THE HISTORY OF THE
AMERICAN LEGION POST 197

A group of twenty officers who served in the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in France during World War I is credited with founding The American Legion. AEF Headquarters asked the officers to suggest ideas on how to improve troop morale. One officer, Lt Col Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. proposed an organization of veterans. In February 1919, the group formed a temporary committee and selected several hundred officers who had the confidence and respect of the whole army.

About 1,000 officers and enlisted men attended the Paris Caucus in March 1919. They adopted a temporary constitution and the name, “The American Legion”. The group also elected an executive committee to complete the organization’s work. It considered each soldier of the AEF a member of the Legion. The executive committee named a subcommittee to organize veterans at home in the United States.

 

Two months later, in May 1919, the Legion held a second organizing caucus in St. Louis. It completed the constitution and made plans for a permanent organization, setting up a temporary headquarters in New York City and beginning its relief, employment and Americanism programs.

Congress granted The American Legion a national charter in September 1919. The first national convention convened in Minneapolis, adopting a permanent constitution and electing officers to head the organization.

Twenty-seven years after the founding of The American Legion, the first meeting of the American Legion Post 197 of Pike County was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Girtman on May 2, 1946. It was attended by a large number of veterans of both World Wars. Mr. Girtman was the primary force behind the organization of The American Legion Post.

The following officers were elected:

 

• Commander, S.G. Holmes

• Senior Vice-Commander, W.E. Girtman

• Junior Vice-Commander, Jack Sharpe

• Sgt-at-Arms, Gordon Young

• Adjutant, Albert Presley.
   

The Building Committee was composed of W.E. Girtman, C. Richter Smith Jr., Pete Lee, Lanier Johnson, and Pete Bankston. Those named on the Publicity Committee were Roger Strickland Jr., Nathan Harrison, Hugh White, and Hope White.

 

On October 7, 1948, it was reported in the Pike County Journal Reporter that the Veteran Training Class, led by the instructor, Sam Lifsey started the campaign for funds to erect a memorial on the courthouse square in Zebulon for the veterans who lost their lives in World Wars I and II. The following resolution had been submitted to the people of Pike County: “Resolved that a memorial for the veterans of both World Wars I and II, who lost their lives in the service of their country, Be subscribed to and erected on the court house square in Zebulon. It will take the concentrated efforts of all religious and civic organizations, as well as each individual. This resolution is submitted this 23rd day of September, 1948 by the 3rd Veterans Agriculture Class of Pike County. W.S Lifsey Jr., Instructor”

As recorded in the Pike County Journal Reporter, the Pike County Veteran’s Monument commemorating the men who lost their lives in both World Wars I and II was dedicated at an impressive exercise on Sunday afternoon, April 24, 1949. The public was invited, and approximately 300 persons including families of the departed heroes, friends and Legionnaires from Griffin and surrounding communities attended. The program began at 2:30 p.m. with a concert by the 326 th Army Band. American Legion Post Commander, Warren E. Girtman introduced Hon. John Goddard of Griffin, who in turn introduced the guest speaker, Rev. Marshall Ellis, Rector of St George’s Church, Griffin and a former Navy Chaplain. Rev. Ellis, in his dedicatory address, paid worthy tribute to those who gave their lives in World Wars I and II. He said, “They laid down their lives and were ushered into Eternal life. They now live with God.” Following the address, the Army Band played Onward Christian Soldiers. Rev. S.A. Dailey pronounced the benediction, after which Taps was sounded. The monument bears the inscription “Dedicated to The Everlasting memory of those from Pike County who gave their lives in the service of their country in World Wars I and II."

Names on the monument include:

•  World War I: A.R Ballard, H.K. Davis, L.R. Davis, L.M. Hooten, J.G. McLendon, H.A. O’Neal, S.S, Self, L.G. Sullivan, and P.M Sullivan.

•  World War II: C.L. Adams, M.R. Adkerson, R.E. Bishop, G.H. Blankenship, M.R. Carter, J.E. Corley, F.T. Davis, T.C. Gooden, J.C. Hackney, W.F. Harrison Jr., C. Johnson, C.M. Lane, D.E. Ledford, L.T. Marshall, A.L. Marshall, J.M. Matthews, P.L. McLendon, V.L. Middlebrooks, R.E. Oxford, E.E. Presley, W.T. Presley, H.L. Pike, T.J. Sandefur, M.B. Smoot, P.R. Storey, C.H. Tidwell. Colored: E.R. Parks.

