Williamson American Legion Post #394 History
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by Post Historian Orlo Plyter 1919 The first meeting was held Thursday evening, September 25th, 1919. The Post was formed at that time. Dues would be $2.00. A discussion was held on the name of the Post - suggested name was Orbaker Post (Kenneth Orbaker was killed October 19, 1919). Also, four other Williamson men had lost their lives in France. This was tabled. On Thursday, October 9, 1919 it was voted on to name the Post, The Williamson Post #394. A Mr.
Tanner was First
Commander,
but did not complete his term as he skipped town with someone else's
wife.
As April 15, 1921 October, 1921 November, 1921 Motion made to have Minstrel show February 2, 1922. Treasurer's balance: $15.59. June, 1922 November 9, 1922 November, 1922 December, 1922 January, 1923 October, 1923 December, 1923 April, 1925 Minutes
through December
1926
did not have much action in them, just regular business. April 14, 1927 Committee was appointed to look into a joint 4th of July Celebration with the Moose Club. County Meeting was held at the Post and they apparently served egg nog. It sounded as if 19 gallons were served according to the minutes. May 12, 1927 June 16, 1927 September, 1927 October, 1927 October, 1927 November 10, 1927 December, 1927 1928 January
12,
1928
Picture show profit: $9.00. Commander Les Blake made a report about Directory of Town. Motion made to give check for $25.00 for library. Discussion about organizing a Legion Band. March 8, 1928
Boy Scout Drum Corps making good progress. Post to buy 2 drums for cost of $54.00. Ownership to be retained by Post. Membership was 55. Report on Legion Directory was made, over 800 copies have been sold. 480 families had not ordered yet, so 1200 copies were to be printed. $549 worth of advertising had been sold. It was decided to hold monthly meetings in July & August. Post to hire someone to paint "Williamson " with arrow pointing to Fireman's Park Field. This will be painted on roofs of business section of town as a guide to planes passing over and point out an emergency field. (Remember this is 1928) October
11,
1928
Signs on East and West end of town are nearly completed. (We just took them down afew years ago. Worn out, like a lot of us) November
8, 1928
Doc
DeGellke,
Harold Cheetham
and Andy Huige gave a report on the trip to The National Conventionat
San
Antonio, Texas. Our colors and famous Pear Cider Banner were in parade.
(The Banner's in our archives. I will display in Sept.) Some
minutes
were missing for 1928. Reported Library
had
no room for our War relics. Voted to send Legion Magazine to Library
free
gratis. Motion made to look into having an aviation field.
February
14, 1929
Airport Committee
working.
Discussed giving flags to the schools.
March
14, 1929
Motion to get in
touch
with Rotary to promote Boys Week. (We used to work with Rotary on
many
things.) Buck DeReu served a good chicken dinner. Aviation
Committee
still working.
April
11, 1929
Legion and Rotary
to
entertain boys to a movie and lunch on May 3. Nothing on Aviation.
June
13, 1929
Prize Fight
tabled to
next meeting. Committee to look into fight.
September
12, 1929
Aviation
Committee tabled
until next meeting. Looked into having another talent show. Two teams
appointed
to put on Membership drive. Losers to put on feed. (Post did this
for years.)
October
10, 1929
Talent Show to be
put
on November 22 & 23. Aviation Committee: short talk given on
aviation
situation. It would cost $5,000 to buy Hollis Johnson property. Would
sell
Stocks or Bonds. Post voted 18 for, 2 against, 8 not voting. Finance
report
stated Post financially embarrassed to extent of $40.15. (How about
that,
Herb!) Post established a Board of Trustees. They may spend up to
$25
without Post approval. (Those were the days.)
November
14, 1929
Aviation:
Proceeding
with idea for landing field. Will talk to Fireman about Park. (Johnson
property adjoined the Park.) Post to investigate a Rifle Club.
December
12, 1929
Talent Play
showed a
profit of $208.33. Turkey Raffle netted $148.76. Aviation: lease
agreement
drawn up between Post and Fireman for Landing Field. Membership showed
63
members. Legion to contact Fireman about having an Ice Skating Rink at
Fireman's
Park.
Historians
Note:
I hope as you read these minutes, you will note that things haven't
changed
much in the operation of the Post. The WWI boys were always trying to
do something
for the Community even though finances weren't good.
1930 January
8, 1930
Committee on
possible
Rifle Club reported that this Club may not be desirable for the Post.
Investigation
to continue. Christmas baskets were given to two legionnaire's families
in
need. Suggested in future years that we cooperate with the Rotary Club
on
these endeavors.
The following is the actual report from the minutes... "Skating Rink: It is reported that a June thaw met the Ice Brigade as they went into action and the June thaw won. Incidentally the Town Water Commission refused to furnish any water for the Rink. Motion: Moved that the Skating Rink proposition be abandoned. Carried. Aviation Committee: Comrade reported that the Legion expects to form a Corporation and sell stock in the amount of $7000. The land to be owned by the Corporation and leased to the Legion." There seemed to
be favorable
sentiment in town for this and having the Legion sponsoring the
aviation field.
Eventually the Legion would repurchase the stock through proceeds
derived from
Field Days, etc.. In time this would give the Legion complete control
of the
field. Voted to try a Prize fight to raise money. Motion made and
carried to
buy 1,000 copies of the Flag Code for free distribution to the public.
Request
was made for a donation to the National Chaplain's Traveling Fund. Post
donated
$13.
January
30, 1930
Special meeting called Twenty-three
members
present. Purpose of meeting was to discuss whether or not the Post
should
donated rooms to the State a particular day per month so the State
Industrial
Commission could hold Compensation Claims Court here.
Post voted to do
so
as a community service benefit. Some discussion was had concerning the
athletic
event the Post plans to hold at the Star Theater on February 10. It
decided
reserved seats will be $1.00 and general admission will be $.50.
Two sets of eight
ounce boxing gloves will be purchased. This event will
consist of 5 bouts with a total of 22 rounds. (This sounds great; I
can't
wait until next month.)February
13, 1930
(February
meeting
did not hold Good Tidings.) Aviation: Proposed landing field to be
abandoned.
