1933-SONS OF AMERICAN LEGION COMMITTEE FORMED

Minutes Consolidated
January 9, 1933: - Regular meeting. Twenty-one members. Reports heard from dance, roof repairs, welfare and veterans night committees and athletic officer. A recess was declared. This permitted Mrs. Crosier, a member of Middleboro’s Planning and Zoning Board to give an outline of the workings of this committee. Directly following, it was voted to adjourn.
… February 6, 1933 … Minutes of previous meeting were approved. Past Commander Phillips of Oak Bluffs Post was escorted to Commander Saunder’s right. Accepted invitation to attend the Auxiliary’s Valentines Party. Voted the Post conduct a carnival this year. Voted that the Post purchase 500 poppies. Voted that payment of the $5.00 assessment to the 10th District Council be placed in the hands of the F. O. and he to pay as soon as it is financially possible.
… March 6, 1933 … Commander Saunders called the meeting to order at 8:30 p.m. The Chairman of the Welfare Committee reported on the meeting with the member of the State Board of Labor. In addition, reports were accepted from the Finance officer, Athletic officer and the following committees: membership, whist, carnival and veterans’ night. Members stood in silence to the memory of Oliver “Pete” Letourneau. The Athletic Officer was instructed to enter a team in Junior baseball.
… April 3, 1933 … The Chaplain gave the invocation. Previous meeting minutes accepted. All committees gave reports. Post voted to subscribe to a P. O. Box and continue this service until ordered otherwise. A report on Junior baseball was heard. Meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
… May 1, 1933 … Both the local YMCA and District Nursing Association voted $5.00 each. A nominating committee for Post officers for the 1933-1934 season was elected by majority ballot. The committee elected were Louis Cole, Malcolm Drake, Charles Carver, George Dunham and Joe Dutra. Upon motion it was voted that the Adjutant be instructed to write to our Senators and Congressman relative to legislation pertaining to Disabled War Veterans, Widows and Orphans. That they bear in mind the true condition of these people and they vote the way that would be most beneficial to these unfortunates.
…June 5, 1933 … Called to order at 8:15 p.m. by Commander Saunders. Suspension of regular business to allow Mrs. Skillings to speak on child welfare. All committees made reports which were accepted. The colors and books presented the Post by Mrs. Keedwell were very gratefully accepted. The colors are the same that draped the casket of her son Roger when his body was shipped from France. The books contain the pictures, together with the names and addresses of all who died in the service during the World War. It was voted that the Post arrange for proper preservation of the flag and books presented by Mrs. Keedwell. Voted to proceed with the nomination and election of officers for the ensuing year. Photo is of Roger Keedwell in uniform, circa 1918.
………………………………..OFFICERS FOR 1933-1934 S.L. Nickerson #64 P.O. Box 534
Commander, Romeo Millette; 1st. Vice, Geo. I. Dunham; 2nd Vice, Malcolm C. Drake; 3rd Vice, Fred Wright; Adjutant, Everett L. Saunders; Finance Officer, Forest E. Thomas; Chaplain, Clifton McCrillis; Athletic Officer, William Bernier; Sergeant at Arms, Edgar A. Gay and Historian, Leslie G. Maranville.
Executive Committee: Joseph Dutra, Louis A. Cole and Howard Shurtleff.
House Committee: Ernest Thomas, Eugene LaPlante, Charles Haley, Harry Schofield and Harold F. Dunham.

Sick Committee: Elmer Godfrey, P. J. McMahon and Joseph Dutra.Publicity Officer: Edward J. Kelly
Inside Entertainment Committee: Allen McDonald, Everett Lynch, Joseph Lavalley, Arthur Almquist, Marshall Snow, H.E. Godfrey and Edward J. Kelly. Post Judge Advocate, Fletcher Clark, Jr.; Americanism Officer, Harry Schofield, and Child Welfare Officer, Pat C. McMahon.
… July 14, 1933 … Vice-Commander George I. Dunham called the meeting to order. A letter was read from the Department to the forming the “Sons of the American Legion. The Executive committee recommended formation of such an organization for the Post. Discussions were heard regarding Armistice Sunday observation and celebration. The House committee was allowed a sum not to exceed $5.00 for repairs to the building.
… August 7, 1933 … The committee on formation of The Sons of American Legion were appointed. They were Leslie Maranville, Charles Card and Joseph Dutra. A sum of $25.00 be allowed for each delegate to the State Convention for expenses. Installation of Post officers was scheduled for September 15. Voted that the incoming Commander be instructed to admit new members according to ritual.
…October 2, 1933…Meeting opened at 8:15. A half hour recess was declared to listen to Sea Scouts Mott and DeBoer from the ship Wm. Lincoln. Both men gave a fine description of their experiences. No action was taken by the Post to form a ship. Rev. Comrade Coe of Carver was the guest speaker of the evening. A fine talk on co-operation was given. Business resumed at 9 P.M. The Adjutant read the report of Comrade Cole, a delegate to the State Convention at Holyoke. Commander Millette also reported as the second delegate. It was voted to place these reports on file. Much discussion involving the Armistice Day committee was followed by the formation of an Armistice Dance committee. It was voted that the Commander purchase 25 door keys. Meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
… November 6, 1933 … The Adjutant declared all present were members in good standing. There were 37 present. Colors were advanced and the preamble recited. Committee reports were heard and accepted. The Armistice Day Dance will be held in Town Hall on Armistice night, November 11th with McCarthy’s Orchestra furnishing the music. Much discussion and debate on the question of Post records irregularities failed to gain approval for investigation. The three vice-commanders were appointed to a committee to pass on all Post bills and to act as trustees. A recess was called for 15 minutes for a clam broil, which the Inside Entertainment committee had prepared. It was then 11 p.m. Correspondence was read when the meeting resumed at 11:15. Voted that the Inside Entertainment committee have charge of locks and keys of the Post cupboards, which will be locked at all times. Also, the use of Post dishes be prohibited by any other organization with exception of the Auxiliary. Voted to adjourn at 12:05 a.m. Respectfully submitted by Everett L. Saunders, Adjutant with the comment:…“Longest Meeting Yet.”
…December 4, 1933… Thirty-seven members were in attendance. Minutes of last meeting were approved as read. Committee reports were given. A recess was voted at 9:35 p.m. to hear guest speaker Lt. Bradford Shaw, Mass. N.G. Aviation Service, related to his experiences and the development in aviation. A motion carried to have a committee of three contact the Board of Selectmen to have a roof painted with the name of the town on it as an aviation marker. The name Middleboro with an arrow in a circle pointing North is what is desired. The Post voted that money derived from the Poppy Sale be kept for Welfare work only. A letter of thanks be written to Harold Nickerson, brother of Simeon L. Nickerson for the picture of the last named and for whom the Post is named. A letter of thanks was written to our Auxiliary expressing appreciation for their donations. The sum of $25 was given by them for our Welfare Fund and a check for $50.00 for our Drum and Bugle Corps. Meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m.
................ (Compiled by RNL 2014 )