[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1738-E1739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     50TH BIRTHDAY OF THE VERNON HILL AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 435

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 16, 1998

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 50th year 
that the Vernon Hill American Legion Post has served the community and 
honored our veterans in Worcester. To commemorate this event, I would 
like to enter into the Congressional Record the history of Post No. 435 
as recounted by Past Commander, John F. O'Connor. This post of the 
American Legion has a unique history, and I believe that Mr. O'Connor's 
account clearly shows that the group of men and women involved with the 
Vernon Hill Post are true American heroes.
  The text of his history follows.

       In the fall of 1947, a group of young veterans were 
     standing in front of Joe's Spa, across the street from Vernon 
     Hill Park, getting ready to start a touch football game. 
     There, they were approached to attend a meeting at 9 Ames 
     Street at the home of long-time legionnaire, James B. 
     Lawless, to discuss forming an American Legion Post on Vernon 
     Hill.
       Somewhat reluctantly, the young veterans gave up their 
     touch football game and walked to the Lawless home two blocks 
     away, and signed the request to the Worcester County 
     Commander, Bill Blanchard, for permission to create the 
     Vernon Hill Post American Legion. He denied the initial 
     request because Worcester already had 16 American Legion 
     Posts, more than an adequate number. Commander Blanchard sent 
     word that if the Vernon Hill Veterans wanted to join, there 
     were plenty of nearby posts to accommodate them. In typical 
     Vernon Hill fashion, the group of reluctant joiners now 
     became determined to have their own post.
       Mr. Lawless, a World War I veteran, with Edward F. Wall, 
     presented the Post's case before the Worcester County Council 
     meeting in Upton. Their persuasiveness and persistence paid 
     off, and a charter was granted in the Spring of 1948 to the 
     Vernon Hill Post American Legion #435.
       That was the inauspicious debut of what is now the second 
     largest American Legion Post in Worcester County, numbering 
     almost 600 members in the fiftieth year of its existence.
       The Post needed quarters, but we also needed a treasury to 
     pay the rent. Ed Wall, and another member, the late Chester 
     G. Trembowicz, the only ones that were working at the time, 
     lent the Post the money to rent our first quarters in a 
     vacant store at 35 Granite Street for $35 a month. Finally 
     having a ``Home'', the Post started to raise funds. A bar was 
     constructed with a can of beer selling for 20 cents. A ping-
     pong table was installed in the cellar and one of the first 
     television sets in the neighborhood was purchased with 
     proceeds from a minstrel show. A huge safe (still being used 
     today) which almost caused the demise of member Billy 
     Reynolds, was donated from its old home on Lamartine Street 
     to Granite Street. In 1951, the Vernon Hill Post purchased a 
     home at 154 Vernon Street for the sum of $16,500. The Post 
     continued to grow in its new home that featured what the late 
     Joe Fitzgerald called the ``Chinese room.''
       As the post grew and prospered, so did its social 
     functions. Who can forget the New Year's parties at the old 
     ``Johnny Hynnes Ballroom''? How many can remember the Past 
     Commanders' banquets that graduated from an upstairs loft at 
     Alaries Tower House on the Cherry Valley/Worcester Line, to 
     the Towncrest on Lake Avenue, to Jimmy O'Day's Edgemere 
     Lodge? How many present can recall the sumptuous steak dinner 
     arranged by Tim Mara and the late Ed Piliski at Thompson's 
     Lodge in Westboro? Everyone present at the banquet marveled 
     at the deal our two chairman had arranged--until they got the 
     bill that almost bankrupted our meager treasury.
       Who among us can forget the first New Year's Eve party held 
     in these quarters before we had tile on the floor? We danced 
     on the cement floor and had black legs for a week. A great 
     time was had by all on that first occasion in our own hall, 
     the first of many great times in this room.
       The state convention in 1948 was held in Worcester, a 
     rather huge affair at the time . . . World War I veterans 
     joined by World War II veterans just blending into civilian 
     life. Who can forget the huge parade in downtown Worcester 
     featuring superlative marching bands and handsome Governor, 
     Maurice Tobin, in a Panama suit? The new Post Vernon Hill, 
     now about 30 strong, marched in the back of the host 
     delegation behind a huge banner that read ``Worcester's Baby 
     Post, Vernon Hill American Legion #435, watch us grow''. How 
     prophetic. John McDavitt, a navy veteran, now residing in 
     Brookfield, was dressed as an infant, albeit smoking a cigar 
     and possessing a can of the beverage of moderation, pushed in 
     a baby carriage by his ``father'', the late Bill Wall, and 
     his ``mother'' Connie Brosnihan, now residing in Enfield, 
     Connecticut.
       In 1966, a bright young navy veteran brought what many 
     older, more experienced, more mature members thought was a 
     preposterous proposition to construct a hospital in Vietnam 
     to honor the boys and girls of Worcester County who lost 
     their lives in this faraway conflict. In 1967, after much 
