At the American Legion 93rd birthday party, Post 83 awarded Commander Anthony Huntington the Legionnaire of the Yard Award. Commander Huntington is a 10-year member and a veteran of the New York Army National Guard, having served a combat tour in Iraq.
The party was held on Wednesday, March 14. It was the 60th birthday of Rae Bailey who was killed in action in Vietnam in Oct. 1970. His sister Evelyn was there to honor him.
Henry Gurney and Bob LaFrance were recognized for being the Post’s senior members with 66 years long and faithful service. Also recognized were John N. Smith 60 years, Jim King 50 years, Robert Putorti, Anthony Scrimo and George Enny 35 years.
Auxiliary Awards were presented to Barbara Neddo, Deborah Guitar, Dominica Scrimo and Beverly Ames by the unit president, Barbara Riley.
American Legion Appreciations were presented to Robert Carswell, Kent Nichols and Charles Manell.
The Sons of the American Legion presented a speaker’s podium to the Post and dedicated it to James Lafayette.
Several other awards and certificates were presented.
In attendance were Gold Star Mother Catharine Aiken, Whitehall Mayor and Mrs. Pete Telisky, Oratorical contestants Ryan St Claire and Carianna Jones and their families. Guest speaker was Margaret Folk, vice president of the Dept. of New York American Legion.