By Carol Britton Meyer

Hull veteran Jim Richman is in the process of reactivating the Oscar Smith Mitchell American Legion Post #140 so that Hull will have an all-inclusive organization for veterans of all branches of the service.

The Mitchell Post formed in 1919 and was once headquartered in what is now the Anne M. Scully Senior Center, when it was known as the Veterans Building. The charter is still active even though the post has been inactive for many years.

**SOLDIERING ON.** Oscar Smith Mitchell, the first Hullonian killed in World War I, is the namesake of American Legion Post #140, which is in the process of being revived by a local veteran. [Photo courtesy of the Hull Historical Society]

Mitchell, the son of John and Esther Mitchell of Hull Village, was the first Hull soldier who lost his life in the service of his country during World War I, and a plaque commemorating him still hangs on the wall in the building at 197A Samoset Ave.

Richman has already been appointed commander of Post #140 by the district American Legion. Having a commander in place is required before a post can be revived.

“I’m in the process of doing that now,” Richman told The Hull Times. The timeframe is not known at this time.

Richman has two main reasons in mind for restarting the group. First, the American Legion is open to all veterans, whereas the Veterans of Foreign Wars is limited to those who fought overseas, and second, the Hull VFW post is planning to merge with the post in Hingham.

Richman feels that bringing Post #140 back to life will help fill the gap that will be left if that occurs.

Hull VFW Post Commander Kevin Beck told The Hull Times that both the Hingham and Hull posts will be voting in the near future “on whether to merge as a single post due to declining VFW membership.”

Richman said the goal is “to ensure that there’s a formal organization for Hull veterans to call their own.

“We’re looking for veterans to join this revived post from any branch of the service, including the Coast Guard,” he said. “This includes anyone who has served their country in any capacity in times of war or peace.”

In the meantime, Richman recently created an American Legion Post 140 Facebook page that already has 18 likes and 19 followers. The page offers helpful information for veterans, including upcoming events and other news.

In addition, Post #140 has a charter for a Sons of American Legion Post that Richman would also like to revitalize.

SAL members include males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military and were eligible for American Legion membership.

“The American Legion provides life-changing assistance and guidance for veterans, military personnel, and their families and communities in thousands of ways,” Richman said.