More Than a Century of Veterans Serving Veterans and the Cherokee County Community

For more than 100 years, the men and women of American Legion Thomas M. Brady Post 45 have carried forward a tradition of service that began with a small group of World War I veterans in Canton, Georgia.

Through wars and generations, changing times and changing leadership, Post 45 has remained committed to the principles upon which The American Legion was founded:

Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth.

Thomas M. Brady Jr. was born November 29, 1886, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Thomas M. Brady Sr. and Elizabeth Burke Brady.

His father established the Georgia Marble Finishing Works and was also responsible for the design and sculpture of the Lion of the South, a memorial to Confederate dead located in Atlanta's Grant Park.

Before entering military service, Thomas Brady Jr. followed his father into the marble business, serving as a vice president of the company.

When his country called during World War I, Brady entered military service and rose to the rank of Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Thomas M. Brady Jr. was killed in action during World War I, becoming the first serviceman from Cherokee County to lose his life in the war.

When a group of local World War I veterans came together to establish an American Legion Post in Canton, they chose to honor their fallen comrade by placing his name upon their new organization.

Only months after the establishment of The American Legion nationally, fifteen World War I veterans came together in Cherokee County to establish a local Post.

After meeting the minimum requirement of fifteen members, Thomas M. Brady Post 45 received its Temporary Charter on October 11, 1919.

The veterans who organized Post 45 and selected Lieutenant Brady's name became our Charter Members:

Benjamin F. Kilby
Augusta M. Foute
Guy M. Curtis
Joe Frank Barton
Colin Curry
John T. Ponder
Griffin L. Roberts
Odie P. Galt Sr.
John R. Teasley
Howard Willingham
Carl C. Edge Sr.
James R. Price
George A. Doss
Ernest J. Holcombe
William Elbert Chambers

From these fifteen veterans grew an organization that would serve generations of veterans, military families, youth, and residents throughout Cherokee County.

Nearly eighteen years after its founding, Thomas M. Brady Post 45 received its Permanent Charter in June 1937, firmly establishing the Post's place within The American Legion and the Cherokee County community.

Post 45 and the Cherokee County Fair

January 12, 1938

A Partnership Takes Root

Cherokee County Fair, circa 1940s — a tradition that has connected Post 45 and the Cherokee County community for generations.

The histories of Thomas M. Brady Post 45 and the Cherokee County Fair have been connected for generations.

At a Post Executive Committee meeting in January 1938, under the leadership of Commander Carl C. Edge Sr., the Post announced the purchase of a majority interest in the Cherokee County Fair Association.

The partnership proved beneficial to both organizations and provided Post members with a regular gathering place.

Two years later, the Fair Association sold The American Legion a parcel of land for the remarkable price of $1.00, providing Post 45 with property upon which a permanent home could eventually be built.

This partnership became another example of a tradition that continues today—Post 45 veterans working with the community to strengthen Cherokee County.

Building a Home and a Living Memorial

October 15, 1947

Construction Begins on the Post Home

Under Commander E. L. Stone, plans were developed in 1946 for a modern Post home and clubhouse that would serve as a living memorial to America's war veterans.

Post 45 was growing rapidly.

Membership stood at 374 members in 1946 and reached 423 members by the end of 1947.

Through donations, fundraising projects, and community support, approximately $20,000 was raised to make the new Post home possible. Construction began in October 1947.

Although the building would serve as an American Legion Hall, Post leaders envisioned it as something more.

The facility would also be available to established civic and community organizations for meetings, banquets, and social functions.

From its beginning, the Post home was therefore designed not simply as a gathering place for veterans, but as a place where those veterans could continue serving their community.

Remembering Canton's First Legionnaires

November 9, 1977

Nearly sixty years after Post 45 was organized, the Cherokee Tribune helped preserve an important part of local history with an article remembering Canton's first Legionnaires.

The story recognized the veterans who helped establish The American Legion in Cherokee County and preserved their contributions for future generations.

Their legacy continues through every veteran who has carried the Post 45 name since 1919.

Renewing the Post Home

August 15, 1992

Preparing Post 45 for a New Generation

When Bob Campbell became Post Commander in 1992, Thomas M. Brady Post 45 entered another period of growth and modernization.

A monthly Post newsletter was established to improve communication among members, and extensive renovations of the Post home began.

