Now, 90 years later, the government is urging hybrid electric cars, 63-inch digital televisions can be purchased for low monthly payments and the last surviving American veteran of The War to End All Wars, Frank Buckles, is 108 years old.
However, Brookhaven's John Edwards Post 12 of the American Legion still exists. The local veterans' organization turned 90 years old in August.
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When the state branch of the American Legion was formed in 1919, the new organization passed Resolution I, which promised to assist approximately 2,500 Mississippi servicemen who were disabled in World War I. Part of the resolution read, "We pledge our whole-hearted support and effort to disabled men in assisting them to get the full benefit of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act as administered by the Federal Board," and, "RESOLVED: That all local posts are hereby requested to collect and furnish to the Secretary all information possible concerning disabled soldiers in their respective localities."
When the 1919 state convention ended, the Legionnaires dispersed to their home posts to begin assisting fellow veterans. They're still doing it today.
"Basically, we try to be active in veterans' affairs, keep people posted on what's going on and help former servicemen with their questions concerning veterans' affairs," Reeves said.
Brookhaven's Post 12 participates in Boys State, one of the Legion's largest and most prestigious programs, which makes young men of boys by teaching them government and leadership skills. The local post also decorates around 700 servicemen's graves each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and often hosts local political figures annually to communicate veterans' needs.
"The American Legion has political clout," Reeves said. "It is one of the top promoters of veterans' affairs there is in this country beside the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)."
The Legion ran a baseball team in the mid-20th century, and once owned the Exchange Club Park before selling it to that organization.
Post 12 is facing a problem in 2009, however.
Its membership is aging, and participation has grown scarce. Reeves said the post has 41 members, but many are inactive.
Despite the ongoing participation by Brookhavenites in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, young soldiers returning home have not joined the American Legion, a fact which saddens Reeves, Post 12 chaplain the Rev. W.A. Matthews and all involved.
"It's held us back," Reeves said.
Matthews said the values of the Legion are the same they were 90 years ago, and the same that sends local teenagers and young men to the other side of the earth with rifle in hand today.
"The Legion stands for patriotism and love for one's country, support of our military forces," he said. "It's a good organization and has played an important part in the history of our country. The longevity shows it has served a great purpose in our society."
Brookhaven's post was founded on Aug. 25, 1919, one month before Congress officially chartered the American Legion in September of that year.
According to old clippings belonging to Matthews, the 12th post founded in Mississippi was named after John May Edwards, a Brookhavenite who died of meningitis in February 1918 while stationed in the U.S. Army in Louisiana. He had earlier served on the Mexican border in the Mississippi National Guard.
Post 12's charter, which is now on display in the Military Memorial Museum, was signed by 15 Brookhaven men - O.N. Arrington, Perry A. Coker, T.E. Coker, N.B. Fisher, George C. Hoskins, Delbitt W. Love, Aubrey Magee, N.A. McLeod, C.T. Montgomery, Eugene Montgomery, L.P. Oberschmidt, I.L. Parsons, B.H. Storm, Joseph West, Jr. and W.C. Williams.
The newly formed Post 12 and its members would help organize the American Legion's Mississippi branch only months later.
According to "History of the American Legion, Department of Mississippi, 1919-1943," written by department historian Arthur C. Short in 1943, Ira Lee Parsons, who practiced medicine in Brookhaven until 1916, when he joined the National Guard and served on the Mexican Border, would go on to be an American Legion department commander in 1921. He entered the public health service that same year, and would serve as the chief medical officer for the Veterans' Administration's Jackson and Biloxi offices.
When the temporary organization was formed in April 1919, Post 12 charter member George C. Hoskins was selected to attend the national convention in St. Louis in May 1919. Hoskins also served on the executive committee at large, while Brookhaven's Shelby A. Cowart represented the congressional district.
When the state convention was held in October, Brookhaven's Albert Edwards and W.S. Rutter joined charter members Parsons and O.N. Arrington to represent Post 12. Parsons was selected to serve on the state executive committee.
Brookhaven's post was 12 of only 33 posts organized by the time of the convention. The following year, the number had grown to 119.
McComb's James H. Price and Fayette's James McClure were also named to positions at the April pre-convention. Magnolia's Van H. Weathersby and McComb's K.G. Price were named to positions at the state convention in October.
Other local natives who played roles in the early days of the American Legion include Monticello's Forrest Graham Coooper, who served as department commander in 1931, and Summit's Clyde McGehee, who served as department commander in 1941.
Prominent Post 12 officials in recent history include the late commanders Versie Adams and Bernard McClelland, and adjutant Lloyd Edge. The post went dormant after McClelland's passing, but was rejuvenated by Reeves in the mid 1990s.
Post 12 is scheduled to meet on the third Tuesday of every month. Veterans interested in joining may call Reeves at 601-833-5438.
