History of Post 1820

Temple, Texas had its first "1820" Post instituted on 23 November, 1937, in the library of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp #1829 with 43 men listed as charter members. Known as "Frank Curtis Post 1820." Its charter commander was Clemmie E. Ambler, wo was noted on the charter application as "bugler" in the US Army with foreign service in France and discharged on 19 November 1919.

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This Post apparently had rough times, being declared defunct on 5 December, 1942. Besides Ambler, other Post commanders of record were J. M. Barron (1938-1941) and William L. Leatherwood who was the Post Commander at the time of the closing in December 1942.

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A new Post was mustered/instituted on 14 December, 1943 by Department Commander Dr. D.S. Myers with 24 members present. The first Post meeting was held at the municipal building in Temple. The Post name of "Bell" was adopted in March 1944.

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On 17 January, 1957 Veterans of Foriegn Wars National Commander-in -Chief, Cooper T. Holt, visited Post 1820 and held a press conference on KCEN-TV and toured the McCloskey VA Hospital.