New center to serve as home for BJ Legion

After the century-old American Legion building in Burlington Junction collapsed on Feb. 3, the future of Rolla Dicks Post 315 — a mainstay of community service and local pride since the 1920s — seemed uncertain.

Legionnaires, sheriff's deputies and volunteer firefighters were able to enter the ruined building on a wintry Sunday evening after it crumbled into a dusty heap and save scores of old photographs, flags, plaques and other memorabilia.

But the future of the organization itself was in doubt with the loss of its permanent headquarters. Slender finances and an aging membership were already taking their toll on the group before the structure fell, a likely victim of age-crumbled mortar and building fatigue.

Soon after the collapse, however, Post Commander Marlin Slagle pledged that the post would continue on, though probably in a borrowed meeting space.

"We're not going to rebuild, I can tell you that for sure," Slagle said a couple of days after the cave-in. "We don't have the money."

Well, as many old soldiers can affirm, the key to winning a battle is sometimes simply refusing to give up, and when it comes to the Legion, one of the town's most active volunteer organizations, Burlington Junction was simply unwilling to furl its flag and leave the field.

On Friday, Slagle said a group of local residents is forming a non-profit corporation that will raise money to construct a new community center, a facility that will also function as a Legion hall. Flags will fly, the old high school photos will go back up on the walls and the ham-and-bean dinners will continue, as will the Legion's longstanding service to young people and the BJ community at large.

Much of the credit, Slagle said, goes to C.D. Clark, a local farmer and Korean War veteran, who is leading the effort to rebuild.

Slagle declined to say how much money has been raised but described it as a "substantial amount." He estimates that completing the new structure, which will be located on the same Main Street lot as the old building, will cost around $100,000.

If all goes well, Slagle said, construction should get underway this summer on a wood-framed, steel-roofed building with a footprint of about 40 by 80 feet.

Though the building will be used by the Legion, Slagle emphasized that it will serve primarily as a community building and be owned by the corporation. Local residents will have access to the facility for any number of events from family and class reunions to service club gatherings and business meetings.

In the meantime, Post 315 will continue holding its monthly meetings in the Burlington Junction City Hall, it's banners, plaques, photos and ceremonial M-1 rifles temporarily stored "here, there and everywhere."

But it won't be long before all of those mementoes of service to country will once again be on display for all to see in a town that has always taken great pride in native sons and daughters who have worn a United States uniform.

As for the Legionnaires, Slagle said they are proud that the new building will belong not to them but to the community they are determined to continue serving.

"That's what we've always done," Slagle said.