San Saba, San Saba County
Upon returning home from service in World War I, San Saba veterans felt a need to organize socially. The only existing organization of veterans was the William P. Rogers Camp No. 322, United Confederate Veterans (UCV). The UCV camp welcomed the new veterans and assisted them in organizing into the Wiley B. Murray Post No. 27 of the American Legion. President of City National Bank T.A. Murray (1870-1942) provided the veterans a meeting place. In honor of T.A. Murray’s assistance, the veterans named their post after his son Wiley (1896-1918), who had perished fighting in France. On August 13, 1919, a charter was issued, making Wiley B. Murray Post No. 27 one of the first posts in the state and nation. In late 1920, one of the post’s first activities was to accompany the body of their namesake, just returned from France, from the rail station to his burial. The veterans provided this service for each of the men from San Saba County as their remains were repatriated. In 1921, Legionnaires’ wives formed a women’s auxiliary. During the first two decades, the post focused on community service projects such as Christmas gifts for San Saba children, patriotic school programs and developing mill pond park for the community. During World War II, the veterans supported the war effort, and afterwards welcomed the new veterans into the legion, supporting them with new G.I. Bill assistance. In 1946, the San Saba vocational school for veterans was established, and Legionnaires Ray W. Harris, Warden Terry and T.A. Davenport taught classes. The new legion meeting hall, opened in 1959, became a popular meeting and event location for the community. Since its inception, American Legion Wiley B. Murray Post No. 27 has served veterans and the San Saba community. (2023)