CHARLES CURTIS TO BE HONORED BY BANTAM AMERICAN LEGION
On Saturday, June 2, 2012 Korean Conflict, U. S. Navy Fireman Charles Summer Curtis will be honored as the June 2012 Veteran of the Month in 10:00 am ceremonies at the Bantam All Wars Memorial. The June 2012 Veteran of the month will mark the 272nd consecutive month that Post 44 American Legion has honored a veteran. Honoree Charles S Curtis was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on June 16th 1932, the son of Charles S. and Louise Curtis. He attended Elementary School in Southbury, and graduated from Newtown High School. Some of his earliest jobs were as a carpenter and Logger before his commitment to the U. S. Navy.
Fireman Apprentice Charles S. Curtis enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve on June 18th 1950 and received his training at the Naval Reserve Training Center, Great lakes Illinois, … after which he was called to active duty on March 5th 1952. During his active duty he served on deployments to Cuba and Brazil and served aboard the USS Wisconsin, and USS Northampton. Charlie received an Honorable discharge from active duty in Boston, Mass. on 18 December, 1953.
Upon his return , Charlie worked as a Crane Operator at Scoville/Century Brass and Copper Company and additionally served as the plant chairman of the AFL/CIO Union.. He retired from Chase Brass and Copper in 1991 and for the next 12 years he operated the Bantam Sportsman, a retail business known for his knowledge and experience as an avid hunter, trapper and a master fisherman.
He and his first wife Theresa (Chasse) Curtis settled in Bantam in 1956 and became active in Our Lady of Grace Church and the Bantam Community where he served as a Burgess of the Borough of Bantam and as a member of the Bantam Zoning Commission. Charlie and Theresa’s love of music let him to form a Country and Western band “The Country Neighbors “ and they provided entertainment locally for over twenty five years. Charlie also loved calling square dances.
Several years after the death of Theresa, his wife of over 40 years he met and married Mary Anne Aldering of Pawling New York. Charles S Curtis the II passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 and is buried here at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery in Bantam. In addition to his wife Mary of Bantam, he is survived by six sons, four daughters, three step-children, and a sister He was predeceased by a step daughter, his first wife Theresa and a Brother and Sister.
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LEONARD MOORE HONORED AS
MAY 2012 VETERAN OF THE MONTH
Saturday, May 5, 2012 @ All Wars Memorial, Bantam
Owen Moore is shown with his family during and after the ceremony.
Persian Gulf War U S Navy Midshipman Third Class Leonard Charles Moore of Harrisburg, PA (formerly of New Preston) will be honored as the Bantam American Legion's May 2012 Veteran of the Month in 10:00 am ceremonies on May 5th at the Bantam All Wars Memorial.
Boy Scout (Bantam Troop 29) Jimmy Pavlik
Leonard Charles Moore entered the United States Navy in Springfield, Mass on May 26, 1988 and was assigned to the Navy's Food Service Mess Section after completing a seven week Class “A” School in Mess Management in October 1988 at the Orlando Florida Recruit Training Command. His follow on overseas assignments included cruises to South America aboard the USS Richard E. Bird, (DDS 23) followed by Mediterranean and North Atlantic Cruises on the USS Nicholson (DDS 982).
American Legion Post 44 member Terry McGurk
He was promoted to Midshipman Third Class on May 12, 1992 and transferred to the U.S. Naval Reserve USS Barbey (FFG 1088) at the Navy Personnel DDS 23 port Detachment at the Naval Station in Charleston, South Carolina on May 26, 1992 where he was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He was Honorably Discharged from the Naval Reserve May 12, 1996 after completing a cumulative US Navy active duty service of three years, four months and thirty days in the US Navy,
Leonard Charles Moore was born July 18, 1967 in New Milford the son of Owen and Jane Moore. He attended the Primary School in Washington Depot and had a newspaper route and one day became the recipient of commendations from the CT State Police, a local family and the area press for his alertness when he heard the cries of fear from a lost small child, and led rescuers to the exact spot where the missing small child was located. Leonard was a graduate of the Shepaug Valley Region 12 High School where during his High School days he worked part time at The Pantry in Washington Depot and after High School graduation, worked at The Pantry for a year before entering Newbury College in Newton, Mass where he majored in Culinary Arts Chef specializing as a Baker.
