By Tanya Eldred, Cedar Springs Historical Society

Editor’s note: The Glen Hill Post #287 of the American Legion is a familiar sight in Cedar Springs. What follows is a little history of the first man to die from the area in World War I, after whom the legion is named. 

Glen Hill, the son of Orlando Hill, was drafted in September 1917 from Cedar Springs and went for training at Camp Custer. He was soon promoted to corporal. The Camp Custer method was reportedly too slow for him and he obtained a transfer by volunteering for overseas duty on February 2. When he arrived in France, he was transferred from the 338^th Infantry Company to Company E. 104^th Infantry.

Hill was cited for bravery in action with the American forces on the Western front on April 12 and 13. The dispatch read, “With calmness and courage on April 12 and 13 he had hardly reached his company and learned of the order to counter attack given to a neighboring detachment when he voluntarily joined it and killed two of the enemy with his bayonet.”

In a letter dated April 18, he gave an account of the incident. “I have had some experience since I have been over here. I have been in the trenches and been over the top twice and got a German with my bayonet and I am not hurt very much. I was a little scared at first, but I got all over it and we went some. When I get back I can tell you all about it.”

Hill was awarded the distinguished service cross July 12 by General Pershing for conspicuous bravery in action April 12 and 13, and about the same time received the French croix de guerre. The Distinguished Service Cross is awarded to a person who distinguishes himself against an enemy of the United States. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from his or her comrades.

He had participated in the battles of Champagne, Aisne, Saint Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne.

After being decorated twice for gallantry in action, Corporal Glen Hill died of wounds received in battle in the Argonne Forest in France, on October 19, 1918. (Some sources say October 17.) He was 25 years old. (One source says 23.)

Glen Hill was laid to rest in Solon Cemetery following solemn military rites. The services were under the auspices of Glen Hill Post #287, American Legion, named in honor of the dead corporal, and Merrit Lamb Post of Rockford. Rev. E. Teachout preached the funeral sermon.

He was survived by his father, Orlando Hill, of Cedar Springs; three sisters, Mrs. Bert Lewis, and Mrs. E. Bloomfield, both of Cedar Springs, and Mrs. George White, of Grand Rapids; and two brothers, Rush Hill, of Cedar Springs, and Henry Hill, of Lansing.

If you were in Cedar Springs around lunchtime this past Saturday, September 12, 2015, you would have noticed the buses at the American Legion.

The annual lunch and bingo for the Veterans from the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans was in full swing.  The American Legion Family (Legion, Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion and Auxiliary Juniors) from Glen Hill Post 287 hosted the event.

The veterans enjoyed a great meal along with dessert, courtesy of Mary Goller-Kilts and helpers, and then moved up front to win prizes for their shouts of Bingo!

Many members of the Legion Family were on hand to help out and make it an enjoyable afternoon for the veterans.

by LoraLee Nauta

The American Legion, Sons of The American Legion and the Auxiliary teamed together to purchase dictionaries for every third grade student. We all felt it was important to give back to our community and our students. They are the future of our country, and we wanted to help anyway we can as an American Legion Family. We delivered approximately 262 books to the Beach Elementary on Wednesday, March 13, 2014.

Mr. Ken See, the principle, was very happy to have this donation. Along with Mr. See, we had 10 students: Eli Malon, Leah Ramsey, Aricia Tompkins, Brady Mason (who is also a Squadron 287 member), Darrien Kolk, Molly Bentley, MacKayla Cazier, Haley Castle (Auxiliary 287 junior), Taylee Self, and Bryce Skelonce. We also had members of our Glen Hill Post Family with us: MaryAnne Yuncker, Past Department President & Unit Education Chairmen; Post Commander Bill Gregones; Keith Tyler, Squadron 287 member and Department Children & Youth Committeeman; and LoraLee Nauta, Auxiliary President.

This book is not only a dictionary, it has the Periodic Table, details about the American Flag, the United States Constitution, a section on all the United States Presidents, the fifty states, plus several more items. We were honored to present these books to the students.