It was learned that the people who were expected to back us financially
were
not particularly interested in aviation and did not care if Williamson
had
a field or not. Their reason for interest was based solely on the fact
that
it was sponsored by the Legion and they were lending their support as a
sense
of duty. Boxing Committee: The outcome of the boxing demonstration
which was
sponsored by the Post was not a financial success. The entertainment
was good
but the crowd was thin. Motion made and carried that we charge the
deficit
of $72.15 to experience and pay the bills. Motion made and carried to
lay the
Fight Program on the table for the present.
March
13, 1930
Post will work
with
Rotary Club on putting on a Boy's Night (I can remember these
nights.) Farm Bureau was given permission to use the Post
Home for meetings. Outdoor
celebration with Fire Company discussed. Motion was made to have a
Clean Up
day. A letter was to be put in the paper about Reforestation Project. (These
guys had no money but never quit with their ideas.)
April
10, 1930
Poppy Sale: To be
held
by high school children (Remember, the Post had no Auxiliary back
then). Clean Up Night: To be held on regular meeting nights
starting
at 6:30 p.m. Music: Ray DeHond reported practice every Thursday night
and
if possible would form a Band. Farm Bureau thanked Legion for use of
Club
Rooms. Reforestation: Moved and carried to buy trees from the State and
reforest
the right-of-way up to and including the reservoir and hire the work
done. (This right of way is off South Ave., Route 21, North of
Floyd
DeRoo's house. There are no trees planted along this right-of-way, but
there
are many Pine trees around the old reservoir undoubtedly put there by
this
project at this time. I can find no additional information in the
minutes.) Outdoor Celebration: It was moved and supported to work
with
the Fire Company on this project.
June
12, 1930
Boys Night: Held
with
the Rotary Club. Our share was $35.07. Voted to have our road signs (East
and West of town on old Route 104) repainted per design.
Poppy
Sale: Profit was $73.79. Letter of thanks read from school thanking
Post for
flag presented on Memorial Day to Standard Bearer. Outdoor Celebration:
Progressing.
Meeting was adjourned temporarily to listen to fight returns over the
radio
which had been loaned for the Post to use for the evening by Messrs.
Blake
and Rooney (Ideal Drug Store. Remember this is 1930)After
adjournment
matter of sponsoring a Glider Club was discussed and it was voted to do
same. (These guys never quit.) Committee formed to purchase a
bass horn for our band at the outdoor celebration.
July
9, 1930
Reported that a
bass
horn had been rented for the use of the band for $10 for three months.
Voted
to have our Annual Picnic the first week in August. (For years we
had an
Annual Picnic.) Voted not to take advantage of the
proposition
of a Mr. Moore to purchase six aerial views of Williamson for $250. A
communications
was read from the Minnesota Historical Society requesting a recent
telephone
directory of the town compiled by the Post. A copy will be forwarded.
August
12, 1930
Picnic was
discussed
and to be held Thursday August 21 at Pultneyville. (Undoubtedly
Cresent
Beach, now a Yacht Club.)
September
11, 1930
Reported that
there
would be a Nationwide broadcast on radio about the American Legion's
work.
This was to come from Boston. Voted to have a special meeting on that
Thursday
night. Voted to accept a Mr. Stevens offer to use his Golf Club one
night
free. (Must have been the now Ontario Golf Club.) Voted to
purchase bass horn to be owned by Legion and the engraved with Legion's
name.
Profit for year was $354.24.
October
9, 1930
Twenty members
present.
Bass horn purchased for $100. Signs painted for $61.38. Voted to have
Turkey
Raffle November 24.
November
13, 1930
Twenty-seven
members
present. Voted to buy lumber for new tables and new lace curtains for
rooms.
Several members gave a short talk of what they thought, and saw, and
did the
night of the Armistice in France. (November 11, 1918. Too bad we
don't
have that in the minutes.)
December
11, 1930
This was a County
meeting.
Lyons Post Drum and Bugle Corps entertained for a half hour of strong
music.
Historian's
note
-- minutes are getting to have more information in them so I will have
to
condense them down and write only what I feel are of interest to the
membership.
Too bad, all of the information is good.
January
9, 1941
Boys State boy to
be
chosen from Williamson this year. Ontario next year. Chairman to
contact the
school to decide on how to chose boy, by contest or appointment. Motion
carried
to get uniforms for all members. Deposit to be $5. Carried to purchase
two
ventilating fans for the rooms. Wayne County Ladies Aux. thanked
Bachelor
Post (Williamson) for their Christmas donation. National
Commander
to be in Rochester.
February
13, 1941
It was carried
that
the Williamson Post ratify the Wayne County Constitution and by-laws as
read.
Post donated $10 to Bundles for Britain Fund drive. Post voted to
purchase
new stove for $250. Ladies Nite to be March 21st. Motion carried to
donate
$100 for operation of the skating rink by the Rotary for the remainder
of
the season. Flag purchased for Girl Scouts.
March
6, 1941
It was stated
that
the Marion Chamber of Commerce would send one boy to Boys State. The
new stove
was installed. Al Lockley stated he would have open house at his home
for the
State Commander, all members invited. State Commanders Dinner was held
at the
Grange Hall with 200 Legion and Aux. members in attendance.
April
10, 1941
Under sick call
it was
reported that Adrian Van Kouwenberg was ill. He was sent a carton of
cigarettes.
He was suffering from siatic rheumatism. Ladies nite was held with 75
people
in attendance. Steak and french fries were served and bingo was played
(Sound familiar?) The event cost the Post $48. Post to hold annual
clean-up
nite meeting nite in May. L. L. Blake spoke about the new canning
factory in
Williamson and its benefits to the town. Voted to donate $100 to the
canning
factory fund to be used for purchase of lot and installing railroad
siding. (The factory was later built as Walt Wegners, then became
Seneca
Foods, now Thatcher Chemical - next to Burger King.) Flag was
presented
to Girl Scouts in the auditorium at joint meeting with PTA. State
Commanders
Dinner cost Post $140.36. May meeting was clean-up nite but a report of
Memorial
Day was written. Memorial Day was held in Pultneyville.They marched
from Jay
Street. Commander Fred Meinhardt led the color guard, school band,
scouts,
and school children to the cemetery. After the services the members
went to
the Post rooms where a special meeting was held pertaining to helping
out the
Sunday School Leagues of the town. It was carried to pay the lighting
bill at
Fireman's Park (Sunday School's share.) Carried to purchase a
fan suitable
to create a breeze in the Post rooms in the summer months.