After leaving the Navy he was last employed by McKesson Pharmaceutical in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Leonard Moore was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Washington, CT. He died May 18, 2007 and is buried in the New Preston Cemetery. He is survived by his parents, Owen and Jane Moore of New Preston and his siblings, Kevin of Greenville
Wisconsin, Douglas of Danbury, Daniel of New Preston, and Jeffrey of Needham, Mass
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NORTH CANAAN KOREAN CONFLICT MARINE
HONORED AS BANTAM AMERICAN LEGION POST 44's
APRIL VETERAN OF THE MONTH
Saturday, April 7, 2012 @ All Wars Memorial, Bantam
Bantam's Tyler-Seward-Kubish Post 44 American Legion's Veteran of the Month service was held at the All Wars Memorial to honor Korean War U.S. Marine Corporal Everett Lee King of North Canaan. His honor Flag will fly at the All Wars Memorial until Saturday, May 5th when it will be retired.
Everett “Bud” King enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on February 20, 1951 in Hartford, CT. Following his Basic Training he was classified as a 7-36-250 Heavy Truck Driver and was dispatched to Korea where he was station for one year and three days. He was promoted to Corporal on December 17, 1952 before being returned to the states where he was transferred to "C" Company, Headquarters Battalion at the Marine Corp Separation Center in Quantico, Virginia where he was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United States Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal and Honorably Discharged.
On his return to civilian life he was instrumental in formation of a Post of Young Marines in Lakeville, a group in which he continued to serve for many hears. He was also a lifetime member of the Marine Corp League, the AMVETS and the VFW.
Everett “Bud” King was born July 10, 1933 at the Geer Memorial Hospital in Canaan, the son of the late Charles Henry and Catherine Rose (Van Vlack) King. He attended the North Canaan Elementary School and graduated from the Housatonic Valley Regional High School. He was employed by Northeast Utilities as a Lead Lineman where he worked for 37 years before retiring in April 1991.
He died May 22, 2011 and is buried in the Hillside Cemetery in East Canaan. He is survived by his wife the former Beverly A Heath of North Canaan who he married February 11, 1956 at the Canaan United Methodist Church in Canaan and children: Konrad L. King of Sheffield, Mass; Teresa A. Aitken of Salisbury, CT, Mark W. King of Falls Village, Thomas G. King of Southfield, Mass and 11 Grandchildren. He was also survived by two Sisters; Pauline Garfield of East Canaan and Althea Marshall of Chia Bush, North Carolina and a Brother Alan King of Nokomis, Florida.
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WW II MARINE S/SGT LEO RICHARD SEGALLA HONORED AS
BANTAM MARCH 2012 VETERAN OF THE MONTH
A former Canaan First Selectman, business owner, family man and World War II United States Marine Corp Veteran was honored by Tyler-Seward-Kubish Post 44 American Legion on Saturday, March 3rd as Post 44's March 2012 Veteran of the Month. The honoring ceremony for Leo Richard Segalla of North Canaan took place at the Bantam Borough Hall.
U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Leo Segalla was inducted into the U.S. Marines on Mar Ch 29, 1943 and served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations from March 27, 1944 to August 2, 1945. Segalla was typical of most veterans and never spoke of his combat experience against the enemy, especially during the brutal battles in the Northern Solomon Islands. He was Honorably Discharged from the Marines on December 6, 1945 in Bainbridge, Maryland where he was awarded a Certificate of Satisfactory Service.
His post- military years were devoted to serving his community including perms as a member of the Canaan Board of Selectmen and as First Selectman from 1971 to 1977; the Board of Housing and Recreation and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Knights of Columbus Council in Canaan..
Segalla was born August 1, 1924 in North CAnaan the son of Elio and Teresa (Coppiello) Segalla died February 5, 2011 and is buried in St. Joseph Cemetery in North Canaan and is survived by daughters Patty of Crosby, Texas; Donna of Great Barring ton, Mass; Holly of Canton, CT and Lisa of Southfield, Mass. His wife, the former Matilda (Tillie) Valiraggi who he married July 24, 1948 predeceased him in 2009.