 

Since WWII, E. Coggin and J.C. Alexander were added Killed in Action from the Korean War; and J.T. Harris, G.R. McQuaig (correct spelling is McCuaig), and L.L. Silver were added Killed in Action from the Vietnam War. The letters Korea and
Vietnam Wars were added to the Monument Dedication.

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Charter members of the Post as of June 21, 1950, were: Emory F. Alexander, Pope Banks, James Hartford Bankston, Abram S. Burton, P.W. Carter, R.C. Crawford, Thomas E. Crawford, Owen Caldwell, Roger Dunn, Lamar Dunn, Byron Dunn, Marvin E. Eppinger, Sam D. English, W.E. Girtman, Dr. M.M. Head, J.N. Howard, Clarence Hawkins, Charles F. Harden, Robert Holmes, Shi Holmes, R.C. Johnson, Walt Joyner, Spencer Lifsey, J.M. Means, Hulon A. McKinley, James E. Manoe, Charles J. Minter, Hubert Marshall, John A. Osbolt, John R. Oden, Albert D. Presley, A.W. Quattlebaum, W.S. Rogers, Leland B. Reaves, C.R. Smith, Sr., Paul Scoggins, Cecil Thornton, Aaron Terrell, Robert A. Trawick, Earl Williams, High White, Aurelius F. Woolsey, Gordon Young, Harry A. Hammock, and Marvin E. Gibson.

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The Post was one of the most active in the State for a community of Pike County’s size, having 159 members. Commanders and Adjutants have been: C.F. Harden and J.N. Howard, 1950-51; Clarence Hawkins and J.N. Howard, 1951-52; A.P. Dunn and Lamar Dunn, 1952-53; Emory Alexander and W.T. Baxter, 1953-54; Frank Yeager and Howard Rawlins, 1954-55; James Murphy and Howard Rawlins, 1955-56; Roger Dunn, 1956-57; W.T. Baxter, 1957-58; W.T. Baxter and Harry Rawlins, 1958-59; --- Harry Rawlins and Johnny Knight, 1964-65; Harry Rawlins and Marvin Littleton, 1965-66; Harry Rawlins and Milton Ross, 1966-67; Johnny Knight and Milton Ross, 1967-68; Harry Rawlins and Milton Ross, 1968-69; W.T. Baxter and Milton Ross (Lamar Dunn–Senior Vice Cdr), 1969-70; Terrell Williams and Marvin Littleton, 1970-71; and William Tl Baxter and K.N. Lupo, 1971-72.

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On 3 March 1966 the American Legion, Post 197 hosted the annual 6 th District Oratorical Contest at the Pike County High School. All essays were prepared from the Articles of the Constitution.

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On 26 March 1969, the Pike County American Legion Post 197 met in celebration of the 50 th Anniversary of the organization. Special guests included the 6th District Commander and Vice Commander as well as members from other local posts.

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The 1972 Members of Post 197 were:

Harold Adkerson                                    Emory F. Alexander                                    Glenn H. Allen

John B. Armstead                                  James L. Ballard                                         M.D. Ballard

Cadesman P. Banks                               Harry L. Banks                                           J.H. Bankston

William G. Barker                                    Marcus G. Barnett                                     William T. Baxter

Johnnie V. Barnett                                   Larry C. Berry                                            Charles E. Booker

Wayne O. Brasiel                                    Russell Brazier                                           Vernon H. Birchman

Horance Bond                                        Lawrence E. Brock                                     Virgil L. Brown

James M. Burden                                   Wilson W. Bush                                           Charles Calewell

Jack C. Clark                                          Clayton A. Coker                                        Robert R. Collins

Dennis H. Connell                                   Gloyd C. Cooper                                        R.D. Crawford

James G. Crayton                                   Douglas F. Culbreth                                    Elwood L. Culbreth

Clinton B. Davis                                       Marion W. Dumas                                       A.P. Dunn

Lamar E. Dunn                                        Joseph E. Edwards                                    William J. Edwards

James R. Elliott                                        Wilbur C. Elliott                                          John E. English

Samuel D. English                                   Glenn A. Eppinger                                     Olin Garner

Roosevelt T. Gayton                                Jack M. Goldman                                       William R. Goldman

Marion Gooden                                        David K. Greene                                        Harry A. Hammond

Merrill G. Hammock                                 Adron Harden                                            Charles F. Harden

Wintor H. Harden                                     R.C. Hawkins                                             Robert Holmes, Jr.

