Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Post Member Honored for WWII Service

Francis J. Pinkham, a 44 year member of the Post was honored by a Certificate of Honor and a WWII Victory Challenge Coin for his Army service in Europe during WWII.

Francis was Regular Army, enlisting 3 Oct 1940, well before Pearl Harbor. A Field Artilleryman, Francis served in Europe with great distinction and was awarded a Silver Star Medal for heroism in combat. When the War ended, Francis reported that he had twice as many”points” necessary for transfer back to the states. Back home in Milbridge, Francis served as Postmaster for many years. The Citation and Challenge Coin were presented by Post Adjutant, Peter Duston at the assisted care facility in Boothbay Harbor where Francis lives. His son “IJ” Pinkham lives nearby and tends after his father.

Memorial Day Program Well Attended

This year’s Memorial Day program was held under a sunny sky and was well attended by townspeople and especially the children of Cherryfield.  The Venture Scout under Crew Chief Savage Bloomer provided a color guard and raised the Legion Flags during the ceremony.   Jonathan Gay organized the Legion Color Guard with Brian Openshaw and recruited two new members who marched with them to lead the parade. We were pleased this year to have Chris Gosnell’s street beat keep in step.  Pastor Max Merrill, a Navy Vet. and Post Chaplain Ray Antunes offered appropriate prayers.  The excellent  keynote speech by USAF Veteran and Superintendent of Schools, William Shuttleworth was very well received.   8th Graders Abbi DeSchiffart and Ellie Jacobi recited the Gettysburg Address carrying on a 125 year Cherryfield tradition.  The Cherryfield Band was outstanding this year and even included a vocal number that was not only well done, it was very appropriate.

Our Venture Scouts raise Flags.

10 Year old Abby calls the program “Attention to Orders”

Cherryfield Superintendent William Shuttleworth delivers an outstanding speech.

Ellie and Abby, 8th grade Orators recite the Gettysburg Address.

The Parade Forms Up.

Marching Down Main Street!

Cherryfield children and marchers gather at Pine Grove Cemetery for the wreath laying ceremony.

Two More WWII Members Honored

In the continuing effort to locate and remember local WWII veterans, Adjutant Peter Duston presented Honor Certificates and WWII Victory Medal Coins to two more Post members.

Dot shows off her Honor Certificate to recognize her WWII service in the US Navy.

Lester served with the US Army Military Police in Europe during WWII.

Lester shows off his Honor Certificate and WWII Victory Medal Coin.

Law Enforcement Recognition Dinner – April

The annual Law Enforcement Appreciation was well attended this year with 40 law enforcement officers and their families.  The membership was also well represented.  75 commemorative glasses were given out to attendees.  The keynote speaker who chooses to remain anonymous was outstanding. An expert on sex crimes, she spoke on the “Criminal Mind” and had the audience totally focused on her speech.  She was a veteran instructor and profiler with the FBI.  We received considerable positive feedback from our law enforcement professionals for taking the time to recognize their work on our behalf.

Commander Ed Gosnell welcomes the Law Enforcement Professionals.

Washington County Deputy wins the special derringer knife donated by District Commander Doug Dowling as the Commander looks on.

Great trophy to take home from the dinner thanks to Past Commander Doug Dowling.

Legion Birthday Supper in March

The 2014 Legion Birthday Supper was well attended with the usual great food prepared by the Auxiliary.  The focus was to honor the memory of Past Commander Adfer Tenan’s role in getting the Machias Veteran’s Home established.  Chaplain Ray Antunes built a beautiful case to permanently display the golden shovel used by Adfer and his widow Lois for the ground breaking ceremony.  Lois and the family were in attendance to dedicate the case and shovel.  The late Kay Flynn’s family was there to be recognized with Kay’s WWII Service certificate and a WWII Victory Medal Coin.  Pearl Harbor Survivor, Bob Coles of Machias was also recognized with a WWII Victory Medal Coin.

