Hokendauqua turned out in force July 27 to cut the ribbon on the remodeled home for Jones-Quigg American Legion Post 739.

The day observed the 75th anniversary of the Post’s founding and the 100th anniversary of the American Legion. But the greatest celebration was the reopening of the building, which was destroyed by fire July 25, 2016.

Lightning had hit a cable on Front Street and traveled down the wires to the building, located at 3739 American Legion Drive. Old paper-coated wires in the building could not take the hit and started the fire, resulting in extensive damage to the 100-foot-long roof and water damage to the social hall.

The two-alarm blaze had up to 100 volunteer firefighters from Whitehall and South Whitehall townships and Catasauqua Borough responding.

Post member Stephen Bandura took on the task of rebuilding.

“We had a lot of trouble getting a replacement number from the insurance company. We finally got a public adjuster in to get a good evaluation of the damage,” he said. “Even so, it took us more than a year to get the paperwork approved.”

For Bandura, this was a personal project. His father is still active in the Legion and has been a member for 66 years.

“This is where I spent some of my youth,” he said. “Later, Dad and I would come down on Mondays. We could sit and talk. I wanted to make sure we could get back to that routine.”

Whitehall Township Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. joined Post Commander Nate Smith in recounting the events leading up to this ceremony and honoring those with 50-plus-year memberships.

Daniel Coval, who died recently, had held a 73-year membership.

Other honored guests in attendance included state Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd, and Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong.

Smith received recognition for his work as Post commander. Thomas Bohner is assuming the role as commander.

Sheila Horvath received recognition for all her efforts. When the fire was out, there was some damage to items in the hall, but most of the museum pieces were not damaged.

“We had nowhere to store all the items we had,” Bandura said. “Sheila stepped up and gave us a place to store memorabilia.

“All of it is important to the club. There are unique items here. We have Civil War discharge papers from a relative of one of our members. The items are priceless, and Sheila kept these protected during the reconstruction period,” he said.

Alvin H. Butz Inc. helped get the project completed.

“They were very helpful,” Bandura said. “We were $70,000 short, and they got us what we needed.”

Bath Supply also contributed to the Post efforts.

“There is a still a lot to do,” Bandura said. “We have the kitchen and the bar open, so we can get some money and finish up the rest of the hall.”