Honorary Life Member Brad Thompson, joined Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post 240 in 1946. He earned his American Legion membership by serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps (later became U.S. Air Force) during WWII.
Brad celebrated his 20th birthday at Camp Miles Standish in the State of Massachusetts where he embarked on what would become a three year tour of duty in Europe. He sailed on the TSS Scythia arriving in Greenock, Scotland where he boarded a train to Warrington, England. From Warrington he was trucked to Base Air Depot 1, where he remained until VE Day. Base Air Depot # 1 supplied all of the 8th Air Force and part of the 9th with new airplanes ready for combat and reworked or rebuilt damaged aircraft
With no more airplanes to repair, Brad was reassigned to Germany via France where he served as a military policeman until his departure on the Monticello for home in November 1945.The Monticello was an Italian liner that had been captured by the U. S. and refitted for a troop ship.
Brad celebrated his 91st birthday on August 2, 2014 and his 68th continuous years of American Legion membership. His many years of astute, loyal and dedicated leadership has left an indelible mark on Post 240 organization. In addition to Past Commander (1955), Brad has held every Post 240’s officer positions, some more than once.
His contributions and achievements while serving as an officer and member of Post 240 are many. One in particular deserves recognition because it assured the very survival and existence of Post 240 today.
Chartered in 1920, Post 240 occupied its new building at 801 E. Washington, Stephenville, Texas in 1940. For the next 50 years this building was the location of meetings and other activities. The building and membership during this time began to wear and collapse. The American Legion Department of Texas pulled the Post charter in 1989 and the building was falling down on itself. Brad Thompson was determined to save Post 240. His dedication, leadership and hard work brought the Post back from the brink of extinction. He led the effort to have Post 240 Charter restored and the effort to raise the money ($95,000) to renovate the old building.
Renovations completed in 1991, Post 240 and Auxiliary Unit 240 led by many devoted members, especially Brad Thompson, John Rogers and Joanna Lay, began a decade of glorious years. Membership soared into the 300’s and several members went on to serve at District, Division and Department levels. Not bad for little old Town of Stephenville with a population of less than 15,000
In 1992 Post 240 bestowed a long overdue HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP upon Brad Thompson. He was named Legionnaire of Year 2002 and in 2013 was honored to have the Large Hall at The Post named ‘THE BRAD THOMPSON MEETING ROOM’. The resolution and large portrait of Brad is prominently displayed behind Head table and Podium.
