By Doug La Rocque
To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order and to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation. [private]This is just a small part of the preamble of the American Legion. Taconic Valley Post 937, formed in 1922, is currently seeking new members, both young and old, to join their ranks to help support and honor fellow Taconic Valley veterans along with maintaining a place where veterans can come together for fun, relaxation and to plan new ways to serve their respective communities here in the Taconic Valley. Post 937’s newly elected Commander, Chris Lecce, tells the Eastwick Press his main focus is to bring new life into the post by increasing “active” membership while also establishing new goals to achieve with respect to honoring our veterans both past and present, veteran’s assistance and community service.
The Post currently meets in the Watipi Building. Commander Lecce is hopeful that the Post may soon acquire its own building, which will bring with it the need for repairs and renovations, both interior and exterior. Being a small Post, assistance would most certainly be needed and appreciated, be it in the form of labor, material, monetary donations and even prayers. Several veteran’s assistance and Post fund raisers, entertaining games and competitions, are also high on the agenda, as well as bolstering community awareness with respect to Patriotism, Americanism, flag etiquette, honor and loyalty to flag and country.
Veterans interested in joining Post 937 need not live in Berlin, as the Post serves the entire Taconic Valley. The Post and women’s auxiliary meet every first Wednesday of the month at 19:00 (7 pm) at the Watipi Bldg. (old Berlin train station) at 15 Railroad Avenue in Berlin. You can learn more about the Post by visiting their website www.nypost937.org or by calling 518-658-0552 or 518-658-2757.
The Post’s recently elected officers for the 2016-2017 year are as follows:
Commander: Chris Lecce
Adjutant: Albert Maus
1st Vice Commander: John Cornwall
Financial: Roger Lemere
2nd Vice Commander: Walter H. O’Neil
Sgt. At Arms: Walter Walters [/private]