Sheffield in Colbert County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Birth of VFW Post #8640

Photographed by Billy Clemmons, November 10, 2024

1. The Birth of VFW Post #8640 Marker

Inscription. In the 1950s, seven black men gathered at McClains Place on Atlanta Avenue to discuss forming Alabamas first VFW for black veterans. With only $30, VFW Spokesman John T. Hampton boarded a train to attend the National Convention in New York which at that time was comprised of all white men. A letter drafted by an Assistant Commander was submitted requesting their own VFW Charter. Upon Mr. Hampton's return home, a letter awaited him accepting their request. The formation of the state's first all black VFW Charter was created by these seven men. (Continued on other side)

Reverse Side
Founding Members
John T. Hampton ("The Peanut Man") • William Appleton • Willie Fitzgerald • Harry Grimes • Grady Hardnett • William Hill • Vinson Perkins, Sr. ("1st Commander")

Their first VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post #8640 meeting was held here at Mr. Hampton’s home

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations.

Location. 34° 44.826′ N, 87° 41.134′ W. Marker is in Sheffield, Alabama, in Colbert

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

County. It is at the intersection of Sterling Boulevard and East 4th Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Sterling Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 314 Sterling Blvd, Sheffield AL 35660, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama

and in the Shoals.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sheffield Colored School / Sterling High School (approx. 0.6 miles away); In Memory of Our Comrades of Sheffield (approx. one mile away); William Winston Home (approx. 1.1 miles away); President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (approx. 1.1 miles away); Percy Sledge / Producer Quin Ivy

Founding Members - Reverse Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Billy Clemmons, November 10, 2024

2. Founding Members - Reverse Side

(approx. 1.1 miles away); Yellow Fever Epidemic 1878 / The 31 Victims of Yellow Fever Who died in Tuscumbia (approx. 1.2 miles away); History of Sheffield (approx. 1.2 miles away); Gov. Robert Burns Lindsay / Maud McKnight Lindsay (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sheffield.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2024, by Billy Clemmons of Florence, Alabama. This page has been viewed 356 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 10, 2024, by Billy Clemmons of Florence, Alabama. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?