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History of Massena Post #79
Post #79, East Orvis Street, Massena, NY 13662
In July 1919 a meeting was held in the Police Station to organize an
American Legion Post. On August 11th, 1919 an organizational meeting was
held. At which time temporary officers for a post were elected. The first
officers were:
President or
Chairman: F. A. W. Davis
1st Vice Commander:
Dennis Amo
2nd Vice Commander:
Dr. Elkins
3rd Vice Commander: John
W. Whalen
Secretary: Thomas S.
Bushnell
Treasurer: Cline Ward
Executive Committee: Tom
Sullivan, Clark Fleming, Dave Griffith,
Dr. McAloon, Edward J. Appel, Amos Whalen and Fermosa DeGree.
The total membership on
August 14th, 1919 was 46 members. The post observed their first Armistice
Day on November 11th, 1919 and had their picture taken in front of the
Advent Church.
Thomas Bushnell attended
the first State Convention in Rochester, NY on October 10th and 11th, 1919
as a St. Lawrence County Delegate from Post #79.
The first National Convention was held in Minneapolis, MN. On November
10th, 11th, and 12th, 1919. At which time a constitution was adopted.
Hereafter the Post President or Chairman was to be called the Post
Commander. Post #79 was notified of the change by County Chairman Walter
Kellogg of Ogdensburg on December 8th, 1919.
The local Post held
meetings in various locations until the early 1940's when the rented rooms
in a building on East Orvis Street. The Post decided to purchase the
location in 1945 and make it their permanent home. The brick building was
built in 1829 by Uriel H. Orvis and was located at 40 East Orvis Street.
The two story brick building was ideal for the legionnaires at that time.
It has held veterans of World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
However, the growth of the post and the increased use came to a head in
the 1980's when Commander Al Marlow spearheaded a drive to build an
addition to the post. The 2,000 plus square foot addition was to be used
as a dinning hall and relocated the kitchen. The old kitchen is currently
used as a pantry.
Since that time
improvements to the new addition have been done. Replacement of the tile
floor with laminate flooring, replacement of the heating system, ceiling
tiles and painting were necessitated by the Ice Storm of 1998. Damages
from that storm topped $35,000 and required the replacement of the
existing roofing material.
The post continues to
move forward today. With a membership in 2002 of 779 with 107 new members
we are a strong and community active post. Adopting veterans in area
nursing homes and "Blue Star Banners" are programs that are dear
to Massena Post #79. Strong supporters of "Children and Youth
Programs" the local Legion Post sponsors a Legion baseball team - The
Massena Federals. In 1999 the young team with only 5 years in the league
captured the Department of New York State Championship under the
leadership of Coach Greg Paquin.
From the first President, F. A. W. Davis to the present Commander Mark S.
Phillips the post can be counted on to be an active part of this
community. On September 11th, 2002 they are spearheading the first
"Remembrance Day" in memory of those who lost their lives from
the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001 and for all the military
personnel who have and will lose their lives fighting terrorism.
What's next ? Commander
Phillips looks forward to keeping Post #79 in the public eye and promoting
the causes that have made The American Legion the largest veterans
organization in the world.
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