Post 160 History

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 night at 7:30.

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.

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 Post 160 can always be counted on to support any cause that is worthwhile.

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 group of World War I veterans, the Post itself might not even exit today. Ernest Jones was Temporary Commander 1941-1942; First Commander 1942-1943; and Commander 1943-1944.

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

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.

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 - Ernest Jones
• Senior Vice Commander - Gordon M. Fowler
• Junior Vice Commander - Roberdeau P. George
• Adjutant - J.C. Johnson
• Finance Officer - M.L. Collins
• Historian - E.W.Chastain
• Sgt-at-Arms - R.D. Johnson
• Chaplain - T.W. Hufstutler
• Service Officer - Jimmie Pierce
• Publicity Officer - A.H. Carson
• Commander SOTAL (Sons of the American Legion) - C.L. Deal

The first staff of officers were installed by Grover Fennell, who has with one or two exceptions, installed every staff of officers up until 1955.

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 school on the G.I. Bill, get better jobs, buy houses in the suburbs and raise families. Foe every dollar spent on educating veterans, the U.S. economy eventually gets $7 back.

Note: The original hand-written copy is in The American Legion Museum in Indianapolis, IN.

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. The Fish Fry committee as named in the minutes consisted of Zelan Wills, M.J. Thompson, Jimmie Pierce, Ernest Jones, and J.T.Gardner.

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 the Post.

The move to build a Post home accelerated, and in October 1946 a committee was formed to arrange the raffle of an automobile. The car was raffled off on December 23,1946, and the post realized a profit of $3,987.00 on the raffle.

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 the 4th of July. A BBQ, Car Raffle, Beauty Contest and Open-Air Dance on the sub-floor of the partially built Post Home were planned for the big day. The car was won by Ham Dabney, who announced on the spot that he would sell the car to the highest bidder, and would donate any money over %1,500 to the Building Fund. The car auctioned off for $2,100.00 and Ham donated $600 to Post 160

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 on the 15th day of January 1947 and ending on the 14th day of

January 2046, for the sum of one ($1.00) dollar, with an option to renew the lease for another 99 years.

This agreement made and entered into this 11th day of January 1947, between THE CITY OF SMYRNA, of the first part, and C.P. Dorris, R.M. Reed, and James Presley as Trustees of AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 160, SMYRNA, GA and their successors in office of the second part both of said county...

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 held in the new Post home.

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 no furnace and the fireplaces, at each end of the building were the only sources of heat, which required us to build fires in the early afternoon, and keep them going until dance time. Of course this meant that the House Committee had to devote just about their entire Saturdays, to prepare for the dances.

It must be emphasized at this point the Auxiliary, having assumed the responsibility of equipping the kitchen, was working vigorously to finance and carry out their project. The very practical and much used upstairs kitchen is the product of their efforts and excellent planning.