The Journal-Record - Bicentennial Edition Thursday, July 1, 1976 Section D, Page 11 GUIN AMERICAN LEGION ORGANIZED IN TWENTIES In the middle twenties, post 116 of the American Legion was organized in Guin, with J. M. WESLEY, post commander; D. C. HOLLOWAY, Adjutant; J. M. SMITH, finance officer; and J. M. McGUIRE, service offlicer(sic). During the years of organization, this post has participated in many worthwhile activities. It was with great pride that the organization administered aid to the crippled children served the disabled veterans, brought Christmas packages to the underprivileged at Yuletide, and many other worthy causes. Especially did the members see that no veterans or their families suffered from lack of material things, because at that time, there was no Community Wlfare(sic) Program to aid such people. In the early thirties, cash was scarce and the members of the Post paid their dues at the rate of three hens per member. Forty-six hens were sent to the Grenwood(sic) cafe and turned over to Arthur GREENWOOD for the Post dues. At that time, Arthur was one of the Legion officials for the State of Alabama. this(sic) activity made headlines throughout the state, and a picture of the event was sent to the leading papers for publication and also published in the National Legion Magazine. During World War II, many of the Veterans were called back to active duty and others were called to defense plants throughout the nation. This emergency rendered Post 116 inactive. In 1945, when World War II Veterans began to return, a new American Legion Charter was issued December 17, 1945, as Post 147, and the officials were Birvel WHITEHEAD, Post Commander; O. F. ALEXANDER, Adjutant; J. M. SMITH, finance officer; and L. F. (Dock) WRIGHT, Chaplain. These officials along with thirty-two others made up the qualified thirty-six to start Post 147 of Guin, into active duty. The Post immediately began its duties by processing many claims for widows and orphans of deceased veterans of World War I and II, helping many disables(sic) veterans to find security in life. It also played an important part in burial of our soldiers from the foreign battlefields. On July 4, 1946, the Post made the big kick-off by giving away a Hudson automobile which marked the beginning of the erection of a fine Legion Hall which is a memorial to the dead and an honor to the living. This building still stands in Guin, next to the City Hall.