American Legion Post 379
On October 15, 1963
The superintendent of the Bedford School System, Omer Carrothers, reached out to other community veterans to meet with him to discuss the possibility of chartering an American Legion Post.
On August 21, 1964
Omer along with nineteen other future post members met at Stonegate Elementary School in Bedford to discuss how to make the newly conceived post come to life.
On October 1, 1964
The post received its Temporary Charter and began having its general membership meetings at the Bedford Boys Ranch activity center.
In 1966, Post members began renting a building on Highway 10 in Hurst and on March 2, 1967, Hurst-Euless-Bedford American Legion Post 379 received its Permanent Charter, electing Omer as the Commander and William Upton as the Adjutant.
On March 27, 1969
Post 379 received its Certificate of Incorporation from the Texas Secretary of State, on November 27, 1969, its first Constitution and By-laws were approved by the Department of Texas and also in 1969, Post members purchased a building located at 336 W. Hurst Boulevard in Hurst, across from the Kelly-Moore paint factory.
On May 26, 1969
Post 379 began its annual Memorial Day Services at Bluebonnet Hills Cemetery in Colleyville with Hurst VFW Post 4695 joining the services on May 29, 1972. These events continue to this day. However, VFW Post 4695 was replaced with Airport Cities VFW Post 10454 out of Grapevine.
The Sons of the American Legion Squadron 379 was chartered on May 25, 1983, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 379 was re-chartered on October 16, 1986, and the American Legion Riders Chapter 379 was re-chartered on August 04, 2016. Post, Unit and Squadron 379 are all the second largest in their respective categories at the Departments and Detachment level.
During the late 1970’s, Post 379 acquired property at its current location and began construction on its current building in 1982. In the August 1984 issue of The American Legion Magazine, Post 379 was recognized as the post of the month.
On June 26, 2008, TEXALPA (The Texas American Legion Press Association) began presenting the Dan Fallon Award for the best Post website in the department. The purpose of TEXALPA is to foster publications and advance the standards and practices in communication with The American Legion, Department of Texas.
On June 4, 2009, Deborah McKee was voted in as the first female Commander for Post 379 and the second female Post Commander in the Department of Texas by three weeks.
On January 30, 2015, Trey Arnold’s Post 379 Flag Retirement Pit was named the 2015 Longhorn Council Eagle Scout Project of the Year.
March 2, 2017
Post 379 celebrated its golden anniversary on March 2, 2017. Citizens from the Hurst, Euless and Bedford Communities participated in the celebration and all three City Majors wrote proclamations recognizing the day.
On February 20, Isaac Taylor named the 2017 Department of Texas National High School Oratorical Winner. During the national contest at the Wyndham Indianapolis West Hotel during April 2017, Isaac won the quarterfinals round and was later defeated during the semifinal round.
On May, 10, 2017, Joey Campbell named the 2017 Department of Texas Eagle Scout of the Year. Joey’s packet advanced to the nationals but he was not named the national Eagle Scout of the Year.
On February 21, 2021, Jacob Groninga (far left) was named the 2021 Department of Texas National High School Oratorical Winner. There was no national contest this year due to COVID.
On March 19, 2022, Post 379 held a dedication ceremony for their Texas Historical Plaque. In attendance were Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, 93rd House Representative Laura Hill, Mayor Henry Wilson from Hurst, Mayor Linda Martin from Euless, and Mayor Michael Boyter from Bedford, along with many guests and visitors.