It’s important to the Glen Hill Family to give back to our community and our schools. The Glen Hill Post family is very involved with the veterans, but also many other programs. Education is one of our programs we feel strongly about. These students are the future, and these books should help the students with their studies and give them information that will help guide them.

By LoraLee Nauta

On January 4, 2014, The American Legion, Glen Hill Post #287 hosted their annual Early Bird dinner.

They enjoyed a great dinner catered by Kelly’s, and had a wonderful turn out even with the weather not being so great.

Department Commander Raymond Moore and Detachment Commander Mike Boughner attended, along with Department Auxiliary President Sandra Synder and Honorary Auxiliary Junior President Alyssa Champion. Each of them spoke on how the year is going so far, about their goals, membership and special projects. It looks like it will be a successful year for all the groups.

After their speeches, Post #287 presented the Department officers with their Red Flannels.  The #287 Juniors followed this tradition by assisting the officers in doing the Chicken Dance.  It was a fun and exciting evening for all.

By Dominic Merlington

The American Legion in Cedar Springs was host to residents of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans on September 7, 2013.

While at the American Legion, the veterans were treated to a nice lunch, and then played many games of bingo with prizes.

The Glen Hill Post 287 Family has been holding this event for the veterans for many years. This is one of the activities that Post 287 takes pride and enjoyment in sponsoring. In late July, Post 287 provided an activity tent with prizes for the veterans and their family members at the annual Veteran’s Carnival at the Home for Veterans.

On January 7th, in keeping with a longstanding tradition, the Cedar Springs American Legion, Glen Hill Post 287, presented State Department Commander Dick Chatman, Auxiliary Department President Carrie Bowerman and S.A.L. Detachment Commander Dwaine Verville with their very own pair of red flannels from the Red Flannel Capital of the World.
Every year at our annual Early Bird Dinner, we have a fine meal for those members who have paid their dues early.  Invited to the dinner are the State level officers of our organization, as well as past dignitaries.  After the dinner, the present and past Department officers graciously wear their Red Flannel attire and perform the Chicken Dance.
Back Row:  Past Detachment Commander David Mennel, Past Detach. Commander Pat Pustay, Past Detach. Commander Greg Price, Detachment Commander Dwaine Verville, Past Dept. Commander John Skinner, Past Department Commander John Mella, Past Department Commander Jerry Dennis, Past Detach. Commander Skipper Townes.
Front Row: Past Department President Mary Goller-Kilts, Past Dept. President Brenda Dees, Honorary Junior President Chelsea Kovacs, Department President Carrie Bowerman, Past Dept. President Donna Fueling, Past Dept. President Jackie Skinner and Past Dept. President Ivy Lee Reinhardt.

State Department Commander Bill Hafeman, Auxiliary Department President Jan Kintz and S.A.L. Detachment Commander David Mennel were presented with their own pair of red flannels.

On January 8, in keeping with a longstanding tradition, the Cedar Springs American Legion, Glen Hill Post 287 presented State Department Commander Bill Hafeman, Auxiliary Department President Jan Kintz and S.A.L. Detachment Commander David Mennell, with their very own pair of red flannels from the Red Flannel Capital of the World.
Every year at the annual Early Bird Dinner, they have a fine meal for those members who have paid their dues early. Invited to the dinner are the State level officers of the organization, as well as past dignitaries. After the dinner, the present and past Department officers graciously wear their Red Flannel attire and perform the chicken dance.

Several past and current American Legion commanders pose in their red flannels. Back row: SAL Detachment Commander David Mennel, Past Detachment Commander Andre Svacha, Past Detachment Commander Sandy Lipman, our very own Past Dept. President Mary Goller-Kilts, Past Detachment Commander Pat Pustay, Past Dept. President Donna Fueling, Dept. Commander Bill Hafeman, Past Dept. Commander Jerry Dennis. Front row: SAL Det. Commander’s wife Anita Mennel, State Department Commander’s wife Jan Hafeman and Department President Jan Kintz.