June
12, 1941
Veterans Mountain
Camp
was discussed. Voted to send the camp $7.60, which was an assessment of
$.10
per member. (If you want to know more about Veterans Mountain Camp
see
me.) Voted to recover pool tables. Voted to reimburse Al Lockley
$100
toward his expenses as State Commander. Harold Cheetham stated he was
going
to raise the rent to $350 because of rising fuel prices. If the Post
took
a three year lease he would put in a new floor. Voted to do this.
Legion nite
at Red Wing Stadium will be July 29th. It would cost $.80 to see Jersey
City
play. County Convention to be held in Fire Hall, then retire to Post
rooms
for dinner and social time. Roast Beef sandwiches, mashed potatoes and
liquid
refreshments served at the cost of $.35 per plate (Wow).Voted
to charge
$.50 per plate (Still Wow).Voted to buy a refrigerator for club
rooms.
July
10, 1941
Would cost $62 to
fix
pool tables. Voted to have Legion Emblem, Post name and number painted
on
the entrance door to rooms. Voted to pay for members tickets for Red
Wings
game. Social Club members were voted to be given the same deal.
Detailed account
given about the Look Out posts in town. There were National Air
maneuvers
to be held. Posts to be located at the intersections of Kenyon Rd. and
the
other located on the Van Cruyingham Rd.. Several members of the Post
volunteered
to man the posts. Voted to buy safe for the club rooms.
August
7, 1941
Pool tables fixed
for
$63.75. Voted to buy new billiard balls. Safe has been purchased and
installed.
Voted to buy a desk lamp for Adjutant desk. (I can remember that
lampand
the roll top desk with Ray De Hond, Adjutant, sitting, taking minutes
after
I joined.) Voted to send all local boys in service a carton of
cigarettes.
Reported the Post had $2,200 in checking account. Post won $10 for best
appearing
Post at Lyons Convention Parade.
August
25, 1941
(Special meeting) Meeting was
called to
discuss Boys Nite at school. The Post would do this with the help of
the Rotary
Club. After discussion it was decided to hold Boys Nite at Fireman's
Park and
have a picnic. Will be held on September 4th. Boys Nite was a success
from
the reports of the boys. The following is from the minutes as written--
"One young lad
(Tellier)
nine years old told me (Ray De Hond, Adj.) that he ate 11 hots and
drank two
bottles of chocolate milk, one bottle of orange and one bottle of pop.I
asked
him if it made him sick and said he only was a little uncomfortable for
awhile."
September
11, 1941
Committees
reported
door sign is done, floor will be laid soon. Letter of thanks from
Sunday School
League for donation so they could have nite games under lights. Voted
to purchase
a candy, cigarette and cigar vending machine for $90. Motion made to
pay Adjutant
$2 per meeting. Tabled to be studied. (How about that Don and Herb?)
Voted to have 2 meetings a month. Voted to havea turkey raffle. Five
new
social members voted in.
September
25, 1941
Floor in and
looks good.
Adjutant pay discussed and tabled again. (2 bucks is two bucks.)Minutes
stated maybe the Adjutant could be relieved of some of his duties. Post
purchased
book "The History of the Department of N.Y." for $3.50 plus$.50 to have
Post
name on it. Voted not to have a turkey raffle. Will have a Clambake.
October
9, 1941
Committee for pay
for
Adjutant reported.They recommended that the Adjutant be allowed $1 per
meeting
to pay a stenographer for typing minutes and other clerical work
connected
with Legion affairs. This was carried. Brought up to have a permanent
custodian
of equipment and finances of same. No action taken at this time.
October
23, 1941
Motion carried to
hire
man to oversee the financial equipment and take care of the rooms.
Voted to
let County 40 et 8 use rooms for their monthly meeting. Committee
appointed
to work with Rotary on ice skating rink east of town.
November
13, 1941
It was carried
that
Post send $50 to County Aux. for Christmas fund. Post gave Community
Chest
$50. Armistice night dinner cost $67.05. It was carried that Post pay
dues
of members in VA Hospitals until death or recovery.
November
27, 1941
County Meeting to
be
held here with Dan O'Hara showing movies of Legion Mountain Camp. Voted
to
have a feed at next meeting and a sum of $.40 per plate be charged.
December
11, 1941
(4 days after Pearl Harbor) Look Out posts
discussed.
Al Lockley spoke about air raid wardens, First-aid men, and police
patrol.
Police patrol would guard against sabotage and the moping up of
parachute
troops. Practice at Look Out posts would begin. Historians note: I
am sure
the December 7th attack must have been discussed but nothing
was noted
in the minutes about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
January
8 &
January
22, 1942
Cleaning lady
given
$10.00 for Christmas. Two card tables had been purchased. Discussion
held
about possible power failures. (Remember this is war time.)
Talked
about buying generator for $200. Committee appointed. Bank night was
purposed
to increase attendance. Post to give $5.00 Defense Stamp for person
present.
Discussed to save waste paper and money made from same be used to buy
cigarettes
for boys in service. Tickets for Judge Brasser's banquet in Lyons to be
$1.25
per plate. Proposition for generator discussed. Voted on and was
defeated.
Mrs. Robert Harris and Mrs. Biwood Fuller asked for permission to use
club rooms
to feed troops passing thru Williamson if emergency arose. Carried.
Voted
to have Pancake Supper at cost of $.25 per plate. Post purchased
another War
Bond.
February
12 &
February
26, 1942
County Meeting
reports
nothing much except those members wishing to be Defense Factory Guards
to
see Al Lockley. Ice skating rink committee reported rink not fit for
skating. (Nothing changes, Fedele.) Talked about forming Sons
of
American Legion. Two more Defense Bonds purchased. Voted to open
account in
Ontario Bank. Ladies Night to be March 4th and would have steak. Post
to rent
safe deposit box. Post to investigate if it is liable for income tax.
Voted
to bond Finance Officer and Adjutant. Voted to table Sons of Legion for
now.
Voted to have snow cleaned of ice rink at our expense. We will contact
Mrs.
Pearsall for permission and hire a plow to remove snow. (I believe
I just
heard this.) Voted to spend $150 for Civil Defense preparations. (Letter
is attached to the minutes requesting this from the Town Supervisor.
