Post 143 Carrollton, GA 30117, Georgia

Post 143

Carrollton, GA 30117, Georgia

Post 143 Carrollton, GA 30117, Georgia

About This Post

Post Namesake

Charles Carroll - It is altogether fitting that American Legion Post 143 in Carroll County, Georgia, is named for Charles Carroll, one of our country’s true patriots. He and 55 other men risked life, lands and fortunes by signing our country’s Declaration of Independence. Charles Carroll was a powerful voice for independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. He wrote articles in newspapers of the day under the pseudonym “First Citizen” and was an important figure in the burning of the ship “Peggy Stewart” which sat in Annapolis harbor with tea which could not be unloaded until a tax was paid. This act of rebellion became known as the Annapolis Tea Party. The state of Maryland continues to celebrate “Peggy Stewart” Day as a state holiday to commemorate the part the Annapolis Tea Party played in the American Revolution. Mr. Carroll served in the Continental Congress and was on the Board of War through much of the War of Independence while simultaneously helping to frame a constitution for Maryland. When he died in 1832 at the age of 95 he was the last surviving member of those who signed our Declaration of Independence.

Notable Members

Carroll Post 143 has been blessed with manynotable members. One of the more recent is Past Commander Don Levans who was presented the District Commander's Award as well as the 5th District Commander of the Year Award for his dedication to the American Legion and leadership of Post 143. In accepting the awards, Levans said,

"These two presentations highlight the outstanding involvement of the membership of Post 143 in the programs to which the Post is dedicated; The Four Pillars of the American Legion: Veterans Affairs, National Defense, Children & Youth and Americanism.
What Makes this Post Unique

Carroll Post 143 meets the third Thursday of each month at 6PM at the Carroll County Veterans Building. Carroll County recognizes that Post 143 is very strongly invested in the county and therefore provides the building at no charge. Carroll Post 143 has an outstanding reputation for community service as the Legionnaires carry out their work which is focused on the 4 pillars of American Legion Work; Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, National Security, Children & Youth and Americanism. The Post Honor Guard provides honors for veterans, marches in parades and participates in memorial commemorations. The Post Family (Post, Auxiliary and SAL) volunteers many hours in caring for veterans at Trinka Davis Veterans Village which is located in Carrollton. The Public Relations Chair writes a weekly column in the Carrollton Times Georgian Newspaper. Many Post 143 Officers also serve on the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park Executive Committee. The CCVMP is doing tremendous work to honor our KIA/MIA comrades and all other veterans. What Post 143 does not have is revenue generating operations such as a bar or Bingo. The post relies on membership dues and community grants for funds with which to provide service. Carroll Post 143 will celebrate its 80th anniversary this year. We will continue to make a difference through our programs based upon the four-pillars.

Photos

HISTORY

1910

Picture of Private James Casper Holland May 20, 1918

May 20, 1919
This is a picture of Private James Casper Holland who was the first WWI Carroll County casualty.
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Picture of Private James Casper Holland May 20, 1918
War Record of 1st WW1 Carroll County Casualty - May 21, 1918

War Record of 1st WW1 Carroll County Casualty - May 21, 1918

May 21, 1919
This card shows the war record of James Casper Holland, the first WWI Carroll County, Georgia casualty.
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1920

First Carroll County Casualty of World War I

Mar 31, 1921
James Casper Holland was the first World War I casualty from Carroll County, Georgia. Some research and genealogical study revealed that Private Holland was a 3rd cousin, twice removed of 2014-2015 Post 143 Commander Ronnie Pate.
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First Carroll County Casualty of World War I
Carroll Post 60 Organized

Carroll Post 60 Organized

Mar 28, 1928
In 1928 Carroll Post 60 was organized in Carrollton, Georgia. According to the first commander of Carroll Post 143 which was organized in 1935, the earlier Post 60 relinquished its charter due to "difficulties related to the depression."
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1930

Gunnery Sergeant John M. Spruill, United States Marine Corps

Feb 15, 1935

Gunnery Sergeant John M. Spruill served in the United States Marine Corps during WWI and was one of the original American Legion Post 143 members when the Post was chartered on March 19, 1935


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Gunnery Sergeant John M. Spruill, United States Marine Corps
Carroll Post 143 Organized

Carroll Post 143 Organized

Mar 3, 1935
Thirty veterans of "THE World War" assembled together in Carrollton, Georgia to establish an American Legion Post. This was, however, NOT the first American Legion activity in Carroll County. In addition to the earlier Post 60 which was established in 1928, the many newspaper articles between 1919 and 1935 show that veterans in Carroll County were very active in American Legion work even when they were without a local post.
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American Legion Carroll Post 143

Mar 19, 1935

On March 19, 1935, thirty veterans of WW I signed the charter establishing the American Legion Carroll Post 143, of the Department of Georgia. Since its creation, the post continues to be an active contributor to the veteran family, and the community.


