HISTORY OF F.D. THOMPSON POST #521
1211 POWELL AVENUE
MONROE, LOUISIANA 71202
TIME WELL SPENT IN WORK REFLECTS SUCCESS
The first meeting of F.D. Thompson Post #521 was held
November 13, 1946 at the Tabernacle Baptist Church Monroe,
La.. Officers from L.B. Faulk Post were in~attendance. The
initial meetings resulted in choosing the name F.D.
Thompson. F.D. Thompson was a marine hero who lost his life
in the South Pacific. He had resided at 1111 Breard Street,.
Monroe, Louisiana. Survived by three sisters--Mrs. Martha
Caston and Mrs. Elvonia Haynes of Monroe and Mrs. Margaret
Thompson of Oakland, California plus one brother, Mr. Leon
Chew of Chicago, Illinois. Installation of officers by
officers from L.B. Faulk Post #13. Their officers who
conducted this ceremony were Sam Archard, Bert Root, Sam
Rubin, and Judge Advocate Paul Fink. The first officers for
Post #521 were I.B. January, Commander, Herbert B. Sherman,
First Vice Commander, Nayman Shelbon, Second Vice Commander,
Moses L. Potter, Adjuant, John Lincoln, Jr., Chaplin, Avery
C. Lewis, Sgt. at Arms, S.L. Riley, Finance Officer, Clem
Toston, Jr., and George Flintroy, Historians and E.V.
Carmichael, Publicity.
The Post was temporarily chartered December 9, 1946.
Charter members were Ulysses Pierce, William D. Hunter,
Moses L. Potter,Avery C. Lewis, P.E. Pierce, Walto Waldo,
Clem Toston, John Lincoln, Jr., S.L. Riley, E.L. Freeman,
J.H. Robinson, Edgar Adams, William L. Johnson, Ibra B.
January, Eugene Flintroy, Namon Shelbon and Herbert B.
Sherman.
Listed below are past commanders, years served, and progress
made under each administration.
IBRA B. JANUARY: 1947-1949
This administration set up the American Legion High School
Awards Program in Monroe City and Ouachita Parish Schools.
It also assLst ed with the development and implementation of
the Bayou Boys State Program held at Southern University
each year. This administration moved from Tabernacle
Baptist Church to Miller's Funeral Home at 1008 Washington
Street and from there to Monroe Colored High School on
Breard Street. Mr. January died December 25, 1987
GEORGE FLENTROY: 1949-1951
Commander Flentroy was appointed procurement chairman for
Bayou Boys State and for the American Legion High School
Awards Program for the city of Monroe and Ouachita Parish
schools. Commander Flentroy kept the annual membership
growing. He died in the 1970's.
LEE A. LOWE: 1951-1953
This administration moved our meeting place to tenth and
DeSiard streets over Pierce's Drug Store. Meetings were
held twice a month at 3 P.M .. Commander Lowe was a Baptist
minister. He made sure all programs of the Post were
carried out to the letter. He moved the Post to Jones Bar-
B-Que. Commander Lowe died in the 1970's.
EDGAR ADAMS: 1953-1955
Under this administration the current site of Post #521 was
purchased from the Ouachita Parish School Board. The
building was auctioned off to the highest bidder. The
highest bidder was from Calhoun, La .. However, after
learning that the building was to be used for the American
Legion, the highest bidder recended his bid. Commander
Adams thus was able to purchase the building for $875.00.
The next week, Commander Adams purchased 9 lots, a portion
of which the current building is located, for $4000.00.
Payment~ were made in the amount of $40.00 per month with
double payments some months until the note was paid in full.
Troop #111 of the Boy Scouts of America was set up under
this administration.
OSCAR L. SCOTT: 1955-1957
This administration worked untiringly on keeping the
programs going. Bar-B-Que was sold by this administration
in order to meet the expenses of the Post. Mr. Scott died
in 1983.
ALFRED BAILEY: 1957-1959
This administration followed the American Legion's Programs
to the letter. Commander Bailey died February 23, 1991.
McGLOTHER THOMPSON: 1959-1961
This administration kept the American Legion Post on
schedule with all of its programs. Commander Thompson died
February 8, 1974.
MOSE FLENTROY: 1961-1963
Under this administration, F.D. Thompson Post #521 on June
7, 1963 was incorporated. The objects of this corporation
shall be to teach and cultivate patriotism and loyalty to
the United States of America--among all veterans, who have
served in the armed forces of the United States. All of the
management of the affairs of this corporation were
administered by the Board of Trustees. The first Board
consisted of the following members; Mose Flentroy,
Commander; Samuel Bridges, First Vice Commartder; Nathaniel
Johnson, Second Vice Commander; Robert L. Britton, Adjuantj
Edgar Adams, Finance Officer; Robert J. Square, Service
Officer; and Isaac C. McNeal, Child Welfare Officer. Much
work was done with Troop #111 of the Boy Scouts of America.
Under this administration, $4000.00 was borrowed from the
Peoples Homestead and Loan Association for building
improvements. This loan was paid off as noted in property
deed.
JESSE W. MOORE: 1963-1965
This administration carried out all programs of the Post and
made sure all officers did their jobs properly. It worked
with Troup #111 of the Boy Scouts of America.
SAMUEL BRIDGES: 1965-1967
This administration worked very hard on keeping the Post
Programs "moving according to schedule. By doing so, this
administration was very successful. Commander Bridges died
November 13, 1988.
ROY MOY: 1968-1969
This administration worked hard on all programs and served
one term.
a.c. ELLIOTT: 1969-1970
This administration worked hard on weekends selling dinners
in order to meet the notes at the end of the month. They
carried out all programs for the year.
SAM HAYNES: 1970-1971
This administration worked hard on the High School Awards
Program.
NATHANIEL MURPHY: 1971-1973
Commander Murphy's second time around as commander was
outstanding. He died August 5, 1986
ALFRED BAILEY: 1973-1975
Under Commander Bailey's second term, the last note on the
property was paid off. He died February 23, 1991. Filed in
the Clerk of Court office April 17, 1973.