Money was to send some one to Civil Defense School to learn about same
and come
back and teach Duties of Civil Defense to volunteers. Al Lockley was
appointed.)
March
12 &
March
25, 1942
Myron Orbaker,
Chairman
of the Town Salvage Committee, spoke about saving of different salvage
usually
burned or thrown away and how valuable it would be to the war effort.
Voted
to have regular clean-up nite in April and combine it with picking up
of salvage.
It was reported thru the kind assistance of Attorney Bill Barrett that
we would
not have to pay income tax. Voted to give Bill a Social Club membership
and
key to Club rooms. (Bill later went into the service, became a
member and
Commander of the Post.) Voted at County Meeting that Al Lockley
head the
Wayne County Legion Defense Committee. Ladies Night cost $85.98. Voted
to buy
vacuum cleaner. Voted to buy new sink and cabinet with modern equipment
at the
cost of $115.00. Voted to buy a mimeograph machineat cost of $l8.00.
Blood
Bank would be in town, all should give. State Commander's Dinner would
be in
Palmyra, $1.25 per plate. Salvage Nite to be April 9. Committee
appointed to
look into cost of building Observation Posts for spotting enemy
aircraft. Brought
up about telephones for Air Raid Wardens. Voted to put $500 in Defense
Fund
for things as they come up. Discussed about sending championship school
basketball
team to New York. Due to war could not do it. Talked about buying
jackets for
team. $l00 given to Seniors for their trip. Three boys going to Boys
State.
April
23, 1942
Post will buy
jackets
for basketball team. Clean-up night was held on April 9. Letter from
Rotary
thanking us for our help. Girl Scouts were given $104 for their
activities.
Voted to pay Williamson 50% of the cost of sending the Sun to all the
boys
in the service and this to be done for the duration of the war. Post
will
buy 25 white helmets for the local Auxiliary Police, at a cost of $4.00
a
piece. (I believe there a couple of these up in the archives.)
May
14 & May
28,
1942
Basketball jacket
were
ordered. Boys State would be in Manulis, NY. Four boys from Wayne
County would
go. Gas rationing was main thing discussed at County meeting.
Permission given
to Albert Young to use Legion chairs for funerals as often as necessary.
(Young Funeral Home.) County Commander stated that the boys going
into
the service be given a proper send off. Our Post will cooperate in this
matter (and they did). The subject of our soldiers joining the
Legion when come home brought up and discussed. Was laid on the table. (I
don't know what the problem was.) Tom Vanderbilt chosen for Boys
State.
27 members at Memorial Day service at Sunnyside.
June
11 & June
25,
1942
Program was set up by County and Posts to give boys going into the service proper send off. Small gifts would be given. It was carried to invite returning soldiers to join the Post. Meeting to be held at the school for all observers. 8th Grade American Legion awards to be given in Marion and Ontario next year. (Remember no posts in those towns yet.) National Commander requested all Posts collect old phonograph records which could be turned in and new ones made for use in the Army camps. Report given on the Observation Posts. Voted to buy Art Wallace's trailer to be used for a Observation Post. Not to exceed $500. Voted to have toilets made for Observation Posts. Voted to have phone installed in Ray DeHonds house for duration. He was head observer. July
9, 1942
World War II is in full steam, guys from town are leaving for the service and the Legion is doing its part on the home front. We now continue with the last six months of 1942. It was reported that
the basketball team had received their jackets. They were pleased with
them and thanked the Post. Lights had been installed at the Kenyon Rd.
lookout post and a phone at De Honds. Voted to buy a trailer for $600
for the north post on Kenyon Rd. Machine committee instructed to reopen
equipment.
July
23, 1942
Trailer had been
purchased for the sum of $450. AI Lockley appointed inspector of
lookout posts in northern Wayne county. Adrian Van Kouwenberg reported
he was at Sodus when the boys left that week and each boy was given a
package from the committee. The cost of the package was $.39 and each
contents unknown. (1 remember getting a package in 1944, writing
paper etc..)
August
6, 1942
A meeting would be
held at the school for lookout observers. It was explained how gas
rationing would work for the observers. Communication was read
pertaining to Navy Dept. offering jobs in construction for the duration
at a salary of $55 to $125 a month and keeps. (I believe this could
have been for Sampson Training Center. It was started in 1942. Good
wages for those days.) Voted to buy the radio that had been used
on a trial basis. Purchase price $90. Post voted to pay the cost of
$.30 per photograph of the boys in the service. Reported that 2050 old
records had been turned in. There were 450 more in Marion to be brought
in.
August
27, 1942
Another salvage
drive was to be had on November 8th. Legion will help. L. L. Blake
brought up proposition to give all service people a 32 page booklet to
enter service information. This would be helpful in later years. Voted
to purchase booklets. It was voted to have this a joint venture with
the Rotary as they were doing things for the servicemen also. Legion
donated $10 to Mountain Camp. Voted to buy 2 electric heaters at $25
each for the observation posts.
September
10, 1942
Finances were pretty
good in September, 1942. Checking had $3021.35 Int. Acct. Williamson
Bank $6576.16, Ontario Bank $1005.00. War Bonds $3330. Reported 2600
old phonograph records had been sent in. 500 more on hand to be sent. A
book The History of the American Legion in New York was presented to
the library Voted to pay present members dues for 1942 and 1943. New
members dues to be $3.00. Election of officers were held and Marenus
Peterham was elected Commander. (Jack's father. Jack would later
become a Post Commander.)
September
24, 1942
It was suggested by
the chairman of the mobilization committee that a bomb squad be
organized. They would go to the site of the landings and determine
conditions whether bomb had exploded or was a dud or time fused. Four
members volunteered. Voted to sponsor Girl Scout campout as in the
past. Voted to check over the relic display to see if anything can be
given to the salvage drive. Voted to buy 25 yr. pins for eligible
members.
October
8, 1942
Salvage work detail
ready and have trucks lined up. Committee appointed to get speaker for
Armistice nite and any boys home from the service be invited.
October
22, 1942
Salvage drive would
be headed by a parade with school band, Red Cross workers, Legion,
Rotary , Police, Wardens, trucks and helpers. They would march from
school to Bennett St. and to parking lot where L. L. Blake would give
opening address and the salvage drive would begin. (Everyone got
behind the war effort.) It was voted to give all shells and heavy
stuff in the relic case to the scrap drive. Rifles to remain in the
Post. Reported that Norris Sutherland (Game Warden in town)
had a deer he would cut up and Legion could give to some needy family.
