DALLAS — Spread across Clarence Michael’s dining room table are flyers, newspaper clippings and a scrapbook depicting the recent history of the Daddow-Isaacs American Legion Post 672.

The 81-year-old is the past commander and current historian of the Dallas American Legion, which celebrated its 80th anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 11.

“I was the (Daddow-Isaacs American Legion Post 672) commander for 2007 to 2009,” said Michael, a U.S. Army veteran.

The legion’s early history remains a mystery to the Dallas Township resident.

“I know it was formed in February 1936 and named after Lloyd Daddow, who was an enlisted sailor, and Gomer ‘Claude’ Isaacs,” Michael said.

Daddow died of pneumonia, and Isaacs died from influenza following World War I, Michael said. Both men were from Dallas.

“I do not know what their involvement was during the Great War,” Michael said.

He could not share more information about the Post’s namesakes, citing unavailable records.

Michael said the Pennsylvania American Legion was established on June 12, 1919, the American Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary was founded in 1919, the Sons of the American Legion on Sept. 15, 1932 and the American Legion Riders in 1993.

Michael has taken steps to preserve recent Legion history by making scrapbooks and keeping a variety of newspaper clippings showing the variety of community service projects and events sponsored by Post 672.

Michael’s records include photos of children’s Halloween, Christmas and Easter events, student essay contests and scholarship winners, as well as memorial services for fallen veterans and the annual Dallas Memorial Day Parade.

“We are a very active Legion,” he said.

A new chapter in Legion history noted a recent proposal to change the Post’s name to honor 24-year-old Lt. Michael Cleary who was killed on Dec. 20, 2005, in military action, near Samarra, Iraq.

The former Dallas resident’s memory has been honored with the naming of a road, Lt. Michael Cleary Drive, as well as the Cleary Cup, a soccer competition between Dallas and Lake-Lehman boys soccer teams. Dallas High School’s soccer field is also named after the 1999 alumnus.

“I knew Cleary,” Michael said, noting he abstained from voting on the name change during the Nov. 7 Legion meeting. “He was friends with my son. He was a tremendous individual.”

Michael said the meeting attracted an “overwhelming” number of members who voted to keep the Post’s longstanding name.

The American Legion Post 672 will commemorate its 80th anniversary on Nov. 11, according to Clarence Michael, the Post’s historian.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_AmLeg2-Copy-1.jpg.optimal.jpgThe American Legion Post 672 will commemorate its 80th anniversary on Nov. 11, according to Clarence Michael, the Post’s historian. Eileen Godin | Dallas Post

Clarence Michael, historian and past commander of the American Legion Post 672, shares a scrapbook of Legion events and activities held in 2008.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_Am-Leg-3-Copy-1.jpg.optimal.jpgClarence Michael, historian and past commander of the American Legion Post 672, shares a scrapbook of Legion events and activities held in 2008. Eileen Godin | Dallas Post

Clarence Michael, past commander and current historian of the American Legion Post 672 in Dallas, talks about the variety of community events, which include scholarship essay contests for students to events for all veterans. The American Legion Post 672 members will celebrate its 80th anniversary on Nov. 11.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_Am-Leg4-Copy-1.jpg.optimal.jpgClarence Michael, past commander and current historian of the American Legion Post 672 in Dallas, talks about the variety of community events, which include scholarship essay contests for students to events for all veterans. The American Legion Post 672 members will celebrate its 80th anniversary on Nov. 11. Eileen Godin | Dallas Post

American Legion Post 672 Historian Clarence Michael said the organization has very active members who work to benefit the Back Mountain community in a number of ways.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_AmLeg-Copy-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAmerican Legion Post 672 Historian Clarence Michael said the organization has very active members who work to benefit the Back Mountain community in a number of ways. Eileen Godin | Dallas Post
Members vote recently to retain Post’s original name

By Eileen Godin

egodin@timesleader.com

Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.