In 1946, a group of determined and like-minded individuals set out to establish the American Legion Dorie Miller Post 194 & Auxiliary Unit in Arlington. Their courage to start a new post speaks volumes about who they were and the man the post honors.
The Arlington Historical Society welcomes Former Post Commander Kenneth Powell and Secretary of the Auxiliary, Marjorie Strother of this American Legion Post Auxiliary as they tell the story of how Dorie Miller’s heroic actions aboard the USS West Virginia on December 7, 1941 inspired African American veterans to establish a post honoring the Black Navy Messman even before the US military was desegregated in 1947.
In 2022, Arlington County proclaimed October 12, Dorie Miller Day. The proclamation reads in part:
“Arlington County recognizes the American Legion Dorie Miller Post 194 as an organization of veterans who have dedicated themselves to the service of community, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and our nation; and 
Whereas, American Legion Post 194 is named after Doris “Dorie” Miller, a U.S. Navy Messman aboard the USS West Virginia during World War II who selflessly and without any hesitation acted heroically during the attack on his vessel at Pearl Harbor in 1941, for which he was awarded the Navy Cross.”
Help us honor the man and the men and women of Post 194 as a prelude to Dorie Miller Day celebrated this year on October 13, 2025 at the Bozman Center (1-3 PM)
NEW LOCATION
AHS is trying out some new locations. This month we will be at the Aurora Hills Community Center located at 735 18th Street, South in Arlington, (zip code: 22202). Parking is still free. Free overflow parking is at the parking lot at Virginia Highlands Park (1600 South Hayes Street) connected by a short sidewalk. Pentagon City Metro is your best public transit bet.
ZOOM REGISTRATION
Zoom Registration: Please register for Zoom access by Wednesday, Oct 8. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfP4UD91sqrLLw5W9Rk6MOxPQn7qiTqiW8rP4AMZYJ_UE9rLA/viewform or cut and paste the link into your browser to complete your registration. On Thursday morning, October 9, the day of the event, AHS volunteer, Martin Suydam, will send you the Zoom registration information in an email, so be on the lookout for it.
