James A. Edmond Post 121

About Post 121

James Archibald "Pete" Edmond, one of the first Wacoans to be killed in action during WWI, was the hero for whom the American Legion Post 121 is the honored namesake.  On December 10, 1919, 50 veterans met to begin the process of chartering a branch of the American Legion in Waco.  They wanted to name their post to honor the memory of the brave hometown soldier, James A. Edmond.  On December 18, 1919, State Adjutant Charles Scruggs informed the members that the charter had been approved and the post would be designated the James A. Edmond Post No. 121.

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A program was held on March 7, 1920 to honor Lt. Edmond and all other servicemen from McLennan County who had lost their lives in WWI.  The French government sent memorial certificates to all the next-of-kin.  The widow of James Edmond made and presented to Post 121 a U.S. flag of embroidered silk with gold silk fringe, a polished oak staff topped with a gilded eagle, gold cord and tassels, and silk streamers inscribed with James A. Edmond Post American Legion Waco, Texas.

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Amongst pecan trees and copper plate markers placed in Cameron Park in the 1920's to memorialize Waco's fallen heroes was a memorial to James A. Edmond.  When construction of the Cameron Park Zoo began in the early 1990's, the memorial to Edmond was found.  Then Commander Thomas Ritter of Post 121, made sure the marker was moved and Edmond's monument has since had a place in Oakwood Cemetery.  It reads: