How it started and where we are today. American Legion Post #196, Brownwood,  Texas received its Charter on September 23rd, 1949. The Post would be called the Isham A. Smith and Scott Brothers, American Legion Post #196. I located some historical articles at the Post on Private Isham A. Smith. He was a
Brown County resident and lived near Zephyr, Texas. He went to training camp on March 13, 1917, as a volunteer, at Fort Sam Houston. When World War 1 was declared, he again volunteered and joined the Regulars , Company F, Twenty-Sixth Infantry on May 29th, 1917. Private Smith had been in a number of
battles when on June 14, 1918, Private Smith succumbed to his injuries that he had received in battle. Private Smith became the first Brown County resident killed in the “great war”, World War 1.

I was particularly moved by the following statement: “As a soldier he was typically an American, brave and true, ready at the first call to fight for his Country and for the right. He gave; he did not receive. He gave everything – his strength, his courage, his body and his life. What more could he have done?” Today, there are nearly 1 million active duty service members in our Armed Forces. There have been men and women who have bravely served in our Armed Forces that dates back to World War 1, to include but not limited to:
Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and Global War on Terror. They gave everything – their strength, their courage, their bodies and their lives. For that, I salute Private Isham A. Smith, our Active Duty Members, our Veterans, for those who are MIA (Missing in Action) and those service members who gave their lives in defense of Our Country. Thank you for your SERVICE.

American Legion Post #196 is located at 1600 Burnett, across from Hendrick Hospital, in Memorial Park. Post meetings are the second Tuesday of each month. A meal is provided at 1800 hours followed by a Post meeting at 1900 hours.

In each upcoming article, I will recognize local businesses who support our veterans: Citizens National Bank, Clear Path Home Care, KOXE and Longhorn Mini Storage. Thank you for your support.

Upcoming important dates: Armed Forces Day May 18th and Memorial Day May
27th. Follow Post #196 on facebook: American Legion Post 196 – Brownwood

Yesterday we served our country, Today we serve our Community