Shi G. Holmes                                          P.G. Horne                                                 Dexter T. Huckaby

Bobby L. Hudgen                                    Hollis J. Hutchinson                                   Howard M. Jennings

W.D. Jimerson                                         James F. Johnson                                       Lanier F. Johnson

Jack F. Jones                                           William K. Jones                                         Frank M. King

George E. King                                        Charlie J. Knight                                        Charles R. Lamb

Paul W. Landers                                       Jim B. Lawrence                                        James M. Littleton

Marvin Littleton                                         John D. Lowe                                            Kendall H. Lupo

Howard H. Maddox                                  Douglas Mangham                                    Walton E. Mangham

Byron W. Marshall                                     William D. Martin                                       Donald McCollough

Ralph C. McDonald                                   Elijah F. McKinley                                      Robert F. McKinley

Eddie G. Messer                                       Roger M. Middlebrooks                             Alvin L. Milby

Grant B. Montrose                                     William A. Morris                                       James C. Murphy

Michael Nahrebeck                                   Dewey Nicholson                                      Willie C. Nixon

Virgil M. Oliver                                           John A. Osbolt                                          John M. Parks

James A. Parks                                         Pete Peterman                                           D.L Pitts

Merril G. Pitts                                            Ronald C. Presley                                      Randall J. Pryor

Ralph Purvis                                              Warren W. Quigley                                     D.B. Rawlins

Howard M. Rawlins                                   Harry B. Rawlins                                        James P. Rawlins

Robert H. Rawlins, Jr.                               Robert H. Rawlins                                      Grady Reeves

J.M. Reeves                                              Joe C. Reid                                                Robert M. Reid

J. Astor Riggins                                         William M. Riggins                                     W.S. Rodgers

Jerry O. Rogers                                         Milton E. Ross                                            J.B. Sandifur

Albert L. Sanvidge                                     Victor C. Sanvidge                                    Paul Scroggins

David M. Smith                                          J.B. Smith                                                  T.R. Smith

W.L. Smith                                                 Gerald D. Spinks                                       Wilburn R. Statham

Alvin F. Stratham                                        J.M. Sullivan                                             Wilbur O. Tapley

William Taunton                                         James M. Towery                                      William H. Trawick

B.F. Turner                                                 Wendell F. Turner                                      A.J. Vickers

Jack L. Walker                                           Garris Wall                                                Kenneth Q. Ward

Lawrence R. Webb, Sr.                              Donald C. Wells                                       Charles C. Whatley

Charles D. Whatley                                    Hoyt H. Williams                                       James F. Williams

James T. Williams                                       Ralph C. Williams                                     T.H. Williams

Terrell J. Williams                                        Robert H. Wright                                      Frank Al Yeager

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In 1974, there was a fire that burnt down the Post facility.  In 1975, a new structure was built by the Rawlin’s family for Post 197 use.  The Post 197 Charter was revoked in 1994, and the facility was granted back to the Rawlin’s family.

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On 10 May 2008, a group of veterans met on the Court House Square led by Don Bailey and Howard Rawlins with the objective of refurbishing the Veteran’s Monument that was structurally cracking due to the heavy traffic moving south on Highway US19/GA3.  On 19 July 2008, a second meeting of a group of veterans met on the Courthouse Square led again by Don Bailey with the objective of continued discussion on the refurbishment of the Veteran’s Monument and the reestablishment of the old American Legion Post 197.  On 13 September 2008, the Veterans met as The American Legion at the Joel Edwards Library in Zebulon.  The objectives of the meeting were selecting officers (see Appendix C), reestablishing the charter, discussing the refurbishment of the Veterans Monument, and increasing membership.  The Post was allowed to regain its former number of 197.  The Post received its Dispensation/Temporary Charter on 9 March 2009 and its Permanent Charter on 28 July 2009.  