     effort and preparation by the initiator of the project, the 
     day arrived when all of the ``Doubting Thomases'' became firm 
     believers in Past Commander Frank Carroll. We became such 
     believers that if Frank said Pope John Paul II is expected to 
     attend tonight's affair, we would keep an eye on the door.
       Who could ever forget this fabulous extravaganza? General 
     Westmoreland, the commissioner of baseball, General Eckerett, 
     and Under Secretary of State Katzenbach drank coffee in the 
     kitchen right in these quarters with Jim Donahue and many 
     other dignitaries. At the bar, the late Gordon McCrea told 
     stories about his football days at Gaskill Field. Who among 
     us doesn't have an avid memory of the affair at the Memorial 
     Auditorium? Present were the celebrities on stage with 
     Marilyn Mayes. There was security everywhere, and the pride 
     of our membership was unmistakable. This humanitarian gesture 
     to assist Dr. Turpin of Project Concern to construct a 
     hospital in the Central Highlands of Vietnam was motivated by 
     an American Legion Post in Worcester led by its imaginative, 
     fearless, persistent, young Commander, Frank Carroll.
       The vast number of volunteers, plus the organizational 
     genius called Frank Carroll, made the project a huge success. 
     The Vernon Hill Post American Legion was brought into the 
     spotlight and our post became the most recognizable and 
     envied Veteran's organization in the entire state.
       This organization is also extremely active in youth and 
     community affairs. The post's generosity to all who are 
     deprived and unfortunate is well known, but its finest hour 
     is its magnanimous support of the blind children in 
     Ashburnham, Massachusetts.
       This post is deeply involved in civil affairs coupled with 
     the welfare of our own community and state. In 1969, an issue 
     of deep concern to all our citizens was automobile insurance. 
     Does that have a a familiar ring? In this very room a forum 
     was held to inform our members and all our citizens about a 
     new form of auto insurance. One of the panelists who was 
     proposing the system was a young State Representative from 
     Brookline who went on to some degree of fame and notoriety, 
     Michael Dukakis.
       And what American Legion Post in the world had its own 
     basketball and softball leagues where everyone who played had 
     to be a member? Shea's Tavern, Leavitt Drugs, Old Timers, The 
     Associates, and the Livewires were all winners. Does anyone 
     remember the classic confrontation in a gym not far from here 
     between the late Past Commander Bob Bruso and a young Priest, 
     Father Ed Tinsley, now the Vicar General of the Diocese of 
     Worcester?
       Even when we didn't have much of a treasury, the post 
     sponsored a team in the Gehrig-Ruth League which continues to 
     this day. This late Jim Spaulding and child welfare chairman, 
     the late Past Commander Ed Cove put together the finest 
     charitable program of an American Legion Post anywhere. In 
     addition to baseball, our post has an unparalled record in 
     the area of programs for our youth. The scholarship program 
     has aided innumerable sons and daughters of Post members to 
     secure education at the colleagiate level. The Boys State 
     Chairman Past Commander John F. O'Connor and many members 
     have participated in the mock trial at the convocation of 
     Boys State.
       Who could ever forget the ``Minstrel Show'' assisted by the 
     late Bob Brady and the spontaneous with of the Past 
     Commander, the late James Spaulding. These various musical 
     delights features many talents, now departed, included John 
     ``Blue Eyes'' Mahoney. In recent years, we were entertained 
     by our Vernon Hill Legionaries, led by Past Commander Howard 
     Harvey. Who can't reflect on the many occasions that our 
     talented, dedicated choristers, George Handley, Mike Donovan, 
     Pat Carmody and our own little girl now grown to a young 
     lady, Kristen Carlstrom, enthralled us and the always full-
     capacity audiences?
       Our own St. Patrick Day ``Hooleys'' were always great 
     affairs. Does anyone here remember the Irish Tenor, Tom 
     Riley? The fabulous corned beef and cabbage meals put out 
     mainly by Chet Mills and and the late Dick Mitchell were 
     something?
       Speaking of food, does anyone remember the sumptuous meals 
     of Duffy Caterers and his Harvard beets? How many can 
     remember the wonderful evenings of superb music of Townsmen 
     and the gifted Janie Morin, fresh from her appearance at 
     Fenway Park in 1967? Down through the years we also had some 
     superb Italian and Polish nights.
       What veteran's organization holds its own Memorial Mass and 
     breakfast honoring its deceased members? Recently, the Mass 
     breakfast have been held right here in these quarters with 
     great success and numbers. Citizens of Worcester who have 
     made a contribution to the well-being of our community are 
     honored with an award each year. The award is now highly 
     coveted and respected in this city.
       The Vernon Hill Post was the first group of any sort to go 
     on record in favor of the construction of the Worcester Civic 
     Center, now known as the Centrum. Where would Worcester be if 
     we didn't have the Centrum now? The Vernon Hill Post was also 
     the first to endorse the connecting highway from downtown 
     Worcester to the Massachusetts Turnpike in Millbury, a vital 
     link to the economic well-being of our city.

