTC (college) awards, plus civic engagement across Coral Gables, we bring people together with a shared purpose – supporting veterans and uniformed service members while investing in the next generation of leaders.”

Air Force Veteran, Cliff Van Allen, the organization’s Finance Officer, sums up the importance of the organization: “At Post 98, every dollar is directed toward meaningful impact, whether it’s supporting veterans, funding youth programs, or maintaining a space that serves the community. Our role is to ensure that this legacy of service remains strong, sustainable, and positioned to benefit future generations.” 

This column appears monthly by Don Slesnick, who served as mayor of Coral Gables from 2001 to 2011. If you wish to reach him with suggestions on where he should next meander in search of the city’s soul, email donslesnick@scllp.com.