The American Legion Post 59 of Fredonia, located in Fredonia, NY, recently celebrated its 105th birthday with a banquet. The event was attended by members of the Legion and honored guests. Commander SFC Denise Puskar delivered a speech highlighting the history and accomplishments of The American Legion. During the banquet, awards were presented to Jennifer Hewitt, Nancy York, Steve Smith, and Jasen Erick for their contributions to the Legion and the community. Puskar emphasized the challenges faced by disabled veterans after World War I and the founding of The American Legion as a response to the government's disregard for their needs. She also highlighted the Legion's ongoing advocacy for veterans' healthcare, rehabilitation, children and youth programs, national security, and Americanism. Puskar mentioned the Legion's role in passing Resolution 407 in 1923, which condemned groups fostering racial, religious, or class strife, and the GI Bill of Rights in 1944, which provided education and loan opportunities for veterans.
In a separate event, Navy veteran Frankie Gimmelli recently celebrated his centennial birthday at Van Rensselaer Manor in Troy, NY. Gimmelli, who served as a gunner’s mate on the USS Mosley during World War II, was surrounded by friends, family, and special guests. He grew up in Waterford as a first-generation American citizen and still remembers all his neighbors on his block. Gimmelli was also a volunteer firefighter for over 70 years and has been a member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) for ten years. State Senator Jake Ashby, Rensselaer County legislators, and a representative for County Executive Steve McLaughlin attended the celebration. Gimmelli received a proclamation honoring his milestone birthday and his lifetime of service. He was also presented with 100 birthday cards from the children at Tamarac Elementary School. Gimmelli expressed his gratitude and emphasized the importance of honoring all veterans for their service, hoping that there will never be another war.
Meanwhile, the J.Q. Adams American Legion Riders Post 223 in Killeen, Texas, is thriving after hosting its first Stars and Stripes Rally. The post nearly shut down in 2019 due to reduced membership and funding problems, but it has since been revived. The fundraiser car show event attracted people of all ages, and the funding will be used for building maintenance. One of the cars on display was a 1965 AC Cobra built by Killeen resident Jesse Coulter. The car took 17 months and over $65,000 to build. The American Legion Riders Post 223 can be contacted at 254-634-8091.
The American Legion Post 59 banquet, Frankie Gimmelli's birthday celebration, and the successful fundraiser by American Legion Riders Post 223 highlight the resilience and community support for American Legion posts across different regions.
Sources:
- [7bc99ba0]: The American Legion Post 59 celebrates 105th anniversary with banquet
- [aef19030]: Local veteran celebrates 100th birthday
- [202a92f0]: American Legion Post 223 thriving again after fundraiser