Norwich Legion celebrates 100 years
NORWICH – The Norwich American Legion Post 189 will host a dinner and dance celebration in observance of the 100th anniversary of its founding this Saturday.
The celebration begins with a social hour at 5 p.m. at Post 189 on Sheldon Street in Norwich, before dinner at 6 p.m. and ceremonies at 7 p.m. From 8 p.m. to 10, musician Paul Ryder will perform country and western music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
"It's a celebration of the national American Legion and anybody that follows it, which would be the department of New York, and this post: Post 189," said Ed Tucker, 100th anniversary celebration committee chairman.
During the ceremonial portion of the celebration, Tucker and Post 189 Commander Willard Griffin will present certificates to any of the post's 185 current members in attendance. Tucker said the two longest current members have been with the local legion for 73 years each.
Local legislators have been invited to attend, Griffin said, and Joe Angelino will be reading a proclamation on behalf of Assemblyman Clifford Crouch at the celebration.
In addition to the national organization celebrating its centennial anniversary, Griffin said the Norwich American Legion will also be 100 years old officially this July.
As the committee chairman for the celebration, Tucker conducted research on the founding of the local legion post. He found that in 1919, John Stebbins was organizing a Fourth of July parade in Norwich when a question was raised: should an affiliate organization be formed with the newly founded American Legion?
Tucker said Stebbins was charged with investigating similar organizations and drawing up plans for Norwich's very own. A committee was formed, made up of Stebbins, Charley Riley, and Henry Donaldson, whom then met with an American Legion organizer, P.M. Hart, on July 24, 1919.
"Fourteen signed up that evening [on July 24] and the charter for Post 189 was signed on July 31, 1919," wrote Tucker, adding that Post 189's first officers were Commander Earl Camp, 1st Vice President Wm R. Turner, 2nd Vice President Frank Hewitt, 3rd Vice President James Macksey, Treasurer Stuart C. Nelson, Jr., and member of the executive committee Dr. W.E. Hartigan.
In the early years Post 189 held its meetings wherever there was space available, said Tucker, until in 1944, Frank Zuber donated a property on East Park Place to the Norwich American Legion. Also in 1944, the post was renamed to the Lt. Warren E. Eaton, DSC, Post 189, 10 years after Eaton died in a glider accident.
Tucker continued, "In 1959 the [East Park Place property] was sold to C&U Telephone corporation. Temporary facilities were used until property on Sheldon Street was purchased in 1964."
Today, Post 189 remains at its location at 29 Sheldon Street in Norwich. Tickets for the celebration can be purchased at the bar, and anyone with questions can call the legion at (607) 334-9414.
The celebration begins with a social hour at 5 p.m. at Post 189 on Sheldon Street in Norwich, before dinner at 6 p.m. and ceremonies at 7 p.m. From 8 p.m. to 10, musician Paul Ryder will perform country and western music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
"It's a celebration of the national American Legion and anybody that follows it, which would be the department of New York, and this post: Post 189," said Ed Tucker, 100th anniversary celebration committee chairman.
During the ceremonial portion of the celebration, Tucker and Post 189 Commander Willard Griffin will present certificates to any of the post's 185 current members in attendance. Tucker said the two longest current members have been with the local legion for 73 years each.
Local legislators have been invited to attend, Griffin said, and Joe Angelino will be reading a proclamation on behalf of Assemblyman Clifford Crouch at the celebration.
In addition to the national organization celebrating its centennial anniversary, Griffin said the Norwich American Legion will also be 100 years old officially this July.
As the committee chairman for the celebration, Tucker conducted research on the founding of the local legion post. He found that in 1919, John Stebbins was organizing a Fourth of July parade in Norwich when a question was raised: should an affiliate organization be formed with the newly founded American Legion?
Tucker said Stebbins was charged with investigating similar organizations and drawing up plans for Norwich's very own. A committee was formed, made up of Stebbins, Charley Riley, and Henry Donaldson, whom then met with an American Legion organizer, P.M. Hart, on July 24, 1919.
"Fourteen signed up that evening [on July 24] and the charter for Post 189 was signed on July 31, 1919," wrote Tucker, adding that Post 189's first officers were Commander Earl Camp, 1st Vice President Wm R. Turner, 2nd Vice President Frank Hewitt, 3rd Vice President James Macksey, Treasurer Stuart C. Nelson, Jr., and member of the executive committee Dr. W.E. Hartigan.
In the early years Post 189 held its meetings wherever there was space available, said Tucker, until in 1944, Frank Zuber donated a property on East Park Place to the Norwich American Legion. Also in 1944, the post was renamed to the Lt. Warren E. Eaton, DSC, Post 189, 10 years after Eaton died in a glider accident.
Tucker continued, "In 1959 the [East Park Place property] was sold to C&U Telephone corporation. Temporary facilities were used until property on Sheldon Street was purchased in 1964."
Today, Post 189 remains at its location at 29 Sheldon Street in Norwich. Tickets for the celebration can be purchased at the bar, and anyone with questions can call the legion at (607) 334-9414.
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