The American Legion was founded by Lt. Colonel Teddy Roosevelt, Jr. in France at the end of World War I. The son of the famous President and war hero, Teddy Jr. came up with the idea of a lifelong fraternal order for Veterans after commiserating with his fellow soldiers- doughboys, as they were called back then -while awaiting transport back home after the war. The doughboys knew that they would soon be home and demobilized.
And then what?
A welcomed return to civilian life after wartime service. Marrying, raising children, living a well deserved life of peace and tranquillity.
Yet going from the uniform to civvies was too abrupt, too permanent for all too many. A part of them needed some way, some outlet, to help them to hold onto, or at least remember, that important part of their lives when they wore that uniform with pride. So Teddy and his fellow doughboys founded the American Legion, with the understanding that it would serve as an organization to support and welcome Veterans. But much more, to offer Veterans a place they could call home. And that’s what Post 440 in Newton is, a place for veterans to call home and most important, a place to remember those who never made it home.
Venture downstairs at the Post and gaze at the World War I glass case highlighting Newtonites who served in that war, most of whom were fortunate enough to make it home. Then continue down the hall to the right where you’ll encounter the Wall of Honor. Photos of Newton servicemen who gave the ultimate sacrifice, looking out at us as if uttering that solemn endearing word… Remember. And remember them, we do.
Post 440 honors the fallen. And thanks the living. Memorial Day, Veterans Day are sacred to the Post, commemorated and honored. With the understanding that while those who fell in war are a tragedy, those who returned from the war are a blessing. And it is those who returned for whom we are grateful. Especially the ones who are still very much with us. The Veterans. The men and women from our Newton community for whom Post 440 was built. The very reason for its existence. For decades the Post has stood and served as a beacon for hundreds, if not thousands, of local Veterans. For decades more it will stand.
Thank you,
God Bless Our Veterans.
And God Bless the United States of America.
Their nation, Our nation, which they served with honor
The Story of American Legion Nonantum Post 440, Newton, Massachusetts The Post With The Most
The story of American Legion Nonantum Post 440 is a story started from humble beginnings of a small legion post for veterans celebrating camaraderie and remembering their fallen brothers to a tremendous living, breathing hub, demonstrating and impressing a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation. It all started in 1946 when 37 veterans from the village of Nonantum (The Lake), the largest predominantly Italian neighborhood in the City of Newton, got together to form a legion post for Nonantum as well as other villages throughout the city. The veterans were granted an American Legion Charter in 1947. The first meetings were held in the gymnasium of the Nonantum Athletic Association on Dalby Street. After about a year or longer they signed for the second floor of Columbus Hall located on Watertown Street (in 1948). The Post then moved to the basement when they arranged to move to 142 Adams Street in 1960. Post 440 steadily grew in membership making the storefront on Adams Street too small for over 500 members. This is when two veterans had a dream of a Post not only for veterans of Nonantum and other sections of the city but for the whole community of Newton. The two veterans were Roger Marrocco and Alan Licarie. Roger Marrocco was an army combat veteran in WWII who served in the 7th Infantry Division and fought in the Okinawa Campaign. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Alan Licarie was an army veteran of the Korean War who served as a Military Police (MP) Officer in Germany patrolling the Autobahn. Both men headed the Land and Building Committee consisting of Salvatore Arico, David Berkeley, Robert Buckinshaw, Nicholas Gentile, Arnold Katz, Gerry Leone, Stephen Matczak, Mark Turchinetz. Roger Marrocco served as Chairman and Alan Licarie as Vice Chairman.
In 1967, the two men leading the Land and Building Committee started looking for a new home. In 1969, after two years of looking, a parcel of land known as Victory Field was declared surplus by the City of Newton. Marrocco, Licarie, with the rest of the Land and Building Committee quickly met and prepared a proposal to buy Victory Field for a new Post and a community center. The general idea was to construct a building for as many segments of the City of Newton as possible and for maximum use. As plans were being drawn up for a potential new home it occurred to Roger Marroccco that although there were many fundraising projects for children with cerebral palsy, little was done for adults afflicted with the ailment. Therefore, he proposed a section of the new post for adults with cerebral palsy as well as other handicapped adults. The idea would be part of the final plans for an area dedicated to these adults. Of course Alan Licarie and the other committee members were immediately on board. In early 1969 the first of many meetings were held with various committees of the Newton Board of Aldermen. Marrocco and Licarie spent the next two years attending evening meetings at Newton City Hall, Post 440 and at kitchen tables, many times five nights a week. The Finance Committee of the Board of Aldermen was the first committee to which the original idea had to be sold to board members. The Blue Booklet, which received its name from Roger Marrocco, was presented to the board members showing the history of the Post, including future plans and and accomplishments, plus a floor plan of the proposed
building and the use of each room. The fall of 1969 was filled with many meetings between the Finance Committee of the Board of Aldermen, and the Land and Building Committee of Post 440. On January 29, 1970, the Finance Committee agreed on the sale, which set the vote to the full Board of Aldermen.
