Commander, Luke Bedortha (540) 244-1137
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VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS COMER-JONES POST 621
“Honor The Dead By Helping The Living”
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The Comer –Jones Post 6 21, Veterans of Foreign Wars, was organized October 24, 1944, and for a short time was known as Baker- Higgs Post. The Post was first name in respect of Walter Baker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Baker, of
Springfield, who was reported missing in the Pacific area November 19, 1943, and private first class Donald Higgs son of Mr. and Mrs. Higgs, of Stanley, who died September 27, 1943, in North Africa Campaign. Both men were at that time thought to have been the first to give their lives for their country in their respect battle areas. A short time after the organization of the Post it was found out Avis Comer, of Shenandoah, and Melvin Jones, of Stanley, had been listed as losing their lives in the war zone prior to Baker and Higgs. In December 1944, the Post was officially named “Comer-Jones”. The “Baker-Higgs”name was only tentative. The local VFW Post elected the following officers to head the organization for its first year: Elwood L. Moses, then Luray Police Chief, Commander; Wilber L Crider, of Shenandoah, Senior Vice commander; Robert L. Sampsell, Luray, Junior Vice Commander; W. Henry Huffman, Luray, Adjutant-Quartermaster; Walter N. Broyles, Stanley, Post Advocate and Guard; Richard G. Hopper, Luray, Chaplain and Officer of the day; R. H. Llewellyn, Broadway, Surgeon; Trustees: (18 months) James E. Ellis, New Market; (12 months) Fred A. Keyser, Stanley; and (6 months) Ray F. Bailey, Rileyville. The obligation of the order was given to all members, and officers were elected and appointed to serve until April, 1945. The Page County Courthouse was elected as a meeting place, meetings to be conducted monthly on the second Tuesday at 8:00 PM Each member was urged to recruit one or more members before the next meeting. The Charter was to remain open for a period of ninety days in order that all who would join in that period would go in as charter members. W.I. Woodell, Department Adjutant-Quartermaster, Staunton, assisted by R. H. Llewellyn, of Broadway, Officiated at the organizational meeting held at the Court House |
The Comer –Jones Post 621 was organized October 24, 1944, and was named for the first two veterans officially declared dead by the War Department. Avis Owen Comer, of Shenandoah, who was killed on Guadalcanal September 14, 1942, and Melvin Lafayette Jones, of Stanley, who died of wounds received in active naval duty on the USS Jacob Jones February 28, 1942.
Avis Owen Comer
New Home Built In Summer of 1954article from Page News and Courier oct. 21, 1954
Luray post 621 Veterans of Foreign Wars is justly proud of their new Post Home located one and a half miles east of Luray and purchased in January of this year for $1050. The building was formerly used as Carl’s Chapel and was purchased from the trustees of the congregation. Two year loans received from numerous VFW members, with a larger loan of $2850 and funds from the treasury was used to remodel and enlarge the building. In addition to laying a new Oak floor and painting and decorating the main auditorium, there was also added to the building a kitchen, two rest rooms and a pantry with basement under the new addition. The large room in the main building is approximately 30 feet wide and 40 feet long and is used by the VFW Post as well as the Auxiliary for their meetings. It is also used for dances. The Auxiliary planned the decorations and color scheme. The kitchen fixtures, range, refrigerator, sink, cabinet, plastic title floor, etc. were also furnished by the Auxiliary. |
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Present Post Home
In the 1960s the east wing was added with a restroom also sometime later the front car porch was added
around 1977 the west wing was added
in the late nineties the bar area was added also the front car porch was closed end and extensions anded to the two wings creating what is now the Post Home
around 1977 the west wing was added
in the late nineties the bar area was added also the front car porch was closed end and extensions anded to the two wings creating what is now the Post Home