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Veteran of the Month Ceremony
Saturday, February 4, 2012 @ Bantam Borough Hall
Cornwall French and Indian War Army Captain
Honored as Post 44 February Veteran of the Month
Joseph Bierce of Cornwall, CT in 1783 served as a Lieutenant in the Continental Army during the American Revolution and later achieved the rank of Captain in the Connecticut Militia. According to Bierce's grave marker In the Cornwall Cemetery, and French and Indian War History, Bierce served in the Fourth Company that was commanded by Samuel Whiting of the Second Regiment Commanded by Colonel Nathan Whiting, and the grave marker inscription also notes “Revolutionary War Joseph Bierce, Captain in Beardsley's Co."
In footnotes in Cornwall History he was commonly referred to as “Captain Bierce” for his many deeds during the period 1768 to 1804 in the history of the French and Indian War. Varying dates about Bierce's record do state, however that Bierce enlisted for the war February 26, 1777 in Richards Company of Swifts 2nd Connecticut Line, probably during the period May 8, to December 9th in the 9th Company which also references he further served in Waterbury's 5th Continentals from July 10 to December10, 1775 or in the 9th Company of Webb's 7th Continentals.
Joseph Pierce was born June 10, 1742 in Pembroke, Plymouth, Massachusetts the son of James and Mary Bumpas Bierce. He was Baptised June 20, 1742 in Pembrok, Massachusetts. The Bierce family originally migrated to Massachusetts then to Commecticut with most of the family concentrating on farming.but were deeply troubled because the farming conditions were unsatisfactory because of the hilly and heavily stoned terrain. But when the State of Connecticut became involved in what was known as the Connecticut Western Reserve and claimed land in Ohio from 1662 to 1800. In 1755 most of the Bierve family packed up their belongings and bought property in the Western Reserve because its level terrain and sparce stonage was more suitable for farming. To Joseph however, farming was the lesser of his priorities, he was more interested in being a shoemaker. But early in the century, James Bierce “Tanning” by the river was often combined with Joseph Bierce's “Shoemaking” with Austin Bierce also making shoes nearby.
The Connecticut Reserve was an area in the Northwest Territory held, sold and distributed byh the State of Connecticut in the years following the American Revolution. The Connecticut Western Reserve waa a 120 mile wide strip between Lake Erie and a line just south of Youngstown, Akron, New London and Willard Ohio and the East boundry was the border of the western side of the State of Pennsylvania.Some of the land was reserved by the Federal Government for residents of several New England Towns that were destroyed by British-set fires during the Revoltuionary War. The area was originally called “New Connecticut” which was later discarded in favor of “Western Reserve.” Some communities in Connecticut continue to receive annual payments from land owners in what was the Western Reserve area under original sales agreements dating back into the 1700's.
In 1770 the war was not yet promising that an early close was at hand. However, it was then that the Town of Cornwall voted eight bushels of wheat per month and provisions for Cornwall families for each man up to the number of six who would enlist in the Connecticut Line for three years of the war. The Selectmen were directed to raise a tax to meet the expense. A quota of clothing fixed by the State was to be collected and sent forward by Joseph Bierce who was a shoemaker in Cornwall Hollow.
According to the 1768 Barbour Collection and Cornwall Vital Statistics, Bierce married Elizabeth Emmons on September 19, 1768 in Cornwall, CT by Justice of the Peace, Rev. Thomas Russell. Their marriage was blessed with six children, Ezeekiah, Joseph, Asaph, Herman, Erastus and Euphrates. Captain Joseph Bierce died in Cornwall, CT at the age of 74 on January 8, 1816 and is buried in the Calhoun Cemetery in Cornwall, CT .
FOUR CHAPLAINS ALSO HONORED
The "Four Chaplains"" who gave up their life vests to GIs aboard the sinking troop transport "Dorchester" during World War II were also honored on Saturday, February 4th for their heroic acts.
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VETERAN WHO SERVED IN TWO THEATERS IN WORLD WAR II
HONORED BY BANTAM AMERICAN LEGION
Deceased Torrington resident Anthony T. Stolfi who served in the United States Army in World War II was honored as the January 2012 Veteran of the Month by Bantam American Legion Post 44 on Saturday, January 7, 2012 in the Bantam Borough Hall.
