Ten years after World War I ended, James N. MacLean and a handful of Massapequa Veterans began talking to Massapequa's newest residents about organizing an American Legion Post in the Pequas.

During the late 1920s when this young settlement began to gain prominence as an excellent farming area, many young men, with their parents, decided to purchase land here and the area quickly became one of the finest farming communities on the South Shore that also boasted of several lavish hotels and a reputation for being a great fishing area and small game hunting grounds.

With that charming atmosphere here, it was beginning to encourage many of the summer visitors and immigrants to purchase land and become a permanent part of the once sparsely settled cozy farm town.

James McLean was a very popular activist and community leader. Following several informal meetings with local veterans, it was decided that MacLean should mail out form letters to the residents requesting military background information to ascertain interest in chartering a post in the Massapequa's. During a period of about two years with unhurried planning and, according to records several of the veterans living here, 16 in all at that time, wanted an American Legion Post in its new hometown.

A formal application for a Post of the American Legion, dated Jan. 22, 1931, was filed in Albany with the Department Headquarters. The members' first formal meetings were held in a small stuccoed building in the vicinity of Cedar Lane off of Alhambra Road that they called "The Dugout" and a dance hall-type restaurant known as the "Tee-Pee" located at the southwest corner of Park Boulevard and Sunrise Highway in Massapequa Park. A few years later, the membership was able to purchase a vacant building with a large parcel of land located on the northeast corner of Ocean Avenue and the then Brooklyn Avenue opposite the now CVS plaza. The building was the former sales office for the Queens Land and Title Company during the days of the booming South Shore real estate sales that were being advertised in New York City newspapers. The building was perfect for the Post at that time. The exterior was wood sided and resembled a Cape Cod-type cabin. During those early years, the late '30s and '40s, a variety of events were held weekends - the most popular were Saturday night Teen dances. Young guys and gals would come from as far away as Farmingdale and Bellmore. I can still remember meeting my friends up on the loft dance nights, so we could look down on the dance floor to see who was there and coming in. Bingo was starting to catch on as a Post fundraiser and formal dinner dances were attended by the Post members and veterans from throughout Long Island, along with an occasional wedding reception.

Many years later, the Post moved from then Brooklyn Avenue to its current home at 66 Veterans Boulevard, opposite the Massapequa Railroad Station. The number 1666 that was incorporated into the Post's title, was the address of the Brooklyn Avenue building. The groundbreaking ceremonies were held Nov. 8, 1953, with Post Commander John Atanat, Past Commander James Maclean and Building Committee Chairman Anthony Filete conducting the ceremonies. The cornerstone for the $100,000 two-story building was laid on April 4, 1954. The modern building at that time, was designed with a high ceiling for American Legion competitive basketball games and, also, the Post's meeting room. The second flour housed offices and small private meeting rooms. The large meeting room was later converted to an up-to-date catering hall that to this day brings in the revenue to support the Post's expenses. The entrance foyer features wall hung Post memorabilia.

The huge hall, known as Memorial Hall, was opened on Saturday, Sept. 15, 1954, with a gala Past Commander's dinner honoring Joseph Rampati, with Post Commander Ray Pankowski as the master of ceremonies. During those early days of the Post a marching band they named "The Redman" was organized that included twirlers, The Pequadetts, an all-girls drill team, and a color guard. My teenage sister Susie was the Drum Majorette for several years. The Long Island Mummers practiced in the hall and on the parking lot, their beautiful string music could be heard for blocks away. Many of my friends, who had just returned home in the 1950s from their tour of duty in the Korean War, had their wedding receptions in the hall. The members' lounge, known as the "Americana Lounge," recently purchased a 52-inch plasma television and mirrored the wall behind the bar. The lounge now has a homey atmosphere. And, the pool table with the new light named "Bud Light" is always in use. Major events being held these days include Karaoke Nights, with snacks, Oktoberfest, Early Bird Dinner Dances, Chinese Auctions and Fashion Shows to name a few. A most recent change has been the addition of the veterans' and service organizations' Memorial Garden at the front of the building, built in 2003 and made possible from donations from the community and designed by Past Post Commander Luis Ulino.

When World War I Veterans united in 1919 to found the American Legion, they didn't do so with veterans alone in mind. They believed it was the Legion's responsibility, under its constitution, to lobby for strong national defense, to "foster and perpetuate an 100 percent Americanism" and to provide opportunities for a brighter future for the nation's children and youth.

Since the beginning, veterans from several wars have been commanders of the Post. In 1987, Kenneth Gibson became the first Vietnam Veteran to command the Post. Post 1066's more than 600 members continue to join forces with other communities veteran groups to sponsor parades, memorial services and Nassau and Suffolk Counties veteran's functions. The Massapequa Post has been equated by the seventh police precinct to provide emergency shelter for two Massapequa schools in the event of a disaster. And, a reminder that old flags can be dropped at the Post anytime. Once a year, a Flag ceremony is held that's attended by community organizations and Scout troops.