The Edward J. Beatty American Legion Post #24

The American Legion has been an active participant in Canton community for over 100 years.

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, service-members and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Post #24 was established in 1919, the same year that the Legion was chartered by Congress. Our post here in Canton is named in honor of Sergeant Edward J. Beatty, the first serviceman from our town to lose his life in the Great War.

Over the years, the Legion has built its identity by achieving hundreds of benefits and services for veterans, supporting the U.S. Armed Forces and instilling the values of responsible citizenship among young people. From the nation-changing of The American Legion-drafted GI Bill to relief for veterans exposed to toxic contamination in the service, veterans of The American Legion have worked for over a century to improve and strengthen the nation they swore with their lives to defend.

From 1919 to 1942, Post #24 held its meetings in the Brooks Building at the corner of Bolivar and Washington streets. The building burned to the ground in 1942. In 1947, the Post moved to its own building and present location at 950R Washington Street behind Canton High School.

Throughout its history, Post #24 has served as a social hub for our town’s former and current service-members and has consistently been a source of strength and service in the town of Canton.

Providing scholarships for Canton High School seniors.
Sending Canton High School students to Boys State.
Participating in Memorial Day commemorations for our fallen service-members.
Participating in Veterans Day celebrations.
Sponsoring our annual golf tournament to raise funds for student scholarships.
Sponsoring blood drives and bone marrow donor registry drives.

For More Information on Scholarships, or if you wish to go to Boys State email legionpost24@gmail.com

Sergeant Edward J Beatty in a blue military uniform with a hat and a medal, arms crossed, with a background of greenery and a building.

Edward J. Beatty was born in Canton on April 10, 1892, to Edward and Mary Beatty and was one of two boys in a family of seven children. The Beattys resided in a home on Wall Street. Beatty was a graduate of the Canton Public Schools and was a carpenter by trade. He enlisted in the Army on May 26, 1913. On April 6, 1917, the day America declared war on Germany, there was a patriotic parade in Canton from Neponset Street to the Town Hall led by the National Guardsmen that included Sgt. Ed Beatty. On April 20, 1918, Beatty fell at the Battle of Seicheprey in France.

Post #24 Executive Board