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American Legion Carroll Post 143

American Legion Health Welfare Work to Start

Jul 25, 1935
Less than 4 months after being chartered, Carroll Post 143 led a county wide effort to provide a health care program which would find ways to correct health defects of under-privileged school children.
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1950

Georgia Legion to Have Role in '52 Freedom Crusade

Dec 4, 1952
Department of Georgia Commander J. Ben Warren of Monticello suggested the the 311 Georgia posts with a total of 53,500 members make post homes available for distribution of informational materials on the Crusade and that Legionnaires volunteer their services to the drive. The aim of the crusade was to raise funds for setting up powerful radio transmitters which would send messages of freedom to peoples behind the Iron Curtain.
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Carroll Post 143 Honored by National American Legion for Increased Membership

Jan 15, 1953
Carroll Post has, throughout its lifetime, been at the forefront of membership growth.
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POW Adams Returned From North Korea

Sep 9, 1953
Carroll Post 143 joined other organizations in preparing a welcome for Private John W. Adams who was released after his imprisonment in North Korea. Over 5,000 people overflowed Adamsson Square in downtown Carrollton to show their support for Private Adams. In addition to other gifts, the citizens of Carroll County presented Private Adams with a new Ford car.
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1980

Carroll Post 143 Chairmen

Jul 12, 1986
Americanism - Joseph E. Lackey Baseball - Harold E. Ray Boy Scouts - Ivison Windom Boys State - John R. (Bobby) Griffin Blood Donor - Gary Cobb Children & Youth - George Frank Ledbetter Community Service - Herbt. L. Barfield Education Awards - M.T. Fuller, Jr. Employment - Dan D. Wasserman Legislative - Dan D. Wasserman Medical Research - Irving DeGaris Nat'l Security & Civil Defense - David L. Coulon Oratorical - George Frank Ledbetter..
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Post 143 Accomplishments 1985-86

Aug 4, 1986
M.T. Fuller, Jr., Post Commander reported the following accomplishments for the preceding year. Conducted Oratorical Contest Sent 2 boys to Boys State Assisted Auxiliary to send 2 girls to Girls State Donated $50 to fund for members hospitalized at the VA Hospital Contributed $1,500 for American Legion Baseball Team Contributed $250 to Boy Scout Troop 413 at Clem to help procure tents Contributed $50 each to 2 needy Veterans' families while vets were hospitalized Paid..
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Veterans Day Observance

Nov 11, 1986
Welcome - M.T. Fuller, Jr. Invocation - Rev. Allan Howard, Pastor of Bethany Christian Church Introduce Commanders - M.T. Fuller, Jr., Post 143 American Legion; James Conner, Post 7404 VFW; Johnny Cheatwood, Commander of Chapter 57 DAV; Larry Rampley, Vice President of the Viet Nam Veterans Assn and Past Presidents Tom Johnson and Kenny Lanxton. Introduce WW1 Veterans The monument and the former eternal flame around which we hold this ceremony as a tribute to..
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Post 143 Officers 1988-89

Jul 10, 1988
Commander - M.T. Fuller, Jr. Sr Vice Commander - Edwin Sneed Johnson Jr Vice Commander - Lewis E. McCarty Jr Vice Commander - Ivison Windon Adjutant & Finance Officer - G. Frank Ledbetter Historian - Robert B. Jobson Chaplain & Service Officer - John R. Griffin Judge Advocate - Herbert L. Barfield Sgt-At-Arms - David L. Coulon
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1990

Post 143 Officers 1990-91

Jul 10, 1990
Commander - M.T. Fuller, Jr. Adjutant - G. Frank Ledbetter Sr Vice Commander - W. Henry Duke Jr Vice Commander - David L. Coulon Jr Vice Commander - James O. Hutcheson Judge Advocate - W. Leon Hightower Chaplain - John R. (Bobby) Griffin Assistant Chaplain - James Hutcheson Service Officer - J. Felton Brooks Finance Officer - G. Frank Ledbetter Historian - E. Snead Johnson Sgt-At-Arms - Lewis E. McCarty Assistant Sgt-At-Arms - Richard Jones
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2000

Duke Honored for Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park Inspiration

Jul 11, 2004
Henry and Nellie Duke were presented with a proclamation recognizing them for being "the inspiration and driving force behind the establishment and construction of the Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park.
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Duke Honored for Carroll County Veterans Memorial Park Inspiration

2010

Post 143 Honor Guard Leads Carroll County Parades

Post 143 Honor Guard Leads Carroll County Parades

Oct 10, 2010
Historically, Carroll Post 143 has provided the Honor Guard for the various parades in Carrollton and the surrounding towns in Carroll County.
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Post 143 Honor Guard Trains with Georgia National Guard Military Honors Detachment

Dec 10, 2010
Each year the Carroll Post 143 Honor Guard trains with the Military Honors Detachment of the Georgia National Guard.
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Post 143 Honor Guard Trains with Georgia National Guard Military Honors Detachment
Carroll Post 143 Has New Home

Carroll Post 143 Has New Home

Dec 12, 2013
In December of 2013, Carroll Post 143 moved into its new home, the Carroll County Veterans Building. This free meeting space is provided by Carroll County because of the many ways Post 143 supports Carroll County.
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