The building was completely rewired and new lighting was installed. Improvements also included a drop ceiling, upstairs kitchen, vinyl siding, a ladies' restroom, and an accessible restroom.

The renovations represented more than improvements to an aging building. They were an investment in Post 45's future and its ability to continue serving veterans and the community.

Women Become Part of Post 45 History

October 26, 1992

Margaret B. Hicks Becomes Post 45's First Female Member

Post 45 reached an important milestone in October 1992 when Margaret B. Hicks became the first woman to join what had previously been an all-male membership.

She was followed in January 1993 by Lynne S. Rollins.

Lynne would go on to become one of the most influential leaders in the modern history of Thomas M. Brady Post 45.

In 1994, she became the Post's first female officer.

In 1997, she became the first female Post 45 member to receive Legionnaire of the Year.

That same year, she expanded her service beyond Post 45 when she was appointed Department Historian for The American Legion Department of Georgia.

But another historic first was still to come.

A Post 45 Leader Goes Statewide

June 25, 1997

Bob Campbell Elected Department of Georgia Commander

Thomas M. Brady Post 45 celebrated another proud achievement in 1997 when Bob Campbell was elected Commander of The American Legion Department of Georgia for the 1997–1998 term.

Campbell was a dedicated advocate for veterans, veterans' benefits, and the organizations that served them.

Before his election as Department Commander, he served as Department Senior Vice Commander and Department Junior Vice Commander. He also served two consecutive years as Ninth District Commander and contributed to several Department and National committees, including the National Military Affairs Committee.

His leadership began here at Post 45, where he held numerous positions including Public Relations Officer, Membership Chairman, Newsletter Editor, Historian, Junior Vice Commander, and four years as Post Commander.

Post 45's First Female Commander

June 25, 1998

Lynne S. Rollins Makes History

Only six years after women first joined Thomas M. Brady Post 45, Lynne S. Rollins became the first female Commander in Post history.

Her commitment to service began long before assuming command.

Rollins served for more than twelve years in the United States Army Nurse Corps Reserve and was called to active duty in August 1990 at the onset of the Persian Gulf War, serving on active duty for more than ten months.

After joining The American Legion, she served in numerous officer and committee positions at Post 45.

Her work as Department Historian also received national recognition. Her Department history earned first place in the National Department Narrative History Contest, and her yearbook earned second place in the National Department Yearbook Contest in Indianapolis.

She also represented Thomas M. Brady Post 45 within the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.

Her election as Commander marked an important chapter in Post 45 history and demonstrated that the responsibility of leadership belongs to those willing to serve.

Continuing to Build for the Future

October 15, 1999

From Post 45 to Department Commander

JUNE 23, 2013

Lynne S. Rollins Elected 96th Department Commander

Thomas M. Brady Post 45 celebrated another historic achievement on June 23, 2013, when Lynne S. Rollins was installed as the 96th Commander of The American Legion Department of Georgia during the Department's 95th Annual Convention.

Lynne S. Rollins, 96th Commander of The American Legion Department of Georgia, 2013–2014. A longtime member and former Commander of Thomas M. Brady Post 45.

Rollins, a member of Post 45 for 22 years at the time of her election, brought decades of military and American Legion service to the position.

She served for fifteen years in the United States Army Reserve, including approximately one year of active duty during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and attained the rank of Captain in the Army Nurse Corps.

Her path to Department Commander was built upon years of leadership that began at Thomas M. Brady Post 45.

After becoming Post 45's first female Commander in 1998, Rollins served three years in that position. She later served two years as Ninth District Commander, earning national recognition in The American Legion's Race-to-the-Top membership competition—placing second in 2008 and first in 2009. Under her leadership, the Ninth District was also recognized as The Most Outstanding District in both years.

Rollins served six years as Department of Georgia Historian, from 1997–2000 and again from 2006–2009, earning both first- and second-place recognition for the history books she prepared.

Her Department leadership continued when she became Department Junior Vice Commander in 2009, serving for two years. She later served as Department Public Relations Officer before becoming Senior Vice Commander and Membership Chairman.

During her tenure in membership leadership, the Department of Georgia finished the membership year at 102.5% of goal, placing second nationally and reaching its membership goal for the first time in many years.

In 2013, that long record of service culminated in her installation as Department Commander.

Lynne became the fourth woman in Georgia American Legion history to serve as Department Commander, adding another historic achievement to a Legion career that began here at Thomas M. Brady Post 45.