November
24, 1942
It was reported that the local draft board would like help on borderline cases. Would welcome Legion members input. The Honor Roll Board was brought up. Dedication to be in the High School Dec. 7th. at 8:00 PM. Rev. Walvoord would be the speaker. (Ray Walvoord's father.) Honor Roll would be presented to the town by W. Horton (Rotary) and accepted by L. L. Blake, Town Supervisor. Board will be kept up to date for the duration of the war. Legion will attend in a body with uniforms if you have one. (This Honor Roll was around for a long time. It ended up in Young Funeral Home garage where Jack Peterham and I rescued it. We set it up in the Legion on display for many years until it became pretty raggedy. It was disassembled but we still have the name cards with the hopes of some day putting something together.) Scrap drive committee reported that about 190 tons of scrap had been brought in. 55 tons of which the owner would be paid for it. Gross value $1300 of which $900 could be used for war relief purposes. Donations made to Community Chest and VA Christmas going home fund. State Commanders banquet to be $1.50 per plate. The idea of setting up of a fund for widows of members discussed and committee formed. (The beginning of the first trust fund.) Voted to give piano to Sampson Naval Base if they would like it. 3 alert calls reported at observation posts. Drawing for 10 lb. turkey won by Harold Cheetham. (You might know.) December
10, 1942
Ray Fuller appointed
Chief Observer on Reservoir Hill. Voted to buy assistant observers $10
Christmas presents. Voted to send both members of the Legion and Social
Club who are in the service a carton of cigarettes and pay their dues
for 1943. Cleaning women of Post to be given $10 Christmas present.
Legion invited to Methodist Church on Sunday, Dec. 18th, to hear an
address by a Chaplain from Sampson Naval Base. Post will go to Sodus to
see the boys off next week.
December
24, 1942
John Brown, a social
member, was in Sodus Hospital with fractured arms and legs. Voted to
give him his favorite medicine. Voted to send every social member a
dues notice and rules of social members. (Sounds familiar.) Cooks to
put on special meal in January. All dues must be paid to attend.
Well, the first year of the War has gone by and the Post really did their part. I would imagine other things were done that never got into the minutes. 1943 will be coming up next. January
14, 1943
Commander was
Marenus Peterham (Jack's dad). Letters read from servicemen,
thanking Post
for smokes. Chaplain of the Sampson Naval Training Station sent letter
thanking
Post for offer of the piano but asked Post to retain same to later
date. (We sure retained it for a long time. Just go rid of it a
couple
years ago.) Voted to pay half the subscriptions to the Williamson
Sun for
boys in service. Discussion was held pertaining to changing the meeting
night
to Wednesday night. Stores were open on Wednesday nights so those
living out
of town could get groceries and come to meeting. (Remember gas
rationing
was in full force at that time.) The commander and adjutant would
decide.
Voted to go to one meeting a month for the duration. Special meetings
could
be called if necessary. Voted to discontinue phone in Ray DeHonds house
as
phones in observation posts were taken out. (The posts were closed
in 1943
as the chance of enemy planes had been eliminated.) Voted to buy
$20 worth
of playing cards for boys in service.
February
10, 1943
Trailer on Kenyon
Road
will be sold for no less than $300. Bill Barrett now in service and
wrote
Post thanking them for all the favors. Information given about forming
a scout
troop. Tabled until Post could get more facts. Committee formed to look
into
the purchase of rain or top coats to use at military funerals when the
weather
was bad.
March
10, 1943
Sum of $100 was
donated
to Red Cross. Claude Nevelzers Social Club dues were paid because he
had plowed
paths to the observations booths. Voted to contact all men of the
present war (WW II) that have a honorable discharge and try to
induce them
to join the Post. There was considerable discussion in regard to
draftees
and their eligibility for a discharge from the service of the U.S.A.
(I
don't know what that was all about...) Top coats were discussed,
could
buy coats for $37.50. Proposition tabled until next meeting.
April
15, 1943
60 tons of salvage
was
collected. Voted to sell trailer on Kenyon Road for $250. Donald Mahieu
joined
the Legion Post and was the first WW II soldier to join. (I believe
he
was not in the service too long and was discharged because of medical
reasons.) County meeting report stated that Palmyra had a new Post
home. Voted to buy
more service books. (These were given to all men going into the
service
from town.) Voted to print 100 Introductory Cards to be given to
men in
the service. (These were the Legionnaire in the Making cards we
used for
a number of years.) Post would send 3 boys to Boys State to he held
in
Manulis, N.Y., Marion, Ontario; and Williamson. (Be prepared for a
shock
in the July minutes.) East Williamson Fire Co. thanked Legion for
helping
dedicate their Honor Roll. (Most all organizations had their own
individual
Honor Roll. We have Granges' upstairs in the archives.) Voted to
attend
memorial services at E. Williamson Reformed Church Sunday before
Memorial Day.
Minister would be asked to give the address at the cemetery. Voted to
have
signs painted on each end of town. Voted to appoint a committee to get
flowers
for service men who lost their lives in the service and to contact
families
to see if they would want a military funeral.
May
13, 1943
County men reported
636
members in the county. Boys State was canceled because of gas
rationing. Post
voted to give boys a $25 defense bond. Sodus Post asked the Post to
take charge
of sending the boys off on Wednesday, May 25. Post to furnish speaker,
with
the colors there and as many members present as possible. (Most
everyone
leaving for the service left from Sodus.) Memorial Day to be at
Pultneyville.
Post would sponsor a defense stamp sale at school with a $25 defense
bond to
winner.
May
23, 1943
At a special meeting
of
the Post it was voted to cancel the Memorial Day services because of
the gas
shortage.
June
10, 1943
Mountain Camp needed
funds.
Post sent $10. 400 to 500 Legionnaire in the Making cards had been
sent. Voted
to sponsor a Boy Scout Troop in conjunction with the Rotary and Orphix.
Richard
Bilger joined the Post. (He recently passed away. He went into the
service
from East Williamson but settled out of state and was no longer a
member of
the Post.)