Anthony Stolfi was inducted into the United States Army on April 26, 1943 and called to active duty on May 3, 1943. After training he was classified as a Medical Technician MOS 409 and shipped out to the European, African, Middle Eastern Theater on April 2nd, arriving in Africa on April 19, 1944 where he participated in ETO campaigns until May 13, 1944 when he was transferred to the Asiatic Pacific Theater where he participated in CBI, (China, Burma, India) Western Pacific Theater battles.
It was in the CBI areas that he developed serious cases of Malaria, jungle rot and other devastating maladies associated with jungle warfare that required extensive hospitalization . After his return to the states on October 23, 1945 at the rank of Technician Grade 5, his afflictions, especially with Malaria, continued for several years after his December 13, 1945 discharge from the 1st Convalescent Camp APO 689 at Camp Devens, Massachusetts where he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the WW II Victory Medal, the European, Africa, Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon, the Asiatic, Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, the Combat Medics Badge and he also earned entitlement to the Bronze Star although he never received the Bronze Star Medal itself. Ever-present Malaria attacks caused him to repeatedly lose time from his post-war work at the Torrington Company, and the combination of jungle caused illnesses also resulted in his loss of hearing in both ears and continuous problems with his teeth.
Anthony Stolfi was born June 25, 1917 in Torrrington, the son of Franesco and Prudence Stolfi and attended Torrington's East School and Torrington High School. His work career was as a Swaging Machine Operator at the Torrington Company from which he retired on July 1, 1975 after a 25 year career with this company. Stolfi died July 26, 1976 and is survived by his wife the former Justime R. Ricciardone of Torrington who he married January 22, 1936 at St. Peters Church in Torrington. He is also survived by a son James A. of Winsted CT, and a daughter Lorraine of Meridan, CT. Brothers Vincent, Joseph, and Michael, and a Sister Mary are all deceased. Anthony Stolfi is buried in St. Peters Cemetery in Torrington.
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Veteran of the Month Ceremony
Saturday, December 3, 2011
BANTAM AMERICAN LEGION HONORS WW II AIR FORCE SERGEANT
Stephen P. DePra of Greenwich (Byram) CT was honored as the December 2011 Veteran of the Month by Bantam's American Legion Post 44 on December 3, 2011 at the Bantam Borough Hall. DePra's Flag will fly at the All Wars Memorial until January 7, 2012 when it will be retired.
Stephen DePra entered the U.S. Army Air Force on August 22, 1942 in New York City and after Basic Training was assigned to Section K Headquarters Squadron of the 403rd Base Air Depot as a Supply NCO-821. His unit was shipped overseas to the European, African, Middle Eastern Theater of Operations on May 3, 1944 arriving in the European Theater of Operations on May 16, 1944 as part of the Ninth Air Force where he participated in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Ardennes campaigns. His unit left the ETO October 28, 1945 arriving in the states on November 1, 1945 and sent to Ft. Devens, Massachusetts where he was discharged on November 12, 1945 at the rank of Staff Sergeant and awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, the European, African Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon and the World war II Victory Medal.
Stephen DePra wsa born February 11, 1921 in Nanty Glow, Pennsylvania the son of Valentino and Ella (Bake) DePra. He attended the New Lebanon Elementary School in Greenwich CT. His civilian occupation was that of a Carpenter and he was last employed by Gisborne Builders of Old Greenwich, CT from which he retired after thirty-five years of faithful service.
Stephen DePra died March 3, 1992 and is survived by his wife, the former Marie Spadaro and three daughters and two sons. Stephen and is buried the the Greenwich Cemetery.
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WW II MARINE HONORED BY BANTAM AMERICAN LEGION
Legionnaires, other veterans and U.S. Marines gathered at the Bantam Borough Hall on Saturday, November 19th for a ceremony to honor World War II Marine Corporal Eric Berger Earn of West Hartford, CT. Corporal Earn's Flag will fly at the All Wars Memorial until Saturday, December 3rd when it will be retired.
Corporal Eric B. Earn enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps March 13, 1944 at Hartford, CT. Following his boot training he was assigned to the 1st Marine Air Wing of the Marine Air Group MAG 61 which consisted of Air Wing Support Personnel and Photo Reconnaissance in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations. His overseas service took him to the Los Negros and Admiralty Islands, Emereau Island, Marine Air action against the Japanese Held Islands including New Ireland and Rabaul.
