2021-2022 Officers : American Legion

2021-2022 Officers were installed in at the June 8th, 2021 meeting.

At the May 11, 2021 membership meeting, held at the East Fishkill Town Hall, a new slate of officers was elected. As there was only one candidate for each position, Adjutant Lance Ashworth cast a single vote for the entire slate. The vote was approved unanimously by the membership. Board members assumed their posts at the June 8 membership meeting held at the East Fishkill Community Center. Dinner was served for those attending.

Bio:

After receiving his draft notice in November of 1965 Jim chose to enlist in the Army on December 21st. Between his basic training and his MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) course he spent his first year in New Jersey, first at Fort Dix and then at Fort Monmouth. On his two week leave between basic and the start of his electronics course he and his wife got married.

On December 16th 1966 he was assigned to the 125th Signal Battalion, 25th Infantry Division at Cu Chi, Vietnam. A year later he returned to the US and was assigned to the 11th Signal Brigade at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Then in October of 1968 their daughter Teresa was born at Fort Huachuca and Jim left the service in December at the end of his enlistment.

He then worked for AT&T until his retirement in 1998.

Jim has been Post Commander in 2012 and 2013 and from 2018 to the present. He was also the Post Finance Officer for six years and spent 15 years as Post Historian.

Bio:

Don joined the Navy in 1969 and trained as an Electronics Technician (ET). After boot camp and "A" school, he served aboard USS O'Callahan, DE-1051, off the coast of South Vietnam. In 1971, Don attended and graduated from the Navy Nuclear Power School and Nuclear Prototype training, and then was assigned to the pre-commissioning crew of USS California, DLGN 36, and served in the Reactor Control Division. Medals received: Good Conduct, National Defense and Vietnam Service.

Don worked at the University of Buffalo as a Sr. Reactor Operator, He also worked in sales and as a sales manager for several corporations. He was self-employed prior to retirement. He also participated in "Operation Gratitude," stuffing "Care Packages" for deployed troops.

Don Joined the Legion (and Post 1758) in 2009. He held the positions of Adjutant and Commander prior to First Vice Commander. He has also participated in various committees and organizations in support of veterans.

Bio:

Upon graduating from Bayonne High School and completing one year at Pace University, Jeff was drafted into the army in April 1969. He did his basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and his MOS of Combat Engineer at Fort Lenard Wood in Missouri.

He was then assigned to the 23^rd Engineer Battalion, 3^rd Armored Division in Hanau, Germany. There he attended a 4-week training session where he completed the MOS for Atomic Demolition Specialist.

He was Honorably Discharged in April 1971 with a rank of Specialist 5. Upon his return from his tour in Germany, he married in 1973, moved to Pomona, New York in 1979, graduated from Saint Peter’s University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Business and Marketing. In 1987 they had a son.

He took an early retirement after 33 years from AT&T and Lucent Technologies. He then worked an additional 11 years in the Security and Safety Department of the North Rockland School District until his official retirement in 2017.

He was a member of Leo Ladders Post 130 of Thiells, New York for 10 years and Post Chaplain for 6 of those years.

He and his wife downsized and moved to Wappingers Falls in May of 2017. He has been a Manny Bacon Post member since 2017,

Bio:

A Pennsylvania native, Bill joined the Navy in '65. He served aboard USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) while waiting to go to Nuclear Power School at Bainbridge, MD. After graduating NPS and prototype training in upstate New York, Bill was assigned to USS George C. Marshall (SSBN-654), making 6 patrols on the “Blue” crew. Bill finished his service aboard USS Fulton (AS-11), a submarine tender out of New London, CT and La Madalena, Spain. Bill left the Navy as MM1 (SS) and moved to New York in 1973, having married a year earlier. After being discharged, he was hired by Consolidated Edison to work at Indian Point nuclear power plant. Bill became a licensed Senior Reactor Operator and eventually worked in the Training department as Simulator Coordinator. He retired from ConEd in 2000. He joined the American Legion in 2012 and transferred to the Manny Bacon Post a few years ago.

Bio:

Jay participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom following his enlistment in the Marine Corps in 1998. For his six and a half years of service, he received the following awards: Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Iraq Campaign Medal, two Letters of Appreciation, two Meritorious Masts, and a Certificate of Commendation (Individual Award).

Jay has worked as a farmer, a horse trainer, in a grocery story, as a carpenter, as a mason and as a mechanic.

Jeff's other volunteer work includes being PTA President (Noxon Road Elementary), being a youth soccer and basketball coach, and helping out at the VA.