July
8, 1943
Boys State award was
given
to Orlo Plyter ($25 defense bond). (Remember the trip to Manulis
was canceled
because of the shortage of gas. I was glad to do my part but
disappointed
I could not go.) Letter of thanks read from Orlo Plyter. Boy Scouts
would
start this fall. (Here is something I didn't know.) The piano
was loaned
to the Jamaican labor camp for recreational purposes. (The camp was
located
south of the school, buildings still there and are apartments now.)
Legion
signs on the ends of town had been painted.
July
8, 1943
It was stated that
the
State needed fruit inspectors. If anyone interested the pay was $45 a
week.
Sold the toilet at the north post for $5. Voted to send Chas.
Vanmaldeghem
a box of cigars.(He was in the hospital with wounds suffered on
Guadalcanal,
So. Pacific.)
September
9, 1943
Voted to pay
Adjutant $50
and Finance Officer $25 per year because of their extra burden. Letter
was
read from Linwood DeHond who was in North Africa. Finance Officer gave
report.
Post was doing real good. Peter Van Horn was elected Commander. Dues
for 1943
and 1944 to be $2.00.
October
14, 1943
L. L. Blake
appointed liaison
officer to contact boys getting out of service and induce then to join.
Another
scrap drive would be held in November. Mr. E. R. Vadeboncoeur of
W.S.Y.R. Syracuse
radio station would be Armistice night speaker. Post would eat at Post
Home
and then have the speaker at the school for more seating.
November
9, 1943
Discussion was held
pertaining
to the Legion benefit fund. (Our present death benefit trust fund.)
Insurance companies would not handle this but we could put $23,000 in a
Trust
fund. It would pay a $250 benefit at the time of a members death. This
was
laid on the table until next meeting. It was brought up that we needed
more
room for meetings etc. Dr. Sperry's offices were to become vacant next
to the
meeting room. Cheetham gave an outline on what he would do in renting
them
to the Post. (There was apparently much discussion on this. Too
much to
put down here. They tabled it until next meeting so they could get more
information
from Mr. Cheetham.) $300 was given to the Community Chest.
November
29, 1943
(Special
Meeting)
Discussion was again
held
about the Dr. Sperry rooms with Mr. Cheetham. Post voted to rent their
present
rooms plus Sperry rooms for a period of 4 years for the sum of $2,408
paid
in advance. (Leave it to Cheetham.) Post donated to Poppy
Fund. Post
donated to Going Home Fund. Voted to have Death Benefit Fund
proposition drawn
up by an attorney and presented at the next meeting. A letter was read
from
the County adjutant asking the Post to meet at the Sodus Post rooms on
Dec.
9th. 1943 for the purpose of attending the presentation of the
Distinguished
Service Cross to Capt. Clifford Raymer posthumously by request of the
late
Captain's Widow. (Capt. Raymer was the first person to lose his
life from
Williamson. He gave his live in North Africa. Although he was not a
Williamson
native he had married a Williamson girl.)
December
16, 1943
Death Benefit
Fund was
agreed upon and put into effect. Voted to give Post cleaning lady $10
Christmas
present. Voted to rearrange the light fixtures in the Post rooms.
National
Commanders dinner in Rochester to cost $2.50 per plate.Historians
Note:
1943 was a big year for the Post. Finances were good. Many local men
were being
discharged from the service. They had been drafted at a older age (35
to 45).
I guess the Army figured that they were getting enough younger men.
Most of
these men joined the Post, so membership was increasing. 1944 will be
another
big year for the Post. It will be a big year for me as I graduated from
school
and was drafted.
Capt. Clifford Raymer, May 6, 1943 Cpl. Abraham Nolan, Sept. 13, 1943 Sgt. Wesley Fletcher, Dec. 19, 1943* * Wes Fletcher was the first Williamson man to lose his life. He graduated from school and lived here. The other men had married Williamson girls. Third
full year of World War II
Historian's Note: I was drafted into the Navy.  Pete Van Horn was Commander. Reported that County committee would give $25 to cigarette fund for boys in service over seas. Details were given on Death Benefit fund. Voted that Trustees of the Post be authorized to establish the Trust Fund. Voted to send $25 to State for cigarettes and Post name be stamped on each pack. Voted to transfer monies to Trust Fund. Ladies night was discussed. It was also discussed to have a stag night and invite the Social Club, thereby making the collection of dues easier. Voted to do this. Ladies night would be held on February 22nd. Voted to have the fuse box installed in the club rooms. It was in Decker and Mullies store below the rooms and not too handy when the store was closed. February
10, 1944
By-laws were being
worked
on. (Nothing changes.) Five boys from the county will go to
Boys State
at Manulis. Voted to send three boys from our Post. One each from
Williamson,
Marion and Ontario. (Still no Posts in these two towns.)
Voted to
help men returning from service with their mustering out pay.
March
9, 1944
Rules for the first
Trust
Fund were stated. (There are no survivors of this fund. They were
WW I
men.) Voted to give Red Cross $150. Voted to sponsor 4 girl scouts
to
go to Camp Beechwood. The cost of $28 a girl. Committee appointed to
handle
the sending of cigarettes to men from Williamson, Marion and Ontario in
the
service. Resolution was attached to the minutes and a copy sent to Mrs.
Nellie
Fletcher pertaining to the death of her son Wesley Fletcher in action.
(As you remember he was the first man to lose his life from
Williamson.)
April
13, 1944
Donation cans had been put in different stores etc. to collect money for cigarettes. Reported that donations were light and that the can in the Ontario Post Office had been stolen. (What's new?) Collections were $54.11 from cans and $138 from jackpot collections. (? ? ? ? ) Reported that men in service did not need a hunting and fishing license when home on leave. Voted to cooperate with Rotary on next salvage drive. Voted to set up a committee to collect insignia from all the men in service. $50 to be used for this purpose. (L. L. Blake did a great job on this. The display with the insignia is in the archives upstairs. It was in Blakes drug store window on main street during the last part of the war.) May
11, 1944
Cigarette committee
reported
that 431 cartons of Old Golds had been sent overseas. Salvage drive to
be
held May 18th. Everyone to meet at post rooms and after drive come back
for
a lunch. 28 members attended the Memorial Day services at the East
Williamson
Reformed Church. Memorial Day services were held at Sunnyside.
