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Our Legacy
SULLIVAN-WALLEN POST #11
History
The story of Sullivan‑Wallen American Legion Post 11 in Green Bay begins in the aftermath of World War I. Officially chartered in July 1919 as “Sullivan Post,” the organization honored Francis Sullivan, a local man who made the ultimate sacrifice in France during WWI. From its earliest days, the post prioritized support for veterans, patriotic remembrance, and community service—values that would shape its identity for generations.
In 1946, the post voted to add the name of Marine Pfc. Earl Wallen to its charter, becoming Sullivan‑Wallen Post 11. Wallen, a Pensaukee native who died heroically aboard the USS California during the Pearl Harbor attack, became a defining symbol of sacrifice and courage. His bravery—volunteering to man a machine gun under heavy fire in the ship’s crow’s nest—is memorialized on Post 11’s walls alongside photos and Packers stock certificates. This dual homage to both WWI and WWII heroes underscores the post's deep roots in local military history.
A unique legacy binds Sullivan‑Wallen Post 11 to the Green Bay Packers, beginning in the 1920s. Originally named beneficiary if the team ever relocated or was sold, the post also staffed Packers games, handling concessions, parking, and security. Since the 1940s, Post 11 has had the distinctive honor of serving as the Packers’ permanent color guard, presenting the American flag at every home game under the national anthem—a presence that remains deeply meaningful to both players and fans.
Today, Sullivan‑Wallen Post 11 is a vibrant veterans’ hub with more than 600 members, offering memorial ceremonies and youth programs such as baseball, marksmanship training, Boys State sponsorship, and community events like brat fests and Booyah fundraisers. Each Memorial Day, the post lays wreaths and honors its namesake Francis Sullivan and other fallen comrades in ceremonies held at Allouez Catholic Cemetery. Celebrating its centennial in 2019, Sullivan‑Wallen continues to forge a living bridge between past and present, championing service, remembrance, and community pride.