Corporal Earn returned to the states and was Honorably Discharged into the Marine Reserves July 19, 1946 at the Great Lakes Illinois Separation Center where he was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was Honorably Discharged from the Marine Reserves on February 27, 1951.
Eric Berger Earn was born in Manchester, CT April 7, 1918 the son of Carl J. and Hedvig Earn. He attended Elementary and High Schools in Manchester, CT. After his discharge he was employed as Shipping and Receiving Foreman at the Jacobs Manufacturing Company in West Hartford and Bloomfield, CT, retiring in 1983 ending a 45 year career with this company.
He was a member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church of Hartford where he was their leading bass soloist. For many years he sang with the Wennerberg Chorus of New Britain and was a dedicated soloist at the Chapel of Church Homes, in Avery heights in Hartford. He was also a member of Wyllis Lodge #99, AF & AM of West Hartford, the Sphinx Temple Chanters, the Choral Club of Hartford, and the West Hartford Squires. He died March 28, 1998 and is buried in the Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford, CT. His wife, the former Hildur (Schill) Earn was a victim of cancer and predeceased him in 1979. He is survived by a son Carl E. Earn of Wethersfield, CT and a daughter Mrs. Dennis (Ingrid) Shea of Boulder, Colo, three Grandchildren, and a Sister Ruth M. Earn of Glastonbury, CT.
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American Legion Post 44 Commander Arthur St. John
delivers Veterans' Day speech at Bantam Borough Hall on 11-11-11
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Veteran of the Month Ceremony
Saturday, November 19th - 10:00 am
Bantam Borough Hall
WW II MARINE TO BE HONORED BY BANTAM AMERICAN LEGION
Legionnaires, other veterans and U.S. Marines will gather at the Bantam Borough Hall on Saturday, November 19th at 10:00 am for a ceremony to honor World War II Marine Corporal Eric Berger Earn of West Hartford, CT. Corporal Earn's Flag will fly at the All Wars Memorial until Saturday, December 3rd when it will be retired.
Corporal Eric B. Earn enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps March 13, 1944 at Hartford, CT. Following his boot training he was assigned to the 1st Marine Air Wing of the Marine Air Group MAG 61 which consisted of Air Wing Support Personnel and Photo Reconnaissance in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations. His overseas service took him to the Los Negros and Admiralty Islands, Emereau Island, Marine Air action against the Japanese Held Islands including New Ireland and Rabaul.
Corporal Earn returned to the states and was Honorably Discharged into the Marine Reserves July 19, 1946 at the Great Lakes Illinois Separation Center where he was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was Honorably Discharged from the Marine Reserves on February 27, 1951.
Eric Berger Earn was born in Manchester, CT April 7, 1918 the son of Carl J. and Hedvig Earn. He attended Elementary and High Schools in Manchester, CT. After his discharge he was employed as Shipping and Receiving Foreman at the Jacobs Manufacturing Company in West Hartford and Bloomfield, CT, retiring in 1983 ending a 45 year career with this company.
He was a member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church of Hartford where he was their leading bass soloist. For many years he sang with the Wennerberg Chorus of New Britain and was a dedicated soloist at the Chapel of Church Homes, in Avery heights in Hartford. He was also a member of Wyllis Lodge #99, AF & AM of West Hartford, the Sphinx Temple Chanters, the Choral Club of Hartford, and the West Hartford Squires. He died March 28, 1998 and is buried in the Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford, CT. His wife, the former Hildur (Schill) Earn was a victim of cancer and predeceased him in 1979. He is survived by a son Carl E. Earn of Wethersfield, CT and a daughter Mrs. Dennis (Ingrid) Shea of Boulder, Colo, three Grandchildren, and a Sister Ruth M. Earn of Glastonbury, CT.
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Sgt. Benjamin Cardillo honored
as October 2011 Veteran of the Month
by Bantam Post 44 American Legion
Long time Litchfield Resident Benjamin Cardillo was honored as Bantam American Legion Post 44's October 2011 Veteran of the Month on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at the Bantam Borough Hall. World War II Army Air Force Staff Sergeant Cardillo's Flag will fly at the Memorial until Saturday, November 5th when it will be retired.
