In the iconic Vietnam movie, The Deer Hunter, the wedding reception scene takes place in an American Legion Hall. It seemed only natural to use the American Legion as the backdrop for a social gathering, keeping in line with the history of many American Legion halls across the United States.
The American Legion Dinter Post #3 in Cuero has been a place for both veterans and the community to gather since the inception of the American Legion as an organization for veterans. From dances to football game events, the local venue has served as a gathering place for the Cuero and surrounding communities.
The American Legion was created in France in March of 1919. It was not long before many towns across the United States began creating local posts. Cuero was no exception and became home to the first American Legion post in Texas. It is designated as #3 because it was the third one to receive a charter.
The current American Legion Hall was built in 1967 after the post commander at that time, Walter Boehl, donated the property to the Post if they promised to build an auditorium the whole community could use.
A Cuero Record article about the grand opening of the new Dinter Post #3 building on October 29, 1967, quoted Boehl saying, “The Legion stands for service to the community, state and nation,” he said. “We want to be of service in the community.”
Before 1925, the American Legion used rooms above City Hall. In 1923, the Galveston Sand Crab baseball team was housed there as they conducted spring training in Cuero.
From 1925 until 1967, meetings and events sponsored by the Post were held at the Turnerferin Hall built in 1878. This hall was also used for the Mohawk Club and other activities. It was razed in the 60s to make room for the new Cuero Post Office. One of the main events the Post sponsored during the 1920s and 30s was an educational lyceum that featured orators, authors, educators, scientists, and artists.
The tradition of concern for education is still strong today. The Westhoff school district participates in the American Legion essay contests each year. The school also does a program for Veteran’s Day. “The American Legion shows patriotism through volunteer work and sponsorships, scholarship and encouraging youth to remember our past,” Ruth Killough, retired Westhoff teacher and auxiliary member said.
It is that community spirit that was all too vivid in 1973 when the Cuero Gobblers were playing Henderson for the semi-finals of the state championship. The Cuero Record front page main headline read: Overflow Crowd Hears Cuero-Henderson Tilt. The article went on to describe how “cold weather, football fever and the distance to Conroe caused an overflow, standing room only crowd to descend on the American Legion.” Through a telephone- speaker set-up, the community cheered on the Gobblers as they gathered in a space that has been a welcoming and celebratory since 1919.
According to Larry Nuckles, the current sergeant at arms, for many years in the 70s, a Thanksgiving turkey dinner was handed out for all in need.
“They shut down the highway on that day,” he said, “for people to drive through.”
“Now it is a place for us veterans to gather,” Nuckles said of the local post.
Each Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m., local veterans, legionnaires, auxiliary ladies, wives, friends, etc., get together for coffee, doughnuts and camaraderie.
