How many American military members have deployed to foreign lands? The United States Navy and Marines were undoubtedly among the first US Military Forces to deploy overseas. The Marine Corps Hymn sings “From the Halls of Montezuma to Shores of Tripoli”. The Shores of Tripoli refer to a several battles between Barbary Coast pirates and the United States Navy and embarked Marines. After that came the “Pineapple Wars”. A series of military engagements in Central and South America, again featuring the Navy and Marines. When Pancho Villa began raiding American towns along the southern boarder, the U.S. Army and National Guard, including a contingent from Washington State, were deployed to Mexico.

The first large scale American military overseas deployment was ordered by President Theodore Roosevelt. From 1907-1909 the modern military might of the United States Navy was on full display as “The Great White Fleet” circumnavigated the globe. Roosevelt hoped that this show of force would, among other things, promote peace through strength. Or as the former Rough Rider put it “Walk softly and carry a big stick.”

Unfortunately, less than a decade later, American forces would find themselves engulfed in a global conflict. Upon their entry into World War 1, America sent tens of thousands of soldiers, sailors and Marines to fight for the freedom of Belgium and France. The American Doughboys did indeed help liberate those nations but the cost was high. Young American men died by tens of thousands. Among the many dead was a Whatcom County logger turned soldier named Albert J Hamilton.

Shortly after The Great War ended, Whatcom County Veterans established the Albert J Hamilton American Legion Post 7 in Bellingham, Washington. 105 years later that same Bellingham Legion Post is thriving and actively serving Veterans, their families and America’s military community.

After the horrific experience of World War 1 there was very little appetite concerning the deployment of American troops. World War 2 forever changed that. From the tiniest islands of the South Pacific to the battlefields of Europe, American men and women were deployed to fight. Once again American military might had freed millions of people from tyranny however with that victory came a realization. To promote world wide peace and prosperity, the United States could no longer behave as an isolationist nation.

Today, American troops are deployed in every corner of the globe. My own service saw me visit multiple Middle East and Asian nations. My father was a Combat Engineer in Vietnam. My nephew is currently deployed to Poland. The evening before he left I wished him well on his first deployment. My nephew may not realize it now but he is indeed fortunate. Ask any Veteran about their overseas experience and you will get quite a story. Many of our Post 7 Legionnaires have spent time overseas. Be it a single deployment or multiple tours in distant lands, those military travels shaped our lives in ways beyond measure. Very few United States citizens are qualified to wear our nations uniform. Fewer still serve in foreign lands. It is indeed an honor to be deployed while wearing the Stars & Stripes.

As my family visits several European battlefields and memorials of our nations past, we invite you to follow along. I will be posting photos on our Facebook page along with more detailed information on the brand new Bellingham Legion website. You can link to the website through our Facebook page or visit BellinghamLegion.com

Robert W Meyers
Albert J Hamilton Post 7 Historian
May 5, 2024
Paris, France