Pictured is Stan Janczek and his wife at the VFW Christmas Party. In the background is Sandy Storrs and Roger Carpenter. (Photo by Tom Hughes)
By Commander Jim Brooks
(Canastota, NY- Dec. 2014) Hope everyone had a very happy holiday and a Happy New Year to all. New plans are in the works for 2015. It should be a really good year for the post.
Congratulations to Joyce Gustin and Roger Carpenter for a great Christmas party.
We are hoping to have next year’s party at Clear Path for Veterans in Chittenango.
It would also be nice to see some of our inactive members become more active this coming year.
Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance
By William H. “Bill” Yorton, Past Commander Past Commander & National-Aide-de-Camp and Master of Ceremonies
On December 7, 1941 in honor of all the World War II vets that we have lost and who are still with us.
Years ago I remember standing tall at the Canastota Memorial Park area in a snow storm. Comrades there included Elbert Loucks, Rev. Robert Burgess, Glen Hicks, Dave Taber and Ray Bennett. I believe others there were John DiGeorge, Robert Arnold and Sam Sgroi.
Rev. Burgess had a Taps tape in a cassette. I had an M1Garand with 3 rounds of ammo, saying I hope this rifle does its thing for three rounds. Most of those veterans are no longer with us.
Later as a new incoming Commander, I knew this had to change. With the help of World War II Navy veteran and comrade Jack Rogers we established an indoor program at our newly constructed VFW Post at 3835 E. Canal Street. This program included our comrades from Charles Miller Post 140 and the general public Retired Rear Admiral John Paddock Jr.
We lost comrade Jack Rogers this past year but have gone forth in his and all World War II veterans’ honor with this Sundays Dec. 7 ceremony in remembrance of 73 years ago.
We were viscously attacked that day, “the day that will go down in infamy.”
The speaker for the day was retired Rear Admiral John Paddock, Jr. with a discussion on the Navy, then and now.
Commander Jim Brooks along with American Legion Representative Sue Monette laid wreaths at the front of the post’s Pearl Harbor sign. Charter member and Past Commander in his World War II Navy uniform, Joe Carinci piped up with a boatswains whistle to duty and rang a bell for each ship that was sunk during the raid. There was a loss of more than 2,400 lives.
The American Legion Color Guard fired 21 volleyed as bugler Peter Finocchiaro played Taps on a trumpet. Chaplain Tom Hughes led the benediction. An open house proceeded.
Past Commander and WAVEM President Doug Ginney was the Officer of the Day and led a Pledge to the Flag. He also extended the microphone to the dignitaries, Assemblyman Bill Magee, town of Lenox Supervisor John Pinard, Councilmen John Hadyk and Tom Bush and Marine Corp League Tom Brophy.
Other news
The post home was used for the Santa Breakfast Dec. 6 and a blood drive Dec. 18. The Red Cross reported one of its most successful drives recently, receiving more than 26 pints of blood.