June
8, 1944
Boys chosen for Boys
State
were Richard Johnson, Williamson; William Cole, Marion; and J. McCrea,
Ontario.
Reported that there was still one vacancy in the County and that Lindy
Van
Kouwenberg be sent from Williamson. Stated that orders had been
received to
close down the observation posts. Trailer to be given to Boy Scouts for
their
use. Rising vote of thanks was given to Ray Fuller for his efforts in
manning
the posts. Voted to give a him a quart of good liquor. Voted to pay the
tax
on pool tables and other equipment.
July
13, 1944
(I had graduated
from
school and was waiting.) Cigarette report was given. Had taken in
$1195.08
from cans and jack pots. Spent $935.18. 7th. District would hold their
meeting
at the Post July 23rd. Lunch would be served.
August
15, 1944
Nominating committee
was
appointed. Disposal of observation posts discussed.
September
14, 1944
Cigarette supply had
run
out. Voted to send candy to servicemen for Christmas. Another salvage
drive
will be held on September 28th and a supper will be held at the club
rooms
after. Voted to close Sons of American Legion account as most of sons
were
in the service. Nominating committee nominated George Shermer for
Commander.
October
12, 1944
Historians note:
I was
drafted and went to Sampson NTC on October 3, 1944. No more waiting.)
George Shermer was the new Commander. (George's Service Citation,
when
he served with Gen. Pershing in Mexico, hangs on the wall in the Post.
He
later went to Europe in WW I.) Armistice night dinner to be held in
the
club rooms. Voted to by a Addressograph machine for $30. No meeting
would
be held in November due to Armistice night. A resolution was spread on
the
minutes and a copy sent to the family of Ellis Heath who lost his life
while
flying a fighter plane over France in combat.
November
11, 1944
There had to be some
business
conducted Armistice night. $350 to be given to the Community Chest. $25
given
to the Home Going Fund. $100 given to Wayne County Ladies Auxiliary to
carry
on their work in the different hospitals. Servicemen who were home were
introduced:
3 from Navy, 1 from the Marines and 1 from the Army. Also present was
Ensign
Ernest Phillips. Lindy Van Kouwenberg, who had attended Boys State, was
present
and gave a picture to the Post of the flag raising at Boys State and
thanked
the Post for sending him. (Lindy is a Past Commander and a member
of the
Post.) Speaker of the evening was Corp. William Chase of Rochester
who
gave a very interesting talk on New Guinea and Australia and a vivid
description
of the Japanese method of fighting. 30 seconds of silence was held in
memory
for those had made the supreme sacrifice.
December
14, 1944
(Historian's
Note: I
finished Boot camp on December 12th , and came home during the great
blizzard
I described at the January meeting. Gazuber depth.) Voted to close
the
equipment on Sundays unless an attendant was on duty. (Lots of
discussion
on this before settled. Apparently players were going house to house
trying
to get change.) Voted to hold Social Club membership to 60 members.
Noted
that the collection of Social Clubs dues was slow and that if they were
not
paid by February 1st they be dropped. Gave the Post cleaning lady $10
for
Christmas.
World
War
II
winding down and will end.
National Commanders dinner to be in New York City. $6.00 per plate for dinner. Commander Sermer reported that a FBI agent had called on him to make plans for cooperation next year. (I do not know what that was about.) Ladies night to be Feb. 22nd. Many letters of thanks read from men over seas for the fruit cakes and cigarettes that were sent to them. $50 was sent to help with expenses of going away kits. Legion members and Social Club members had a fine supper and listened to AI Sission of WHAM as speaker. February
8, 1945
Mrs. Veerman
thanked
the Legion for their splendid attendance at the memorial service held
for
her son at the East Williamson Reformed church. Her son was killed
somewhere
in Holland. Comrade Blake gave a talk regarding a memorial for
vets
of WW I and WW II. He stated that he had sent letters to all vets
asking them
what they would like best and they seemed to like a bowling hall,
community
center and an airfield. (I guess this never got off the ground.)
Ladies
nite was held on Feb. 22nd. Chicken dinner was served to 135 persons.
There
was entertainment, bingo and cards.
March
8, 1945
It was agreed to
bring
in Legion magazines which would in turn be sent to men in the service.
Paper
drive was to be held instead of scrap drive. Red Cross was given $200.
FBI
had advised the Post it was hiring High school girls for finger print
and
secretarial work for $1750 a year. Voted to close club rooms at
midnight to
conform with the governments regulation on club rooms during the war.
April
12, 1945
Voted to buy full
page
ad in the Sun for the War Bond drive. Voted to buy venetian blinds for
the
Odd Fellows Hall as it was being used for a youth center. Post voted to
buy
bowling shoes to be used at the VA hospital in Canandaigua. Jacob Boise
was
no longer able to take care of amusement center due to ill health. (He
maintained the equipment for many years.) Party was held for him.
May
10, 1945
Decoration Day was
brought
up. To be held at Pultneyville. Girl Scouts were given $120 for their
camping
program. War Memorial was again brought up. Nothing decided on. Les
Blake
thanked the post for the box of candy sent to him while in the V A
hospital.
Capt. Dick Burcroff sent a letter asking about joining the legion. (He
was a captain in the merchant Marine and had many harrowing
experiences. He
became a member.) Discussion had on purchasing uniforms for new
members
coming in. Same rules would apply as in the past. Post to look into new
parade
flag for the school. (It was noted in the end of the June minutes
that
the Post had attended Memorial services for three men who had given
their
lives in the war. This was just the beginning of bringing home the
remains
of other casualties from this area.)
July
12, 1945
No report on
purchase of
school flag. Royal Uniform would measure for uniforms. Roland Van Lare
thanked
post for cigars sent to him while he was in the hospital. Nominating
committee
appointed.
August
9, 1945
Voted to buy a flag
and
pole with stand to be used in the school auditorium and for the flag
transfer
each year. Boy Scout comm. appointed. Youth Center at Odd Fellows Hall
to
be closed. Blind comm. discharged. Town clerk would make copies of
discharges
for free. Legion dues for '45 and '46 to be $2.00. Voted to pay Finance
officer
and adjutant $50.00. John Fox was elected Commander. He was the first
WW II
man to become Post commander.
September
14, 1945
Amusement center was
closed
until further notice. Voted to purchase a piano. Voted to form a
American
Legion Band. Lt. Vivian Cheetham lost her life in a auto accident in
California.
