The Haines-Stackfield American Legion Post 826 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is celebrating its 80th anniversary while uncovering pieces of its history and aiming to increase membership.

Railroad divides Black and white residents

Historically, a railroad divided the borough between Black and white residents, including veterans, and those tracks still exist today, not even a block from a veterans' post created because of that division.

"I can see you on the job. I can see you on the battlefield. We're great friends. But when we socialize back in our communities, we go our separate ways," Louis Werdebach, service officer at American Legion Post 826, said.

On July 17, 1946, the Haines-Stackfield American Legion Post 826 officially received its charter as a post meant for Black veterans.

There was also a separate post for white veterans only, turning away anyone else.

"Veterans from World War I and World War II get together and establish what they called a colored post," Werdebach said.

Earl Goshea, Post 826 adjutant, added, "The ones that helped found this post, tried to become members elsewhere and their membership was turned away."

Ronnie McFadden, Post 826 commander, emphasized, "We cannot forget those guys."

Post's namesakes

The post is named after George Haines, the first commander of Post 826, and the five Stackfield brothers.

While Haines is remembered in pictures on the walls, the pictures of the Stackfield brothers are lost to time, though records describe their lives. Not every brother has a record to remember, like many other members, and through 2026, the post members will spend the 80th anniversary uncovering their history.

"It's lost in history, but you find out because you can read it and then, you know, people that were related to those people, they can bring it up because like here we had Tuskegee Airmen in this town," McFadden said,

"In order to grow the membership of this post is important that we capture the legacy and educate the community on why the post is here," Werdebach said.

The post is uncovering the names and people lost to time through community interviews and record searching. Inside Post 826's main hall, a prisoner of war is honored for those who never came home.

"And a lot of veterans really take that to heart, because, you know, some of them guys, you don't know where they are missing in action," McFadden said.

A main objective of their celebrations is increasing membership.

"We only have about 40, 46 Legion members," Goshea said,

Post members up to 200

The post has up to 200 members in different categories, including social members, auxiliary members, and Sons of American Legion. Non-traditional members still contribute to keeping Post 826 going, and like other American Legions, they help connect veterans to perks and social services.

"Our charge now really, as the veteran population shrinks, reaching out to the young people so they can appreciate the legacy that many of us who have served already appreciate and carry it forward," Werdebach said.

This sentiment is shared by those who have worked, played, and served at the post for decades.

"It's been a good impact on the community," Consuelo Crowder, auxiliary treasurer at Post 826, said.

"We should keep this legacy going. We shouldn't, at no point let it just vanish," Ola Woods, auxiliary president at Post 826, said.

Werdebach concluded, "For the 80th anniversary, we want to capture as much of that as an opportunity to bring attention to the mission of the Legion."

If you happen to know any information on a veteran in the Carlisle area, reach out to Post 826 as they uncover their history.