In February 1926, the news of a gift from the United States came to Dublin officials. After the end of World War I in Germany, the United States government seized an enormous hoard of German objects of war, from knives to pistols, to rifles and machine guns, and even the deadly howitzer artillery pieces, to distribute to each state in the country, to be further spread around the state. Being the home of Georgia American Legion Post No. 17, Dublin was one of the first Georgia Legion posts to obtain a massive souvenir to the memory of those Laurens Countians who died and those who served over there. About sixty local men died during the war, most of whom lost their lives to disease. Hundreds came back, battered and sickened by the taste and smell of death.
The penultimate souvenir, a 150mm Howitzer, was, ironically, one of only seventeen allotted to Georgia counties. These heavy artillery pieces were extremely effective in destroying enemy positions and artillery. They were used by the Germans up to the initial years of World War II.
Among the items given to the post were a large assortment of small arms and military equipment, most of which were distributed to the members of the post.
Upon its arrival, the gigantic artillery piece was placed in a grassy spot on the northwest corner of the Laurens County Courthouse, where it remained until after the end of World War II. When the Legion erected its first permanent headquarters at 807 North Jefferson Street, the gun was moved to remain a prominent reminder of our country’s victory in the “War to End All Wars.” The gun became a landmark to citizens and hundreds of thousands of travelers passing by along the then major U.S. Highway 441. The howitzer was moved again in the 1970s to the new legion post at 2503 Moore Station Road. Several decades later, the gun was sold to Leon A. Lovett, of Wrightsville, to help pay for the costs of maintaining the post. The gun remains a part of the Lovett Artillery Collection. Atlanta Journal, Feb. 17, 1926. https://www.lovettartillery.com/
Here is a detailed list of the items received by the local American Legion Post.
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