Post 160 Smyrna, Georgia

Post 160

Smyrna, Georgia

Post 160 Smyrna, Georgia

About This Post

Notable Members

CHARLES W. BARRETT - Department of Georgia Commander 2003-2004, National Vice Commander 2004-2005, and Post Commander 2009-2010. He had been Department of Georgia Junior Vice Commander in 1982-1983, 2002-2003, and 1999-2001. He was Fifth District Commander 1996-1997. He passed in ... READ MORE

Photos

HISTORY

1940

First Meeting of Record

Nov 14, 1941
The first meeting, of which there is a record, was held on November 14, 1941 at the Methodist Church. There were eight veterans in attendance. Ernest Jones was acting as Commander, J.C. Johnson as Adjutant, and Jack Hufstutler as Chaplain. According to the minutes, the only business transacted was a decision to buy the Adjutant a record and minute book. The hat was passed and $1.45 was collected. It was decided to meet every Friday..
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First Executive Board Meeting

Nov 30, 1941
The first meeting of the Executive Board was held on November 30, 1941 for the purpose of drawing up the Constitution and Bylaws. These were adopted by the Post and were used to obtain the temporary charter.
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First Record of Community Service

Dec 1, 1941
The first record of community service was the appointment of Gordon Fowler to work with committees of other local organizations on the "Empty Stocking Fund", and the Post subsequently donated $5.00 to this fund. This donation is noteworthy considering the fact that donations at the meeting ranged from $0.70 to $1.45. Much more significant however is that this donation set a precedence which has not been broken to this day. Members of the American Legion..
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Temporary Officers Installed

Temporary Officers Installed

Dec 15, 1941
The temporary Commander Ernest Jones, temporary Adjutant J.C. Johnson, and temporary Chaplain Jack Hufstutler were installed on December 15, 1941 and held office until the first staff of officers were elected under the charter and were installed on January 21, 1942. Much tribute can be paid to the officers and workers of any particular year, but it must always be remembered that if it had not been for the enthusiasm and efforts of this small..
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Post Charter Membership

Jun 20, 1942
LEGION CHARTER MEMBERS Ernest Jones - Commander; Gordon Fowler - Vice Commander; Roberdeau George - Jr. Vice Commander; J.C. Johnson - Adjutant; M.L. Collins - Finance Officer; R.D. Johnson - Sergeant-at-Arms; Emory W. Chastain - Historian; T.W. Hufstutler - Chaplain; James L. Pierce - Service Officer; C.L. Deal; F.B. Wilkie; D.C. Landers; W.A. Hammond; Albert E. Brawner; E.E. Skelton; T.P. Dowda; J.T. Garner; E.J. Moon; A.H.Carson; J.T. Jackson
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Post Charter Membership
Post Rally for War Bonds Raises $21,000

Post Rally for War Bonds Raises $21,000

Apr 1, 1943
By April 1943 the Post had donated $150.00 to the Boy Scouts, $150.00 to the Smyrna School and had $150.00 in the Treasury. One of the Outstanding Activities of 1943, was a rally to sponsor the sale of "War Bonds". Over $21,000 worth of war bonds were either purchased or pledged at this rally.
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Staff Officers Elected May 1943

May 27, 1943
At the election of officers on May 24, 1943 in Clayton's Service Station the post re-elected Ernest Jones as Commander for the coming year and was given authority to re-adjust the other officers as he saw fit. No record is available as to exactly who held each office in 1943-1944, but for the most part the staff was approximately the same as for the previous year. THE STAFF OF OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1942-1943 Commander..
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National Commander of American Legion Drafts GI Bill

National Commander of American Legion Drafts GI Bill

Dec 15, 1943
Past American Legion National Commander Harry W. Colmery starts to write in longhand, on Mayflower Hotel stationary in Washington, the first draft of what will later become the "GI Bill of Rights" - considered the Legion's single greatest achievement. On June 22, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs into law the original GI Bill, or Servicemen's Readjustment Act, ushering in monumental changes in U.S. Society. Higher education becomes democratized after 8 million veterans go to..
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First Building Committee Appointed by Commander Fowler

Nov 21, 1944
At the meeting of November 21, 1944, the first building committee was appointed by Commander Fowler. The committee was instructed to "draw up plans and get cost of building". It is doubtful that Gordon Fowler or members of that committee ever envisioned anything as magnificent as the Post home at that time. At the same meeting, a Fish Fry was planned for December 8, 1944, to start the fund raising campaign for the building program...
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Congress Allows World War II Veterans to Join American Legion

