Post History
RESEARCHING AT THIS TIME
Coy-Catlin Post 137 is named after 2 local World War I solders; Archie Coy, who returned from WWI and died of his wounds and Melvin Catlin, who did not make roll call after a fierce battle and was found sometime at later time to have been Killed-in-Action.
Archie L. Coy -- U.S. Army Private, Casualty of WWI, died of wounds sustained in battle. Received the Purple Heart and World War I Victory Medals
Melvin C. Catlin --- U.S. Army Private, 90th Division 357th Infantry Regiment. Casualty of WWI, Killed-in-Action, 10NOV1918. After a fierce battle, Melvin did not answer the Musteer roll call. He was recovered months later. Melvin received the Purple Heart and World War I Victory Medals. He is buried/memorialized at Plot A Row 17 Grave 18, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.
Coy-Catlin Post 137 is a Post within the Department of Washington of the National Organization. Local Veterans of WWI started meeting in 1922 and submitted the application to become an American Legionm Post. The 3 endorsements to establish the Post were finalized by May of 1923 and the American Legion Post Charter was issued. Coy-Catlin Post 137 then sought incorporation within Washington State and received their Corporate Charter in April of 1924.
Through local donations, Post Bonds, and fund-raising activities, enough funds were collected by the membership in 1925 to start building their Post home. The efforts of the membership and community culminated in the completion of the Post Home to hold a community dinner/dance in the summer of 1926.
Known as a Memorial Post for "Those who've gone before", the Post is named after Coy-Catlin in memory of two local soldiers of WWI (see above).
The Post is home to Legionnaires, Auxliary, Sons of the American Legion (SAL) and hosts an American Legion Riders association. Togerther they form the American Legion Family. For the 2025 membership year, Post 137 is home to: 174 Legionnaires, representing over 20% of the county population with 14 new members and 8 who have passed; a S.A.L. Squadron with 52 members; an Auxiliary Unit with 8 new members totalling 59 and the Riders association with 30 members! These Patriots are leading the way for Post 137's second century of service to the Veterans, their families and the citizens of Skamania County!!
Affiliated Organizations
A Women's Auxiliary Unit of American Legion Post 137 was formed on _______. The Legion has every reason to be proud of it's Auxiliary. Auxiliary members are always anxious and willing to co-operate in every Legion activity.
A Sons of the Legion Squadron for American Legion Post 137 was formed on _______. The Legion has every reason to be proud of it's Sons of Legion unit, which gained statewide recognition because of it's programs of service.
Patriotic Days
MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the Columbia River Gorge, the goal of every Veteran to it's last man is to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead of all of the wars of the country; and all graves are decorated on this National Holiday. Join us in Flagging Graves at our cemeteries or Tolling the Bell at the Stone Henge War Memorials
ARMISTICE DAY, now called VETERANS' DAY, originally marked the end of fighting in World War I. It is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all Veterans. An important tradition was established when the Post led in the memorial exercises at 11 o'clock on the morning of November 11, marking the exact hour of the cessation of hostility on the war fronts and culminating in the evening Veterans
Day Dinner.
Registration Of Graves
Since it's inception American Legion Post 137 has been a leader in Skamania County in the area of graves registration. Grave Registration enables all interested parties to locate the site of the grave of each Veteran. Each year, active members place a flag on each Veteran's grave. Gravesite lisitng and
current maps for 10 cemeteries of Skamania County are available to view at Coy-Catlin Post 137.
Scholarships and Community Projects
American LegionPost 137 sponsors various scholarships for the further education of our children. We also sponsor and financially assist many worthy community projects and programs initiated by the National American Legion.
Join Us and Keep this History Alive