By meeting the minimum requirement for fifteen members, a temporary charter was awarded to Post 45, on October 11, 1919. The post was named for Lieutenant Thomas M. Brady, Jr of Canton who was the first Cherokee County man to die during World War I. Brady was born November 29, 1886 in Boston, MA, son of Thomas M. Brady, Sr., the founder of Georgia Marble Finishing Works. The "Lion of the South" memorial to the confederate dead, which now stands in Grant Park, Atlanta was designed and sculpted by Thomas M. Brady, Sr.
The World War I veterans who organized and selected the name of Thomas M. Brady Post 45 were 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 and William Elbert Chambers. These gentlemen are the Charter Members of Post 45.
Permanent Charter Obtained
June 1937
Purchased Majority Stock of Cherokee County Fair
12 January 1938
In January, at the Post Executive Committee meeting headed by Carl C. Edge, Sr. announced the purchase of a majority of the stock in the Cherokee County Fair Association. This joint venture proved to be beneficial to both Post 45 and the Fair Association. It gave the post members a place to meet on a regular basis. Two years later the Fair Association sold the American Legion a parcel of land for $1.00 on which to build a permanent home.
Construction of Legion Post Home
15 October 1947
E.L. Stone was Commander of Post 45 in 1946 when plans were made for a modern home and clubhouse to serve as a living memorial to war veterans. Membership was at 374 in 1946 and grew to 423 by the end of 1947, when construction began in October. $20,000 was raised from donations and projects. Although the home would strictly be an American Legion Hall, plans were to make the facilities available for community use. Civic and other established organizations could rent the building for meetings, banquets and other social functions. The one limitation was that no alcohol was authorized in the post home for any reason.
Cherokee Tribune Article About Canton's First Leginnaires
9 November 1977
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Post Home Removations
15 August 1992
Bob Campbell became the Post 45 Commander in 1992 and under his leadership a monthly newsletter was started and extensive renovations of the post home began. The post home was completely rewired electrically and new lighting was installed. Other renovations included a drop ceiling, an upstairs kitchen, vinyl siding, a ladies restroom and a handicap restroom.
Female Members
26 October 1992
The all-male membership changed with the membership of Margaret B. Hicks in October, 1992, then Lynne S. Rollins in January 1993. Rollins became the first female officer in 1994, the first female to receive Legionnaire of the Year in 1997 and the first female to serve as a Department of Georgia officer in 1997 when she was appointed as Department Historian. Lynne is still an active member of the post today and is currently serving as the Adjutant.
Bob Campbell Elected Department of Georgia Commander 1997-98
25 June 1997
Bob Campbell was a dedicated and strong advocate of veterans benefits and organizations. During the previous year he served as Department Senior Vice Commander, and was Department Junior Vice Commander 1194-96. He had served two consecutive years as Ninth District Commander and served on several department and national committees including the National Military Affairs Committee. He had served many offices of Post 45 including Public Relations Officer, Membership Chairman, Newsletter Editor, Historian, Junior Vice Commander and four years as Post Commander.
First Female Comander
25 June 1998
Lynne S. Rollins has been a member of the US Army Nurse Corps Reserve for over 12 years. She was called to active duty in August 1990 at the onset of the Persian Gulf War for over 10 months. She has been a member of the American Legion for 7 years and served in many officer and committee positions. She has also been the Department Historian for 2 years and won 1st place in the National Department Narrative History Contest and 2nd place in the National Department Yearbook Contest in Indianapolis. She represents Post 45 at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. Lynne is still an active member of the post today and is currently serving as the Adjutant.
More Renovations
15 October 1999
This is the second year of the first female commander, Lynne S. Rollins, and the post has been busy with many updates to the post home. A new copy machine, ice maker, smoke eaters, TV's for bingo with cable hook up on one, exterior doors with panic bars, new carpet (Legion Blue) for the stage, ceiling speakers, display cases, new refrigerator, and the Commander's favorite, a letter slot for the front door. Construction work consisted of removing old paneling for drywalling and painting the upstairs hall, two closets, wiring for the speakers, wiring the smoke eaters, wiring outlets for lights in the display cases in the foyer, building shadow boxes from existing covered windows for display items, repairs to the original chimney and building display shelves for pictures of Past Post Commanders.
