In 1918, an organization in the town of Weldon, NC was formed for men who had served in the Armed Forces. An old Virginia Electric Power Company (VEPCO) Plant building was procured as a meeting place by this group of men. This small group of men applied for a charter in The American Legion on October 20, 1920 with the following charter members: Elliot Clark, D.W. Seifert, C.C. Telghan, James Josephson, James Price, W.B. Grant, C.F. Rhem, W.G. Suiter, N. Smith, H.G. Rowe Jr., Mike Josephson, S.J. Fitzhugh, W.B. Josephson, and Gees Pappas.
A temporary charter was issued on October 24, 1919 with the permanent charter later issued on July 25, 1922. The new Post was called The American Legion Shaw Post 38. This Post was named after Captain William Shaw who was the first soldier to die in World War 1 from Halifax County, N.C.
In 1945, a group of men from Roanoke Rapids, NC applied for a Charter to form a new Post in The American Legion on June 15, 1945. This new Post was called The American Legion May Post 237. Their new Post was named after Robert E. May, Chief Petty Officer Coxswain Mate First Class, who was the first World II casualty from the Roanoke Rapids, NC area. The officers of the new Post were: Commander M.C. Newcom, Adjutant John Forest, and Finance Officer James Rogers.
The Shaw Post in Weldon and the May Post in Roanoke Rapids were merged into a single Post and called Shaw-May Post around 1960. The Post initially moved into a building on Washington Avenue in South Weldon. Around 1974, the American Legion Shaw-May Post 38 moved to a building on the American Legion road in Halifax County.
Meetings
American Legion Shaw-May Post 38 meets on the first Monday of each month at 717 American Legion Road in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. Meetings begin a social gathering at 5:30PM with a free meal at 6:00 followed by a brief business meeting. Dress is casual and American Legion attire is encouraged. All Veterans are welcome whether you are a member or not.
American Legion Shaw-May Post 38 Adopt A Highway
Shaw-May Post 38 completed their quarterly adopt a highway trash pickup on Tuesday June 25th beginning at 0800. The mission was completed by 1000 hours. Many thanks to Chairman Steve Woofter for organizing this event and providing the necessary tools and equipment to get the mission done effectively and safely. The ice cold water and Gatorade followed by pizza and wings afterwards was especially appreciated by the 9 volunteers who participated. The volunteers collected enough trash and debris to fill 15 NCDOT trash bags. Not pictured are Al Cooper Jr. and Christopher Shultis who also served as volunteers.
Memorial Day US Flag placement at Crestview Cemetery Roanoke Rapids NC, May 27, 2024
“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” – Winston Churchill
Volunteers for placing US flags on the graves of more than 500 Veterans buried at Crestview Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids NC – Remember and Honor
COMMANDER DAVE SAMMONS WITH 2022 LEGIONAIRE OF THE YEAR ERNIE PAYNE
Please see the below Link about the May 2023 Belk Charity Sale
The American Legion Shaw – May Post 38 and belk Charity Sale
Hymns for each branch of service
https://youtu.be/QyKfr8G04Qc?t=7