Shortly after the discharge of the veterans of World War I, a serious movement was started to organize a Post of the American Legion in Reading, OH. Inspired by Dr. A.H. Carr, after many meetings, an application was made for a charter by the following veterans: William Engel, Alvin Bothe, Frank Koehler, Albert Greiner, George Hermann, Henry Schmitz, Ben Martin, Mellie Nickley, Herman Tobler, William Hogue, Wentworth Greiner, William Ficke, William Kunz, Joseph Feldhaus, John Trapp and Dr. Carr. The charter was received August 18, 1919 in the name of Clarence Halker Post #69, honoring the first serviceman from Reading to make the Supreme Sacrifice in France.

August 26, 1919, held at the Reading Village Building, the first meeting convened with a membership of thirty-three. The following were elected to serve as officers: Commander, Charles H. Greiner; Vice-Commander, Gary Hermann; Adjutant, Harry E. Link; Finance Officer, Alvin Bothe; Surgeon, Dr. Carr; Sgt-at-Arms, Joe Trapp; Service Officer, Frank Koehler. The first order of business was the ordering of 45 bronze and 5 silver buttons for those wounded in action.

1921 saw the remains of Clarence Halker and brothers Carl and Russell Guth returned from overseas. All three men were buried at Oak Hill Cemetery where the Post conducted a military funeral. This was the beginning of Post #69 and Guth Brothers Post #111 combined memorial services at Oak Hill on Memorial Day. A tradition that continues to this day.

1922 was the beginning of the building fund with monies raised by sponsoring raffles, dances, socials and lawn fetes. The spring of 1924 the post purchased the old Tammany Hall at 1000 Reading Road which was demolished in 1925 to make way for the construction of the dugout. Misfortune prevailed and the bank foreclosed in 1931, forcing the Legion to vacate. Reading City Hall and Max Hentschell's Garage then became the sites for the meetings.

In 1940, the Y.M.I. Hall at Church and Pike Streets was purchased. Improvements were made and carnivals were held on the adjoining property. The carnivals, being an annual event, later became known as The Fourth of July Festival and celebrated today at Koenig Park.

July 20, 1946, the Post name was changed to Halker-Flege Post #69 in honor of Emil Flege, the first Reading boy to make the Supreme Sacrifice for his country in World War II.

The post purchased the dugout and again moved back to 1000 Reading Road where we are at the present time.

As the veterans returned from World War II, the membership grew; the Post Band, under the direction of Charley Lohmueller was organized in March, 1946. The Firing Squad increased in size, now known as the Color Guard.

1952 was a banner year for Post #69: the mortgage on the Dugout was paid in February and Bingo became a part of the activities.

In 1967, extensive remodeling was undertaken to the existing Dugout and a second floor was added to the property. The new facility was dedicated in 1968. September 1983 saw the paying off of the mortgage.

Post activities continued: flags were presented to the city and schools. Essay contests were sponsored. In later years, and continuing to the present, Post #69 began awarding college scholarships; sponsored youth baseball teams; Americanism and government tests at the schools; Buckeye Boys State; Special Olympics; Gifts for Yanks; programs at the Veterans' Hospital and convalescent centers; Senior Citizens’ dinners for the community; The Christmas Basket Program that helps and assists the needy families in Reading and surrounding communities.

Membership continues some eighty years later, from a beginning membership of 33.