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Gowanda PennySaver News - April 11, 2004

'Happy 85th birthday!’ American Legion
 

Story and Photos by Karen Blake

     At a “Birthday” dinner Saturday, March 20, members and guests of the Gowanda American Legion Post 409 and Auxiliary celebrated the founding of the national American Legion 85 years ago, right after the end of World War II.

     The Gowanda American Legion was formed a year later (1920), with the Ladies Auxiliary established in 1922.

     Veterans organizations have had a long history in the Gowanda area since the Civil War, when a local regiment was formed and enlisted in service in that war.

     The “Birthday” dinner ceremonies and presentations, in memory and honor of all Legionnaires, recognized past and present commanders of the Gowanda Post, presidents of the Auxiliary, and others - and paid a special tribute to those “Prisoners of War” and “Missing in Action.”

     State Senator Patricia McGee sent a resolution passed by the New York State Legislature commemorating the American Legion’s 85th Birthday, citing the veterans organization as “a fraternity based on comradeship born of war service and equitable treatment of all veterans.”
Past/Present Commanders of Post 409
Past/Present Commanders of Post 409 - Seated, from left, are: Scotty Barrie, Leonard Fuller, Eugene Turay and Walter Hach. Standing are: Eugene Widlak, Mark Hebner, Robert Bartlett and Tony Hoppa.
Past/Present Presidents of the Auxiliary
Past/Present Presidents of the Auxiliary - Seated, from left, are: Emily Turay, Gladys VanNote, Denise Trumpore and Betty Allen. Standing are Cattaraugus County Auxiliary first vice president Kathleen O’Connell, Dorothy Smith, Mary Zynda and Nancy Greeley.