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The official temporary charter members; those that were national at large American Legion members or from some other post members were:

Harold Adkerson                                    Emory F. Alexander                                    Glenn H. Allen

Emory F. Alexander                                Donald Bailey, Jr.                                       George E Bottoms, Jr.

Russell Brazier                                       John B. Halcomb, Jr.                                  Robert L. Huckaby

Billy L. McClanahan                               Oscar Purvis                                               Howard M. Rawlins, Sr.

W. Shelor Rodgers                                 Gerald L. Spinks                                         William W. Thomas

Steven T. Yerkes

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On 11 March 2009, American Legion Post 197 Senior Executive Committee Member, Bryan Richardson appeared before the Pike County Board of Commissioners to address the plan to refurbish the Monument and to obtain the Board’s approval.  In addition to the structural refurbishment of the monument, permanent lighting

was to be added for night illumination of the National, State, and POW/MIA flags, lamp post

for illumination of the memorial at night, and landscaping around the monument.  The Board

of Commissioners unanimously approved the restoration.  The restoration project was under

the direction of Post 197 Veterans Howard Rawlins and Gerald Spinks.  The monument

restoration sponsors were Clark Memorials, Country Corbin’s, Moody’s Funeral Home,

Southern Rivers Energy, and the Zebulon Public Works Department.  Work to refurbish the

Veteran’s Memorial began early November 2010 and was completed in January 2011. 

As part of the restoration, the name J.D. Walker who was killed-in-action in Iraq was added

to the monument.  The Pike County Veteran’s Memorial was rededicated as part of the Pike

County Memorial Day Observance Program on 28 May 2011.  During this program, J.D.

Walker was honored as the newest addition.

 

After three years of hard work by many people in the Post and community, the Pike County American Legion Post 197 officially returned on 5 October 2011 as renters of the Rawlin’s family to the facility/”Home” it had occupied back in 1994 at 645 Meansville Street, Zebulon, Georgia.  The Post members had been meeting at the Joel Edwards Library in Zebulon since September 2008.  The grand opening was sponsored by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon cutting ceremony.  Post Commander Billy Payton, Sr. welcomed visitors and members to the facility for the first time.  4th District Commander, Jim O’Brien was the guest speaker.  The facility belonged to Howard M. Rawlins, Sr. a long standing American Legion Post 197 member.  During a 12 November 2012 ceremony that included the Rawlins family, the facility was named the Howard M. Rawlins Sr. Memorial Hall in honor of Mr. Rawlins’s passing on 14 August 2012.

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On 12 June 2013, The American Legion Post 197 received approval to become incorporated for the purpose of protecting individual members from liability in the event of litigation against the Post and received its Supplemental Charter. The decree was signed by the National Commander, James E. Koutz and the Georgia Department Commander, William H. Lienhop, Jr.

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On 28 September 2013, the Pike County School Board officially dedicated the Memorial Annex Building of the old middle school to be used as the Pike County Memorial Annex Building to be used as a general memorial for all those in Pike County who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving the community.  This includes military, first responders, and sheriff/police departments.  The intent is for the building to house memorials for all of the community’s fallen heroes.  Since this date, the Pike County American Legion has inducted:

• LCPL Jeffery D. Walker - Iraq Killed in Action (28 Sep 2013)

• 1LT Robert E. Oxford - WWII Missing in Action (6 Dec 2014)

• Charles H. Tidwell - WWII Killed in Action, James T. Harris - Vietnam Killed in Action, Glenn R. McCuaig - Vietnam Killed in Action, and Lonnie L. Silver - Vietnam Killed in Action (7 Nov 2015)

• Ralph E. Bishop - WWII Killed in Action, Tilton C. Gooden - WWII Killed in Action, and Joel M. Matthews - WWII Missing in Action (3 Dec 2016)

• Malcom R. Carter - WWII Killed in Action, Virgil L. Middlebrooks - Killed in Action, Willie L. King - Missing in Action / Lost at Sea (2 Dec 2017)

• Arthur R. Ballard - Killed in Action, Herman K. Davis - Killed in Action Leon R. Davis - Died of Decease, Roswell D. Hooten - Died of Decease, Henry A. O’Neal - Killed in Action, Solon S. Self - Killed in Action, Vernon E. Slade - Died of Decease, Pierre M. Sullivan - Died of Decease, Lawrence G. Sullivan - Died of Decease (1 Dec 2018) – All from WWI as part of the 100th Anniversary of the end of WWI.