Outside The American Legion, Rollins served her community as a Family Nurse Practitioner and as a member of the Waleska City Council.

From Post 45's first female Commander to the leadership of The American Legion Department of Georgia, Lynne Rollins' journey represents an important chapter in the history of Thomas M. Brady Post 45—and another example of how service that begins at the Post level can reach far beyond its walls.

A Legacy of Service to Veterans and Community

JANUARY 24, 2019

Raymond Rollins Named First Citizen of Cherokee County

Thomas M. Brady Post 45 celebrated another distinguished achievement in 2019 when Post Commander Raymond Rollins was named the 44th First Citizen of Cherokee County by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.

Raymond Rollins receives the 2019 First Citizen of Cherokee County Award, recognizing his decades of service to veterans and the Cherokee County community.

A lifelong Cherokee County resident raised in Waleska, Rollins built a lifetime of service around his community, his country and his fellow veterans.

After graduating from Cherokee High School, he served with the Canton Police Department and Cherokee County Sheriff's Office before completing degrees in Sociology and Criminal Justice at West Georgia College.

Rollins went on to serve 22 years in the National Guard, retiring as a Staff Sergeant. His service included duty during Desert Storm. Following his military career, he continued serving veterans professionally, spending 15 years as a Division Manager with the Georgia Department of Veterans Service in Rome.

His commitment to veterans extended deeply into The American Legion.

A longtime member and Commander of Thomas M. Brady Post 45, Rollins also served as Ninth District Commander and later as Commander of the Sons of The American Legion, Detachment of Georgia. His service would extend to the Department level as well.

Beyond the Legion, Rollins served as President of the Cherokee County Fair Association, helped coordinate Canton's Independence Day and Veterans Day parades, and devoted countless hours to helping veterans obtain the benefits they earned—including personally assisting veterans who needed transportation to VA appointments.

His community service was recognized in 2016 when he was named the Rotary Club of Canton Volunteer of the Year.

Three years later, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce honored that lifetime of service by naming Raymond Rollins its 2019 First Citizen of Cherokee County.

The recognition reflected something Post 45 had witnessed for years: a commitment to veterans and community that extended far beyond the walls of the Post.

Twenty-Five Years of Leadership

Honoring Raymond and Lynne Rollins

History isn't only found in old photographs, charters, newspaper clippings, or buildings.

Sometimes history is found in the people who quietly keep an organization moving forward year after year.

For approximately 25 years, Raymond and Lynne Rollins provided dedicated leadership and service to Thomas M. Brady Post 45.

Raymond served as Post Commander, while Lynne continued the trailblazing service that began decades earlier and served as Post Adjutant.

Together, they helped guide Post 45 through changing times while preserving its traditions, supporting its members, and carrying forward the responsibility entrusted to each generation of Legionnaires.

On July 30, 2026, Raymond and Lynne stepped away from their leadership positions and began a well-earned slower chapter of life.

They leave behind something much larger than titles.

They leave a legacy.

For the countless meetings, telephone calls, reports, events, decisions, long days, late nights, veterans helped, traditions protected, problems solved, and years given in service to this Post:

Raymond and Lynne — Post 45 Thanks You.

You've carried it faithfully. We'll take it from here.

A New Chapter Begins

July 30, 2026

The Legacy Continues

With every generation comes the responsibility to protect what those before us built—and then continue building upon it.

On July 30, 2026, Thomas M. Brady Post 45 welcomed its next generation of leadership:

Post Commander

Joey Price

Post Adjutant

Marget Weatherby

They inherit an organization whose story began with fifteen World War I veterans in 1919.

A Post built in honor of a fallen Lieutenant.

A Post whose members helped sustain a county fair.

A Post that built a home intended to serve veterans and its community.

A Post that grew and changed as new generations of veterans came home.

A Post where women veterans became members, officers, award recipients, and Commanders.

And a Post carried forward for decades by leaders who understood that stewardship means eventually handing the responsibility to someone else.

Today, that responsibility passes to another generation.

Our commitment remains the same:

Honor those who came before us.
Serve those who need us today.
Prepare the way for those who will follow.

The history of Thomas M. Brady Post 45 is more than a record of our past.

It is the foundation for what we do next.

Since 1919 — Veterans Serving Veterans, Families, and Community.

THE LEGACY CONTINUES!