On February 2, 1970, the Newton Board of Aldermen took up the vote. The Post needed 16 votes out of 24 members. The count was 16 yea votes, 2 nays and 6 absent. It passed and the Board declared a portion of Victory Field as surplus and further authorized the Mayor of the City to sell the land to American Legion Nonantum Post 440, 83,790 square feet more or less for 25 cents per square foot. The dream of a new Post would now become a reality. But the job was not yet complete, many more meetings and late nights.
The next step was for the Land Use Committee of the Board of Aldermen to petition for proper zoning and necessary permissive use for the type of construction needed. The Committee produced an order by the Board of Aldermen by March 15, 1970, granting the zoning and permissive use.
Finally, on April 8, 1971, the deed for the sale of land to Post 440 was signed by The Honorable Monte G. Basbas, Mayor of Newton, Massachusetts. Now the building could begin. During the fall and winter of 1971-1972, plans were prepared and invitations to bid by contractors were sent out and received by the Committee. Newton Savings Bank in association with other banks approved a mortgage and American Legion Nonantum Post 440 entered into a contract with Hobbs Construction Co. of Canton to build the dream.
The groundbreaking for the Post was held in July of 1972. The Land and Building Committee continued its activities of various decisions and inspections during the construction period. At a cost of $1,000,000, the dream came true on April 15, 1973, The grand opening was held, the ribbon was cut and the flag raised on the grounds of the new American Legion Nonantum Post 440. The mammoth building was 100 feet by 160 feet and two stories high. One of a kind, no Legion Post ever built was anything like it.
Roger Marrocco, a stone mason and builder, designed Post 440 himself. In his plans was a large L-shaped room named the Garden City Activity Center for adults with cerebral palsy and other handicaps. In this center, opened five days a week, people with disabilities could go to do wood working, crafts, read and socialize. The kitchen in the center was designed for handicapped and people in wheelchairs to be able to make their own dinner or sandwich. There was also a handicap ramp to the entrance of the Center. This was ahead of its time as all public buildings today are mandated generally for specific needs. The Garden City Activity Center was staffed by the the United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Boston and given to them rent free for many years until they eventually moved on and an elderly drop-in center replaced the area. Alan Licarie, who was the Executive Secretary for Newton Elections for the Newton Election Commission, continued serving Post 440 as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The Post also had a full gymnasium for community use, though after some time, with less interest in the gym it was converted into another ballroom to create more revenue for the non profit, and of course the Post continued to sponsor sport teams as they had done for many years. Many other community groups had a home at the Post such as Alcoholics Anonymous and various other groups. At a later point, when other veterans groups had lost a place to meet, they were invited to Post 440 for their meetings and to enjoy the members lounge all rent free, no matter what organization. Veterans are all brothers and this was their mutual home.
The celebration was attended by the former Mayor who signed the agreement to sell the land at Victory Field to Post 440, Monte G. Basbas, now a Judge at the Newton District Court. Also in attendance was the newly elected Mayor, The Honorable Theodore D. Mann. Mayor Mann said of the new Post, “This is really a historic event in Newton. Look in back of me - - you see a building. How difficult it is to build things, how easy it is to destroy . . . You have chartered your course to help the aged, the afflicted, the disturbed, the veterans . . . There is no greater effort than the one you have taken.” Also in attendance was the National Commander for the American Legion, Joseph Matthews, who said it was the biggest and best Legion headquarters he had ever seen in his travels. He commended the Newton Post for their special attention to the community needs.
Indeed, Post 440 was the first Post throughout the country to cater to the citizens of their community like no other. When built it was the largest American Legion ever built in Massachusetts and likely anywhere in the world. The Post was also built for the average guy who couldn’t go to a high-end lounge but wanted to take his wife to a decent place.
In less than three years, on September 22, 1975, Post 440 signed a deed buying the remaining land of what was Victory Field for additional parking.
Since the founding of the new building, Post 440 has continued serving veterans and their community. The Auxiliary-Unit 440 has always supported the Post. In addition, the birth of the Sons of The American Legion-Squadron 440 has also supported the Post. Both these booster organizations demonstrate patriotism by honoring veterans, especially the fallen, fundraising and volunteering. They are both a great source in support of the mission of the American Legion and their community. We thank all the veterans, fundraisers and other volunteers who have helped to build our home here on California Street, but especially Post 440’s Land and Building Committee and, in a very special way, thank you Roger Marrocco and Alan Licarie.
God Bless America.
Gerry Marrocco
Member, Sons of The America Legion- Squadron 440.
April 19, 2026