She was the daughter of Harold Cheetham. Resolution was sent to the
family.
October
11, 1945
School flag had
arrived
and would be presented at an assembly at school. Youth Canteen asked
for donation
to continue. Post to investigate to find out what their programs were.
Subject
brought up about sending Christmas packages to service people. It was
decided
to discontinue the program as so many service men were coming home. (Nothing
was noted in the minutes about the war ending.) Nothing new on
Veterans
Memorial. Voted to only have Legionnaires and servicemen come to the
Armistice
night dinner.
December
13, 1945
New members were
introduced.
Miss Jones of the Youth Canteen had been contacted. A satisfactory
reply was
not received so subject was dropped. Flag had been presented to the
school.
Voted to give cleaning lady $10.00. Amusement center to be open only
when
cashier present. Vote to stop the cigarette fund. Resolution was drawn
up
regarding the death of Lt. Jack Meinhardt, he was missing in the
Pacific and
finally listed dead. State Commanders dinner in Lyons to be $1.50 per
plate.
December
18, 1945
- Special
Meeting
The purpose of this
meeting
as explained by comrade Les Blake was for the assistance or aid to our
comrades
and their families who lost all their household goods and belongings in
the
fire which destroyed the apartments and furniture store in the
Famsworth Block
on the night of Dec. 13, 1945. (This was across from the Candy
Kitchen
where Ashley Insurance is now. I came home on leave a few days after it
happened.) $500 each was given to the Gerald Cooney family,
Clarence Nevelzer family,
Walter Morganthaler family and the Boyer family whose brother had made
the
supreme sacrifice in the war. Permission was given to the 40 et 8 to
meet
in the club rooms on Sunday, January 13, 1946.
1946 January
10, 1946
Ladies night
chairman appointed. Voted to give all WW II vets who had joined the
Post a Legion pin. National Commanders Dinner to be in Rochester.
February
14, 1946
Membership at 186
members. Requested that Post sponsor a Boy Scout Troop. It was
requested that any veteran who had malaria while in the service to
report same to Lyons V A office. $20.00 donated to Legion Mountain
Camp. This camp was described to the WW II men. Voted to have an
athletic committee appointed to look into bowling, basketball and
softball teams. Ladies night to held at the High School. Decided to
wear civilian clothing to ladies night. (Must be the men had worn
their uniforms to ladies night.)
March
14, 1946
Ladies night cost
$600. L.L. Blake stated that all the service insignia available had
been collected and they should be displayed in a suitable case etc. in
the Post rooms. Special firing squad was to be appointed for military
funerals. Post would sell 1,000 poppies. Subject of having a Legion
Band was discussed. Red Cross was given $200.
April
11, 1946
Softball would be
played during daylight hours not under lights. Poppies had arrived and
Junior class was going to sell them. Voted to give Youth Canteen $75.
Memorial Day will be in Williamson. The death of Earl Foss was
reported. Although he had not joined the Legion a letter will be sent
to the family. (He had gone thru the war unharmed and had been
discharged from the service. 1 was at home on leave at the time and had
talked with him that day. He wrapped his vehicle around a tree that
evening.) Voted that Social Club members be barred from club rooms
on meeting nights.
May
9, 1946
18 members attended
the State Commanders Banquet at Lyons. Registration book was obtained
and voted to have a suitable stand made to hold it. Post rooms needed
painting. Landlord to be contacted to see if he would do same. (Ha!)
Memorial Day held at Sunnyside. 100 members present.
June
13, 1946
Band Committee was
working hard to organize. Total membership in the County was 1939.
Voted to pay for lights at Fireman's Park for the Sunday School League.
Subject of building a new Post Home was brought up and discussed. (This
was the beginning of many long meetings and heated discussions.
Remember this is 1946 and five years later we moved. This will come up
in the ensuing history many times.)
July
11, 1946
After much debate it
was voted to give the Girl Scouts $200. Junior class sold $35 worth of
poppies. Voted to increase the salaries of Adjutant and Finance officer
to $100.
Historians Note: I was discharged from the Navy on July
31st. and started attending Legion Meetings. I had joined the Post in
1945 while home on leave. My first job with the Post was working with
the kitchen committee.
August
8, 1946
Abe Datthyn. WW I
vet. was elected Commander for 1946-47. Voted to have the building
committee do the following:
1. Authorized to obtain prices and options on available
sites.
2. To consult an architect on preliminary sketches on plans
after a
site is chosen.
3. To commence proceedings for the incorporation of the Post.
4. To inspect other Legion homes and rooms.
Boys State would be held at Colgate this year. Bowling team
was
organized. Dues to be $2.00 for the coming year. Blood donor chairman
was appointed.
September
12, 1946
Band report was
given. They would need about $900 for uniforms, instruments and music.
Band had played at the Palmyra Fair. Voted give band $1,000. (Elmer
Nalgee and Ray DePauw were key men in the success of this band. They
were fun to march with.) Reported that the Marion Post had
received their charter. Bill Barrett of the building committee reported
Joe Clark had been contacted on his land. (This was the area in and
around Circle Drive. It was an old apple orchard at that time. Circle
Drive was not there at that time.) The committee had also visited
several Legion Homes in Rochester. Special meeting to be held on
September 26th to select sites. Voted to give $100 to Pultneyville
Yacht Club for their harbor fund. Voted to sponsor a basketball team. (Picture
on the wall at the Post Home.) Voted to have 3 bowling teams if
necessary.
October
10, 1946
Reported band
rehearsals were going fine. Nothing to report on Grange Hall. Legion
members could look at Grange after the meeting. Voted to give
basketball team $350 for uniforms. Voted to buy bowling team jackets.
Armistice night dinner committee appointed.
November
14, 1946
Building committee
still working. L.A. Wilson property discussed. (This was where the
parking lot West of the Laundry is located.) Voted to continue
sending the paper to men still in the service.
December
12, 1946
No report from the
building committee. Band doing good. Basketball team tied for second
place. Cleaning lady to be given $10 for Christmas.
|
you can see at the Post
home we do not have his picture. Charles
Brasser
was elected Post Commander, so for all intent and purposes Brasser was
the
first Post Commander. Minutes do not have anything about the transfer
of command. There is
a skip of about four months of no minutes.