On March 10, 2005 former service men and women met in the old Rittenhouse school auditorium summoned by Craig S. Barnes Vice President of the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce. The decision to organize an American Legion post resulted from the conclusion of these veterans that the American Legion was the representative veterans' organization in this country. That conclusion has been proven true as today the American Legion is the largest wartime veterans' organization with nearly 15,000 local Posts throughout America and over 3 million members who care about America, veterans, their families and our nation's youth.
At the first meeting Craig S. Barnes was elected temporary chairman and Erin Sanders temporary secretary. Decision was made by the attending veterans to file an application for a Queen Creek American Legion Post. It was also decided at this meeting to organize a Post as soon as fifteen service men and women had indicated their desire to join the Post. The next meeting was held in April, 2005 A Certificate of Application for a Charter was presented, those present decided to organize permanently. In July, 2005 the Temporary Charter dated the 14th day of June, 2005 was presented by Mayor Wendy Feldman-Kerr to the Officers of the Queen Creek Post 129, held at the Queen Creek Performing Arts Building in front of the 80 members. The Ellsworth Family was in attendance as guest of honor
Charter Members of Queen Creek Post 129
Craig S. Barnes Dave Pratt David L. Leichtman
Dale Hoyum Robert G. Keller Alan Pease
Stanley J. Stack Lauren Taylor Michael Taylor
David Silver Charles Jessup Robert W. Young
Frank Whitson Gary E. Wright Stephen D. Wickline
Claudio Grisanty Rudolph G. Alvarado William J. Lafleur
Rick Ballard John B. Dean Howie F. Swinton
A committee was formed to re-name the Post and that as a mark of respect to the Ellsworth Family; the Post was named "American Legion Duane Ellsworth Post 129". Duane Ellsworth was memorialized and honored when this Post was chartered. The Ellsworth family was one of the founding families in Queen Creek.Permanent organization was affected at a meeting held at the Moose Hall on April 19, 2005 at which time permanent officers were elected.
The first officers of Queen Creek Post 129 were:
Craig S. Barnes, Commander
Steven D. Wickline, Sr. Vice Commander
Fred Stillwell, Jr. Vice Commander
Erin Sanders, Adjutant
David Silver, Finance Officer
On November 17th, 2005 a charter was issued establishing American Legion Duane Ellsworth Post 129.The post soon established a Squadron of the Sons of the American Legion, Woman’s Auxiliary as well as a Chapter of The American Legion Riders.
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2006 - 2007 officers were;
Craig S. Barnes, Commander
Tim Bushnell, Sr. Vice Commander
Russell Destefano, Jr. Vice Commander
Jodi Torres, AdjutantAlan Pease, Finance Officer
Post 129 achieved 100% membership along with many other awards and accolades.
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2007 – 2008 officers were;
Larry Moore, Commander
Tim Bushnell, Sr. Vice Commander
Russell Destefano, Jr. Vice Commander
Beth Sutton, Adjutant
Alan Pease, Finance Officer
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2008 - 2009 officers were;
Larry Moore, Commander
Tim Bushnell, Sr. Vice Commander
Russell Destefano, Jr. Vice Commander
Beth Sutton, Adjutant
Alan Pease, Finance Officer