[[Page E1739]]

       This last December 11th, over 200 senior citizens who 
     ordinarily wouldn't have a joyous Christmas season were our 
     guests here for the 20th year. Howard Harvey and his chorus, 
     the chefs, the waitresses and waiters, the people who 
     contribute their talents, time and resources, are to be 
     commended for their charity and concern.
       On occasions, the boys at Nazareth Home in Leicester have 
     been the guests of the Post at the circus, the Red Sox, and 
     the Celtics? Our Honor Guard, especially Bud Hall, has always 
     been present at parades, funerals and other functions. Our 
     antique fire truck is always at the disposal of children of 
     this region.
       When you mention names, you run the risk of neglecting 
     someone who has made a sizable contribution to this Post. 
     None the less, we would be remiss if we didn't name some men 
     who have passed on who have made this a great Post. They must 
     be looking down from their heavenly perch with pride; the 
     founder, James B. Lawless, Past Commanders, John C. Wall, 
     Chester C. Trembowitz, Raymond Jermyn, Robert Bruso, Albert 
     Spring, James Spaulding, George Naum, Ed Cove, Bob Coakley, 
     Ed Bulleus, and Red Cochran. We have come a long way in the 
     last five decades from that initial gathering on Ames Street!
       We are now the second largest in membership of any American 
     Legion Post in Worcester County. However, by all standards 
     and criteria, the Vernon Hill Post is universally recognized 
     and acclaimed as the finest, most active contributing 
     veteran's organization anywhere. One of our own Past 
     Commanders, Byron McCluskey, was a Department Past Commander, 
     bringing great honor to this post.
       This night should serve as a tribute to a great many men 
     who have worked together to make this occasion possible. The 
     cooperation that has made this evening a success has been the 
     hallmark of this group over the years.
       In the Preamble to the American Legion Constitution, it 
     says ``that we must consecrate and sanctify our comradeship 
     by our devotion to mutual helpfulness''. May we always 
     continue to look after our fellow human beings with care, 
     concern and compassion.
       ``Happy Fiftieth Birthday, Vernon Hill Post #435.''

       

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