•  Johnnie C. Alexander and Earl Coggin – Both Killed in Action in the Korean War, and William O. Gwyn and Thomas J. Slade – Both Pike County Sheriffs killed in the line of duty (7 Dec 2019)

• William Bankston – Killed in Action, and Green Blackman, John G. McLendon, and Ben L. Scott Died of Disease.  All died during WWI.  (5 Dec 2020)

• Marvin R. Adkerson Killed in Action, Missing in Action David E. Ledford, former Prisoner of War and current Missing in Action Marion B. Smoot, and Perry R. Story Died from other Causes; all from WWII were inducted (4 Dec 2021)

• Law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty Chase L. Maddox, Killed in Action James E. Corley, Died of Disease Eddie R. Parks, and Killed in Action Thomas J. Sandefur (3 Dec 2022)

• Killed in Action Lee Roy Todd from WWI, Killed in Action Grier H. Blankenship from WWII, Killed in Action Martin Eppinger, and Law Enforcement Investigator killed in the line of duty Sherry E. Lyons-Williams (2 Dec 2023)

• Killed in the Line of Duty Special Deputy Walter Carter from the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Killed in Action Private Ernest Ross from WWI, Killed in Action Chief Petty Officer 3rd Class Harvey Pike from WWII, and Killed in Action Sergeant Cebran Willis from WWII (7 Dec 2024)

 

 

On 21 November 2015, Post 197 Commander Bryan Richardson submitted a letter to Ms. Brenda Turner, daughter of the late Howard Rawlins requesting the use of the larger section still in use for family storage within the building including the Post 197 portion of the building.  At a follow-on meeting at the Post between Ms. Brenda Turner and Commander Richardson, Ms. Turner unofficially approved use/rental of the remaining portion of the building.

 

On 16 April 2016, Ms. Brenda Turner allowed American Legion Auxiliary President Peggi Payton to dispose of the family contents during a yard sale.  By the end of the day, the American Legion obtained complete possession of all contents (minus a few major items) within the main building to further dispose.  Buy 30 July 2016, most items have been removed, and the Post conducted its first major function within the entire facility which was the 4th District Installation Ceremony.  At a 30 August 2016 meeting between Ms. Brenda Turner and Commander Richardson, a ten-year lease was signed for the use of the building.

 

As part of the Memorial Day program, on 30 May 2016, Post 197 officially unveiled the name of Chief Petty Officer Willie Lee King (King, W.L.) who died in the sinking of the USS Frank E. Evans during the Vietnam War to the Pike County Veterans Memorial.  At the 11 November 2018 Veterans Day Program, Post 197 officially unveil the name of Wagoner Vernon E. Slade (Slade, V.E.) who died from decease in France in WWI.  At the 11 November 2019 Veterans Day Program, Post 197 officially unveiled the names of Private William E. Bankson (Bankston, W.E.), Private Green Blackman (Blackman, G.), and Private Ben L. Scott (Scott, B.L.) all died while on orders during WWI.  At the 30 May 2022 Memorial Day Observance Program, Post 197 officially unvieled the names of Private Ernest C. Ross from WWI, Sergeant Cebtran E. Willis, and Private Martin Eppinger from Korea.

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On 12 September 2023, Post 197 moved the memorial contents from the Pike County Memorial Annex in the Pike County Schools to the City Hall of Zebulon, Pike County, Georgia.  On 2 December 2023, Post 197 hosted the 2023 Pike County Memorial Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony, followed by a Rededication Ceremony, Renaming Ceremony, and Grand oppening of the Pike County Memorial Hall of Heroes.