About VFW Post 7397
The History of our Post
Isadore Hoehn Post 7397 received its Charter from the Veterans of Foreign Wars in August of 1966. Our Post was named for Isadore Hoehn, the only Lenexa resident who was killed while serving his country during World War I.
Initially, our Post meetings were held in the basement of Past Commander Joe Timberlake's home, and later at Bud's Tavern in Lenexa. The Post subsequently relocated to Krumm's Store building which included a small Clubroom for the members. It was during this period that the membership voted to purchase five lots on Pflumm for our permanent Post Home. An additional plot was acquired in 1991 for our north parking lot. Fundraising commenced with parties and dances, and when the land was finally acquired, it was cleared by volunteers from the Post.
The membership borrowed $100,000 and an additional $10,000 to erect the building that our Post currently resides in today, and in November of 1972 the members of Post 7397 moved into their permanent Post Home. Most of the labor and material for the project was donated by members, many of whom are talented craftsmen. Their commitment and spirit of volunteerism has allowed the Post to complete many improvements over the years, and that tradition continues even today. As a result of the foresight and hard work of our charter members, today Post 7397 is able to carry out its mission of serving veterans, their families and the community.
“Tell Mother I was not Afraid to Die"
(A letter received by Mrs. M. Hoehn, Lenexa, KS, from Lieut. Frank T Queen, Co. H 137th Infantry, American Expeditionary Force, November 17th, 1918, telling of her son’s death.)
My Dear Mrs. Hoehn,
I received your letter on October 17, in regard to the death of your son, Private Isadore Joseph Hoehn, and will endeavor to give you all of the information that I have in regard to his death.
Your son went over the top with his Company on the morning of September 26, in one of the greatest offensives in this war. It was east of the Argonne forest that was much talked about in the papers at that time. We had advanced about five kilometers (a little over three miles) and were in the front of the line of attack.
Your son with the other members of his squad, was in the second line which halted on the top of a small hill, while the first line cleared away some machine guns that were holding us for a few minutes. Shells were falling upon the hill and back where your son’s squad was stationed. Just as they were preparing to move forward a shell lit in the squad, and the entire squad was wiped out.
Medical assistance was near and the stretcher bearers at once gathered up those not killed outright and carried them to the dressing station. Upon reaching the dressing station your son made the remark, “Tell mother I was not afraid to die”. He closed his eyes a few moments later and passed away with little or no suffering.
I wish to extend to you my sympathy in this dark hour as it seems to a broken hearted mother, but I know that it will make the heart of a brave American woman who has lost her son on the battlefield swell with pride when she knows her son gave up his life for such a great cause. I will say that he was a brave soldier, always willing to do and never hesitating at any time. He showed his bravery as did the others by never faltering or hesitating, even at the suborn resistance that we met in several places.
Very truly yours,
Lt. Frank T. McQueen