Jan 1, 1946
During the 1945-1946 Legion Year it soon became obvious to the membership that in the very near future literally hundreds of WWII veterans would be returning to the Smyrna area. These veterans had, by an Act of Congress become eligible for membership in the American Legion. The existing membership of Post 160 was made up almost exclusively of WWI veterans, and they felt a responsibility toward the younger WWII veterans, and invited them to join..
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Post Raffles Car to Raise Building Funds

Dec 23, 1946
The move to build a Post Home accelerated, and in October 1946, a committee was formed to arrange for the raffle of an Automobile. The car was raffled off on December 23, 1946, and the Post realized a profit of $3,987.00. Fish Frys and BBQs were also held in the early part of 1947 to raise money for the building fund.Contributions by local citizens and businesses enabled the Legion to plan a big day for..
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Lease on Original Post Home

Lease on Original Post Home

Jan 15, 1947
On January 7, 1947, arrangements were made to acquire the property on which the Post Home now stands. This property, (about 210 feet by 450 feet) belonged to Miss Mary Derinda Martin, who deeded it to the City of Smyrna, with the understanding that the City would lease a portion of the property, (about 200 feet by 210 feet) to the American Legion for a period of 99 years, under warranty deed no. 183, commencing..
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First Meeting Held In New Post Home

Nov 4, 1947
The minutes of the October 21, 1947 meeting reported on the progress of the building and were believed to be the last meeting held in the Office of the Justice of the Peace, on West Spring Street, and showed the roof was on, and materials for the windows, flooring, and chimneys were being installed. The late Harry Mitchell presided over the historic meeting of November 4th, 1947, which is believed to be the first meeting..
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Building Fund Plans 4th of July Celebration

Mar 2, 1948
At the March 2, 1948 meeting, a Committee was appointed to begin making plans for the 4th of July Celebration. At each succeeding meeting, plans were discussed for the big day, and it was decided to raffle off a Freezer, Gas Range, and Washing Machine, with all the proceeds being donated to the Building Fund. By this time, regular dances were being held in the building, even though it was not fully completed. There was..
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Trustees Loan Agreement

Mar 5, 1948
By January 1948, the basement floor had been poured and the doors and windows installed in the downstairs area. However, the building fund was depleted, and all work had been suspended. It was estimated that $11,000.00 would be required to complete all remaining work, which then turned out to be $1,500.00 below our needs. Again, Ham Dabney came to the resuce and granted an interest free loan to the Legion. In February 1948, the Post..
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Trustees Loan Agreement

Building Was Essentially Completed

Jun 1, 1948
By June 1948, the building was essentially complete, although there were many finishing touches still to be done, and all of the equipment and furnishings had to be acquired. The only equipment the post had prior to June 1948 was a used drink box, several surplus government tables, a Juke Box donated by B.F. Reed and a piano, loaned by Mrs. Lorena Pruitt, who incidentally, was the first woman mayor of Smyrna. At the June..
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Post Supports All Worthwhile Projects in the Community

Jul 1, 1948
During the 1948-1949 Legion year, the Post contributed $150.00 to the Grace Sloan Community Lecture Fund, $490.00 for the completion of the Tennis Courts at Brinkley Park, and $300.00 for the American Legion Junior Baseball Team. Later another $200.00 was donated to erect a fence around the Tennis Courts. In addition, Grand Stand Seats were constructed. Bases and equipment for maintaining the Tennis Courts and Ball fields were purchased. All of this was paid for..
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Mortgage Note Paid in Full

Mortgage Note Paid in Full

Dec 20, 1949
In the December 20, 1949 meeting, Finance Officer Butch Holahan reported that the Mortgage had been paid in full. Plans were discussed for a "dinner party" to celebrate the "burning of the mortgage" and to dedicate the new monument erected in front of the flagpole. The building addition was also discussed.
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1950

Awarded Edgar Dunlap Trophy - Most Outstanding Post in the State

Jun 25, 1950
Due to Post's involvement with various activities, it is not surprising that the Post was honored at the State Convention in 1950, with the highest award presented by the state, the Edgar Dunlap Trophy, awarded each year to the most outstanding Post in the State.
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Commander Appoints Committee to Study Possibility of Building Addition

Jul 18, 1950
AT the first meeting in 1950, Commander Holahan appointed a Committee to continue studying the possibility of a building addition to accommodate our increasing membership. It was also decided to restrict all but essential expenditures, and put all monies in the building fund. In September 1950, bids were taken for the addition, however the bids were excessively high, and it was decided to postpone the building addition. Also the Korean Conflict made steel and other..
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