Sergeant Cardillo was inducted into the Army Air Force in Hartford on August 29,1942 and reported for active duty on September 12, 1942. Following Basic Training he was classified as an AP Woodworker #550 and was assigned to the 1505th Army Air Force Base Unit and shipped out from the States on January 25, 1944 arriving in India April 28, 1944 where he was placed in charge of the Carpentry Shop that supported the 20th Bomber Command's 58th Wing stationed in Indian and the Island of Tinian building airfields in India and participated in the India, Burma, China Air Offensive; and the Japan, Polembong and Burma Campaigns. He returned to the States on October 23, 1945 and was Honorably Discharged November 3, 1945 at the Westover Separation Center in Westover, Massachusetts where he was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon with five battle stars and the Good Conduct Medal.
Benjamin Cardillo was born March 29, 1914 in Hartford, CT the son of Vincenzo and Rochina (LaPenta) Cardillo. In 1935 Cardillo signed up in the CCC known as the Civil Construction Camps; a “New Deal” agency started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and was lucky that he was assigned to work in Cornwall building roads on Mohawk Mountain. The CCC provided work and three meals a day and a place to sleep and the small pay was sent home to his father to help support the family.
Cardillo married Mary Aragona in Litchfield on October 19, 1946 and the marriage was blessed with three children. Nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
He was a Master Carpenter who worked for 25 years for Miss Porter's School as Superintendent of Construction. Prior to working at Miss Porter's he was a carpenter and project superintendent for Felix Buzzi and Sons. He died January 13, 2011. His wife, Mary died in 2005.
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Bantam's Post 44 installs officers for 2011-12
Litchfield.bz (10-03-11)
American Legion Post 44 of Bantam installed its officers for 2011-12 during a ceremony at the Bantam Borough Hall on Saturday. Arthur St. John, above, was installed as commander. Installed, below, were from left Stu Clem as assistant sergeant at arms; Dave Weik as sergeant at arms; Fred Maurer as chaplain; Dick Gillette as service officer; Fletcher Cooper as historian; John Lilley as finance officer; John Aucoin as adjutant; Owen Moore as junior vice commander; and Mike Brunetto as senior vice commander. BZ photos
Officers installed were:
Post Commander: ART ST. JOHN; Sr. Vice Commander: MICHAEL BRUNETTO, Jr.; Vice Commander: OWEN MOORE; Adjutant: JOHN AUCOIN; Finance Officer: JOHN LILLEY, Judge Advocate: KEVIN E. CREED; Service Officer: A RICHARD GILLETTE; Historian: FLETCHER E. COOPER; Chaplain: FRED MAURER; Sgt. At Arms: DAVID WEIK; Asst. Sgt. At Arms: STUART R. CLEM.
Sixth District Commander Jacqueline Evonsion of New Hartford and her team of District Officers conducted the Installation service.
Post 44 was originally founded in 1919 and named the Robert P. Jefferies Post, but surrendered the charter in 1928. The Charter was reinstated in 1946 following World War II and was renamed Tyer-Seward-Kubish Post 44.
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World War II Army Engineer Sergeant George G. Church
honored as September Veteran of the Month
by Bantam American Legion Post 44
A large family contingent traveled to the ceremony to honor Sgt. George C. Church as September Veteran of the Month at the All Wars Memorial in Bantam on Saturday, September 3, 2011.
World War II Army Engineer Sergeant George G. Church of Massapequa, New York was honored as Bantam American Legion Post 44's September 2011 Veteran of the Month on Saturday, September 3, 2011 at the Bantam All Wars Memorial. His Flag will fly at the recently refurbished All Wars Memorial until Saturday, October 1st when it will be retired.
George B. Church was inducted into the United States Army on July 23, 1942 at Fort Jay, New York and following his stateside training which included a course as a Maintenance Mechanic in Lake Charles, Louisiana and a course of Maintenance for Power Plants in Detroit, Michigan. He was then assigned to the 485th Engineer HS Company and sent to the European, African, Middle Eastern theaters in June
1943 where he participated in Northern France and Rhineland Campaigns. He returned to the states in December 1945 where he was discharged on December 21, 1945 at the Separation Center in Fort Dix, New Jersey and awarded the European, African and Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the Good Conduct and WW II Victory Medals.