Commander Ed Gosnell and Chaplain Ray Antunes unveil display case with golden shovel for Lois Tenan.

Remembering WWII Veteran – Kay Flynn

Retired Navy Chief Robert Coles honored for his WWII service and being a Pearl Harbor Survivor.

Lois Tenan tells the story of her late husband’s efforts to locate a Maine Veterans Home in downeast.

Beautiful patriotic cake provided by the Auxiliary for the Birthday Supper.

Cake is served!

Wreaths Across America Ceremony

Post 8 in cooperation our neighbor Cherryfield Academy Community Center held a Wreaths Across America ceremony that coincided with the national WAA program that delivered several hundred thousands wreaths across the United States including a 100,000 for Arlington National Cemetery. At precisely, noon, EST on Sat. Dec 14th, a simultaneous program was held. Thanks to Phil White for taking the lead in cooperation with Cheryl Brown of the Academy. Comrade George Openshaw  led the program with prayers by Navy vet, Pastor Max Merrill of 1st Baptist Church.  Scouts of the Cherryfield Venture Crew 139 served as Color Guard and placed wreaths on the WWI, WWII and Korea/Vietnam Memorials.

Comrade George Openshaw leads the program

The Cherryfield Venture Scouts of Crew 139 serve as Color Guard. Crew Chief Savage Bloomer salutes after placing the wreaths on the Korea/Vietnam memorial.  The Venture Crew included Quartermaster Jonella Esposito, Secretary Taya Bloomer and Crew Chief Savage Bloomer.  It was fitting that Savage and Taya participated as their Mom is deployed on 9 months of Army active duty.

The MIA/POW Wreath was placed alone under a tree and distant from the Memorial Stones symbolic of the isolation that our POW and MIA’s suffered.

Auxiliary Honors Remembers Our Troops for Christmas!

At the annual Christmas Display hosted by the Cherryfield Academy Community Center, the Unit 8 Auxiliary constructed a display of service Flags and photos reminding us to remember our brave American service personnel whether here in the states or deployed overseas.

Auxiliary Flag Display honoring our troops.

Auxiliary’s Annual Kids Christmas Party a “Hit”

DJ Clyde gets right out there and with this little boy leads the Cupid Shuffle.

SGT ERIKA YATES deploys to Ft. Sam Houston, TX for 9 months

Member, SGT Erika Yates of Cherryfield deployed on Nov 11, 2013 to Ft. Sam Houston, TX for training and certification as a Para Medic and a concurrent course in critical care. SGT Yates is assigned as a flight medic to the 126th Aviation (Medivac), Maine Army National Guard, Bangor Air Base. She is the daughter of Post Adjutant Peter Duston and Auxiliary member, Alice Duston. Her two children will be living with the grandparents while Erika is deployed. Her son, Savage Bloomer composed and performed a song for a school veterans day assembly the day before his Mom left.

‘HAVE YOU EVER”
Dedicated to my Mom and Grandfather on Veterans Day – 2013
Words and music by Savage Bloomer

Have you ever lost sleep
over warmth or food to eat?
Have you ever wondered why?
Have you ever seen the flag and cried?
Have you ever slept in the sand?
Have you ever fought for your land?

(CHORUS) Soldiers! Soldiers!
Make this land of the free!
Soldiers, Soldiers!
Make this place my home!

Have you ever lost a friend?
Have you ever gave to the end?
Have you ever seen them on the street?
Have you ever been in their two feet?
Have you ever walked away?
Why don’t you thank one today!
CHORUS!
My freedom, my love, goes out to you.
Your bravery, your gift to me, I know I am Free.
I know they’ve rolled the dice
But, have you ever paid their sacrifice?
CHORUS

Members Deployed in 2012

Below is a listing of our members who were deployed during 2012. We are happy to have them back home, both safe and sound, and thank them for their service to our country.