It will take some time to retrieve the history of all eighteen men involved in the Turner Post 111. In my book review on:

Turner, Maine

Two Centuries of History,

Trivia and Observations

by Rufus Prince

published by the Penobscot Press

 on page 427, Prince writes: "American Legion, Turner Post 111 does not appear ever to have been a significant organization in Turner. 

In light of that statement here are my first findings on the first Chaplain, Amos Francis Bumpus and his significant impact on Turner Maine.

As the Chaplain and Historian of the newly revitalized Turner Memorial Post 111 of course I had an interest concerning the first American Legion Chaplain, Amos Francis  Bumpus.

First off, he signed the post application for permanent charter in 1920 as Francis Bumpus.

His birth name is: Amos Francis Bumpus.

I first found out that Amos Francis Bumpus was born  on September 24th 1898 and died at the age of 67 on October 11th 1965 in Prescott Arizona and was buried in the Turner Center Cemetery.

I then found out that he lived on Lower Street in Turner.

This fact was interesting to me because as the 1st Chaplain of the newly revitalized Post 111, I also live on Lower Street.

The home on Lower Street was known as the Martin Bumpus home and in later years the home of his son Raleigh Bumpus.

Amos Frances Bumpus had a love for God and Country and served as Chaplain for the American Legion Post 111 of Turner. He himself graduated from Leavitt in 1916 at 18 years old and served in World War I (1917-1918) and continued his education at Bates College in Lewiston in 1922 after his service to our country and graduated in the fall of 1927.

He was also a member of the Natural History Club in Turner.

Amos Francis Bumpus believed in the general principles and creed embraced by the veterans of World War I that formed the American Legion that read:

"General Principles and Creed"

Recognizing the supreme obligation of the citizens to maintain our national honor and integrity, and being resolved that the fruits of the Great War shall not die, we who participated in the war in order that the principles of justice, freedom and democracy may more completely influence the daily lives of America's manhood, do announce our adherence to the following principles and purposes:

To inculcate the duties and obligations of citizenship.

To preserve the history and incidents of our participation in all wars.

To cement the ties of comradeship formed in the service.

To promote, assist and protect the general welfare of all soldiers, sailors and marines and those dependent on them.

To encourage the maintenance of individual and national efficiency to the end that the nation shall never fail in its obligations.

To maintain the principles that undivided and uncompromising support of the constitution of the United States is the true test of loyalty."

As a reminder of his devotion and commitment to the American Legion, Post 111 of Turner, Amos Francis Bumpus left behind a scholarship award for future Leavitt Area High School senior students.

The "Amos Francis Bumpus Award - The remainder of the income of the Bumpus account shall be used for annual awards to be made to senior students with a major interest in athletics who maintain or improve their scholastic averages in physical education while fostering American loyalty in school, church and/or community activities; and who writes the best essay on Americanism, approximately 300 words in length, to be judged by a committee composed of persons from high school faculty, from the Board of Directors of the school district, with the high school principal as chairman. The students may be, and the judges are to be, guided in the writing and judging by the following outline:

1: Constructive factors that have contributed to America's becoming a leading country in world affairs.

2: The status of America today.

3: The future of America, setting forth those principles that will retain the best of the colonial period and the best of modern America.

The awards shall be available to all students within the district who meet the above qualifications.

As an American Legion Historian my office is an important one.

"To me was given the responsibility of preserving and compiling the records of this Post. The future can only be judged by the past. Be mindful that the lamp of recorded experience may do much in guiding the footsteps of those who follow. Ever remember that without the recorded history of this Post, its policies and accomplishments will be a blank to the ones who come after we are gone."

It is not my charge or responsibility to retrieve and restore lost history of the American Legion Post 111 it is simply my passion. signed: Paul R. Bernard, Chaplain, Historian, Publicity Officer  This web site was created and is maintained for historical and public relations purposes. Copyright 2006 ~ All Rights Reserved