George B. Church was born November 7, 1915 in Greenock, Scotland the son of John and Elizabeth Church. The family emigrated to the United States in1930 when George was 14 years old and became a naturalized U.S. Citizen on March 28, 1944 while in Litchfield, Stafforshire, England. He married Mary Tracy in 1949 in Brooklyn, New York and they purchased a new house in Massapequa, New York in 1950. He worked as a self-employed building contractor for nearly 30 years before retiring in 1980.
He died September 26, 1993 and is survived by a son George of Smithtown, NY, and daughters; Victoria Eriksen of Bantam, CT, Barbara Lien of Centereach, NY, Elizabeth Bundrich of Mauertown, VA, Maureen Foy of Ballston Spa, NY, Carol D'Angelo and Donna Monty of Massapequa, NY. He was also survived by 22 Grandchildren and 13 Great Grandchildren. His wife, the former Mary Tracy, died in November 18, 2002. Sergeant George B. Church is buried in the Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, New York.
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Post 44 honors Marine as veteran of the month
Litchfield.bz (08-07-11)
Frances Clem of Bantam, left, holds the memorial flag of her mother, Marine Cpl. Louise Peirce, during Post 44's veteran of the month ceremony. To the right is Clem's daughter, Mary Erin. BZ photos
As the September of the Month Veteran was being inducted, another tribute was offered to August Veteran of the Month, Louise Peirce. Fran Clem, daughter of Louise Peirce, receives the retired flag from John Lilley.
American Legion Post 44 of Bantam honored a Marine Corps corporal who served as an administrative clerk during World War II as its veteran of the month on Saturday.
The ceremony honoring Louise Peirce was held at the All Wars Memorial and was Post 44's 262nd consecutive monthly honoring of a deceased veteran by Post 44. A memorial flag will fly over the All Wars Memorial in Peirce's honor until Sept. 3.
On hand for the ceremony were Peirce's daughter, Frances Clem of Bantam, and Clem's daughter, Mary Erin Clem of Morris. Stuart Clem, Frances's husband, was in the Post 44's firing squad.
Peirce enlisted in the Marines on May 8, 1943 in Chicago, Ill., and was called to active duty on July 27, 1943. She served as a clerk at Camp Pendleton in California until being honorably discharged on Oct. 5, 1945 at the rank of corporal.
She was born Nov. 8, 1917 in Rock Island, Ill., the daughter of Frank and Esther Kemp. She graduated from Sacred Heart Elementary School and St. Joseph High School in Rock Island and married B. Wallace Peirce on Oct. 26, 1946 in Rock Island.
Following her military service, Peirce worked as a telephone operator in the personnel department at the Rock Island Arsenal until her retirement in 1970.
She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Moline, Ill., a member of the Secular Franciscan Order, the Quad City Fine Arts, and the Rock Island Woman's Club.
Peirce died March 27, 2006 and is buried in the National Island Cemetery at Arsenal Island in Rock Island County. In addition to her daughter Frances, Peirce is survived by daughters Ellen Peirce of Chicago, Mary Lee Peirce of Moline, Kathleen Peirce of Wimberly, Tex., and four grandchildren. A brother, Clement Peirce, and sisters, Anna Marie Widdell and Grace Marian Wilson, are deceased.
Below, the memorial flag of Post 44 veteran of the month Louise Peirce is prepared for raising during Saturday's ceremony. BZ photo
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GOSHEN VETERAN HONORED
BY BANTAM AMERICAN LEGION POST 44
Peacetime U.S. Naval Cadet Philip Rhodes Morris of Goshen was honored by the Tyler-Seward-Kubish Post 44 American Legion as the July 2011 Veteran of the Month in a service at the Bantam All Wars Memorial on Saturday, July 2, 2011. His Flag will fly at the Memorial until Saturday, August 6 when it will be retired.
