Brief History of Post 154

Clen Newton Smith Legion Post 154 applied for its charter on 8-24-1945 and the permanent charter was issued 2-16-1946. It is named in honor of the first WWII casualty from Jones County. He served in the Navy and was born Oct. 19, 1923 and died May 8, 1943. He was missing in action or buried at sea. His name is on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery at Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines. He served aboard the USS Semmes in the Battle of Coral Sea. His ship was sunk by the Japanese May 7, 1943. He was from Trenton and in service only 7 months. He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously. His parents were Alle Dewitt and Beadie Collins Smith. A bronze memorial plaque is placed on their gravesite in the Trenton Municipal Cemetery. The charter members are:

John R Burt

John W Creagh JR

C L Foy

L R Henderson

Woodrow Hill

H Manley Hines

Floyd F Huggins

John D Larkins JR

Woodrow W Lowery

Rom W Mallard

Walter S Moore

John Hughes Pollock

Earl Smith

George M Spence

W Floyd Sykes

S H White

Meetings were initially held in the courthouse under the leadership of John D Larkins, and Floyd Sykes was elected the first Commander in 1945. In August 1948 a 20 year lease was made with Julian Warren for the 8 acre property, and a Legion hut was constructed. This leasing continued until 1986. In 1958 the Post purchased a 19.2 ac parcel of land located north of Trenton in front of what is now Jones Junior High School, with the idea of constructing another building, however this never developed. Another tract of land (29.1 ac) adjacent to the western edge of the Legion tract was purchased from Milton Gooding in 1968. Approximately 5 acres of this tract was used for parking. In 1986 Julian Warrren exchanged the 8 acre tract that contained the Legion hut for the tract in front of the school along with a portion of the Gooding tract. The parking lot was retained.

Through the years many repairs and modifications to the structures have been made. Central water service became available in 1975. Vinyl siding was added in 1989. Heating and air conditioning systems were installed in 2000. The roof was last replaced in 2004. Tile floor was replaced in 2005. Shrubbery was planted in front in 2006. The outside bathrooms were demolished in 2003. Also the former exhibit area had bathrooms and a kitchen installed and the dirt floor was cemented in 1989. In 1989 with major remodeling being done, the Auxiliary began sharing a portion of our facility for their meetings. A fire destroyed the former livestock shelter in August 2006 and was replaced by the Fire Department with a steel shelter used for the cooking area.

Various projects were a part of the American Legion and included oratorical contests, sponsorship of Boy Scout troops and an annual Miss Jones County beauty pageant and most notably the annual Jones County Agricultural Fair Association in conjunction with the Extension Service. It commenced in October 1949 and ceased in 1980. Beginning in 1972, the Legion Fairgrounds were used for the Trenton Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Auction which continues to date.

The charter and by-laws were adopted March 1992. It is recognized as a non-profit tax exempt organization with a 501(c)19 designation in 1976. A webpage was developed in 2001. Incorporation was made in April 2009.

Plans were made in May 2004 to construct a Memorial Monument with the Honor Roll listing the names in memory and honor of the deceased veterans from Jones County who served in wars since WWI, and this was completed and dedicated October 30, 2005. It is located in front of the Jones County Civic Center. Frank Harriett was the architect.

history.htm

3-24-09