Philip Rhodes Morris entered the United States Navy as an Air Naval Cadet on February 14, 1957 at the U.S. Naval Air Station in South Weymouth, Massachusetts and then transferred to the Naval Air Basic Training station in Pensacola, Florida. On completion of his Basic Training he entered the pre-flight school at the Helicopter Direction Center and because of his good record, a letter of congratulations was sent to his parents by his Commanding Officer at the Pensacola Naval Air Training Center. On April 11, 1958 his rate was changed from Naval Cadet to Seaman. On April 28, 1958 he received a Hardship Honorable Discharge from the U. S. Navy Reserve due to the servious illnesses of his parents.
Philip Rhodes Morris was born November 17, 1934 in Boston, Massachusetts the son of Evangeline and Cecil R. Morris. He attended the Wellesley Hills Elementary School and graduated from the Wellesley Hill and Greenough Prep School in Massachusetts. He attended Trinity College in Hartford, CT and graduated in 1950 majoring in History and Liberal Arts. He was a member of the New York Yacht Club and volunteered with the Literacy Volunteers of America in Greenwich, CT His civilian occupation was in publication, Advertising Sales,and media research. He was self employed as”Media Analyst, Inc” for his last four years while fighting a long battle with inoperable cancer. Philip Rhodes Morris died September 29, 2010 and is buried in St. Michael's Church Memorial Garden in Litchfield. He is survived by his wife Marjorie Morcom Morris who he married January 8, 1994 at St. Luke's Church in Darien, CT. He is also survived by three daughters: Lisa Morris Worster of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Tricia Morris Katz of Atlanta, GA and Dana Morris Bienkowski of Franklin, Mass. He is also survived by step-children Jenny Lyle of Williston, Vermont, Elaine Cole MacDonald of Brooklyn, NY and LukeMacDonald of Avon, CT. and six grandchildren and four step grandchildren. A brother Grant Morris predeceased him.
Throughout his life he enjoyed the arts, traveling, recording family history, all of which brought him joy and a great source of memories, and despite the seriousness of his inoperable cancer, his interest in living life to the fullest never waned and he remained full of optimism and hope.
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FORMER BANTAM RESIDENT HONORED BY BANTAM AMERICAN LEGION
Robert A. Jefferies retired in March 1987 and moved to Dunedin, Florida. Now he's back to the place of his birth and his pre-retirement years, Bantam. Jefferies died on December 5, 2010 and is buried in the Bantam Cemetery. He was honored on June 4th as Bantam Post 44's June 2011 Veteran of the Month. His Flag will fly at the Bantam All Wars Memorial until Saturday, July 2nd when it will be retired.
Robert A. Jefferies entered the Army of the United States on January 30, 1942, attended the Fort Monmouth New Jersey Army Signal School and then shipped to the Asiatic Pacific Theater as a cryptographic Technicial and was engaged in battles in Papua, New Guinea and Bisark Archipe Lago Luzon. While in New Guinea he endured a leg wound that wouldn't heal so he was sent to Melbourne, Australia where he'd had a better chance to heal than in the jungles of New Guinea.
He was Honorably discharged October 10, 1945 at the Fort Devens, Mass Separation Center where he received his decorations that included the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal. He held the rank of Technician Third Grade at the time of his discharge.
Bob Jefferies was born January 27, 1920 in Bantam, CT the son of Bruce and Ella Barber Jefferies. He attended Bantam Elementary School and was a 1940 graduate from Litchfield High School. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade and worked for a number of years as a Mill Foreman for the Heritage Masters Association in Southbury, CT. He and his wife Caroline were employed by the Episcopal Diocese of CT managing the Diocesan Morris, CT Retreat and Conference Center for Episcopal Clergy. Bob Jefferies was a member of Tyler-Seward-Kubish Post 44 American Legion, St. Paul's Masonic Lodge #11 of Litchfield and a Boy Scout leader for many years. He was a former member of St. Paul's Episcopal church in Bantam and was a member of St. Alfred's Episcopal Church of Palm Harbor, Florida at the time of his death.
He is survived by his wife , the former Caroline Griffin of Dunedin, Florida who he married June 12, 1949 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Milton. He is also survived by a son, Robert G. Jefferies and his wife Jean and two grandchildren, Kelly and Cody of Dunedin, Florida and a sister Marion Jefferies of Torrington. A son Craig A. Jefferies predeceased him. Private services were held at Curlew Hills Memorial Chapel in Palm Harbor, FL on December 20, 2910.
