Consolidated Minutes From 1939

January 3, 1939 : - *******The year 1939 for the Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 opened when Commander Henry Marois called the first meeting of the year to order at 8:05 with 22 members. Normal opening rituals were conducted. Committee reporting were Membership showing 124 paid up members; Armistice Day report was filed; Hospital reported progress; 10th District reported progress for a meeting in Middleboro; Service and Welfare officers reported and Finance Officer read a balance of $515.58. All bills were sent to the Trustees to be paid if found correct. Voted to donate $5.00 to the Elks Charity and $5.00 to the Dept. Auxiliary to help defray Christmas expenditures. Voted to send the dame delegates and alternates to the special Department Convention in Boston, January 15th. And, it was voted to appropriate a sum of $2.00 each for the three delegates. Mrs. Gagnon gave a gift of a volume of books to the Post, which was accepted. Motion and so voted to send flowers, at the cost of $3.00 to Francis Hart of the basketball team. Adjourned at 9. Respectfully submitted by Everett l Saunders, Adj.

February 6, 1939 : - ******* Meeting opened at 8:10 with 25 members present. First report was from Financial Officer Ernest Thomas, who reported $460.15 in treasury. Vice-Commander Atkins reported 133 paid up members. Service Officer Cole announced the death of Comrade Peter Vasel during the month. The Commander announced the draping of our Charter. The head stone for the late Comrade Gagnon was received and delivered. Voted we accept an invite from the Plymouth Post for a Social Evening, Tuesday, February 14th in our hall. A sum of $5.00 was voted for the evening. The Post House Committee was authorized to buy six (6) mats for the cuspidors. A joint Americanization meeting will be held by the Legion and the Elks the 1st week of March. A check of $3.00 for our dues to the Veterans Council was approved. The Post voted $25.00 to be put with the $25.00 donated by our Auxiliary for the purchase of chairs for the meeting hall. Past Commander Cole reported on the Special Convention in Boston, where 16 resolutions were thrashed out. His very fine report was accepted. Adjourned 10 P.M.

March 4, 1939 : - ****** Thirty-one members present for regular monthly meeting. Usual opening services. V.C. Horace Atkins showed 145 paid up members. He also reported on the Hospital and amount raised was within amount required by two or three dollars. The Post voted to pay the $3.00 difference. F.O. Thomas read the Post balance of $445.98. S.O. Cole reported William McMahon has entered Chelsea Naval Hospital. A MEMORIUM to Walter Hietala, a deceased veteran, who served in the Finnish Army during the World War was read. Voted that his MEMORIUM be placed with Post records. Flowers sent to the funeral from DeVinney’s will be paid. District Commander Dr. Hall reported on Department and District doings. P.C. Cole was elected chairman of the carnival committee and authorized to name his committee. The Veterns Council was given permission to use our parlor for meetings. Tuesday, March 14th was selected as the evening to celebrate the Legion’s 20th Birthday. A sum of $10.00 was appropriated for the Birthday Celebration. A committee of five, Charles Farrington, George I. Dunham, Marshall Snow, Arthur S. Hall and Harry Schofield, were named the nominating committee for the ensuing year.

April 3, 1939 : - ****** Committee chairmen of the Child Welfare, Executive, Entertainment, Americanism Membership and Hospital gave their reports. Reports were heard from the Athletic, Service and Finance Officers. A committee of three was appointed for the Poppy Drive. They were Marois, Begley and Rogers. Post voted to notify the V.F.W. that we are holding our Poppy Drive on May 26-27th and that the Post purchase 1,000 poppies. A report on the 20th Birthday Anniversary Celebration was given by P.C. McCrillis. Voted the sum of $5.00 for the Boy Scouts. Voted to pay half the expense of Orphan’s Day, April 16th and the funds to come from the Welfare Fund. The sum of $25.00 was appropriated for the campaign of P.C. Dr. Hall for State Vice-Commander. The Post voted to rent the carnival field for $10.00. Also, voted to pay $1.66 overdrawn for entertainment.

May 1, 1939: - ******* Regular meeting opened by Commander Henry Marois at 8:15 with 26 present. Ernest Thomas, Finance Office, reported a balance of $411.15. A Roll Call Supper was organized with Wm. Begley, Thomas Tate and Pat McMahon named to the committee. Notices about the Roll Call Supper will be sent to the membership. A sum of $15.00 was voted for the supper. A picture and brochure about George Washington, commemorating his 150th anniversary, was accepted from Frederick S. Weston. The Middleboro District Nursing Association saw the Post contribute $5.00. The local Y.M.C.A. was given $5.00. Accepted the invitation to attend Memorial Sunday Services at the Plympton Congregational Church on May 28th. The adjutant was requested to send Medals for School awards to students of high ranking at the Bates School and Memorial High School. The Post will send out a letter to all Posts in the State on our letter heads to support the candidacy of Dr.Hall. And, that he be allowed to hold a meeting of the District Executive Committee in our room this month. Adjourned: 9:15.

June 5, 1939 : _ ******* Thirty-two members were in attendance. Normal rituals were accomplished and committee and officer reports were heard. The Post will allow the 40/8 Voiture to hold a meeting in the Legion rooms on June 20th. The Legion will sponsor a band concert in conjunction with the Park Board at a cost of $12.00. Proceeded to the election of Officers. The Adjutant will cast one ballot for the following officers except for Sgt. @ Arms. Elected were: Commander, Horace Atkins; 1st Vice, Wm. J. Begley; 2nd Vice, Manuel M. Rose; 3rd Vice, Chas. R. Fickert; Adjutant, Marshall A. Snow; Finance Officer, Ernest E. Thomas; Chaplain, Herman Fuller; Historian, Thomas M. Tate; Athletic Officer, Wm. Bernier; Judge Advocate, Fletcher Clark, Jr.; Americanization Officer, Dr. John H. Hall; Graves Reg. Off, Roger V. Anderson; House Committee, Chas. Card, J. Gideon Gortin and Eugene LaPlante; Executive Committee, Henry L. Marois, Clarence H. Hayward and Clifton McCrillis. Voting by members for Sgt. @ Arms resulted with P.J. McMahon elected. Voted for the Delegates and Alternates to the State Convention at Taunton. Delegates elected were Ernest E. Thomas, P.J. McMahon and Horace Atkins. Elected as Alternates were Wm. J. Begley, Henry Marois and Herman Fuller. Adjourned at 10:20: Respectfully Submitted E. L. Saunders, Adjutant.

July, 1939 : - ******* The minutes for July are missing.

August 7, 1939 : - ******* Capt. Cole reported the net profit of the Carnival was $207.82. The balance in the Post fund as of August 1 was $319.13. Voted the Commander appoint Geo. I. Dunham, Everett Saunders and P.J. McMahon to find out about getting a bronze markers and the costs for Nickerson Street and John Glass, Jr., Square. Passed a motion to hold our installation and that the incoming.
Commander contact the District Commander to see if we can have the first installation in our District. Instructed Delegates to vote against proposed change in the Dept. by- laws in regards to voting. Passed a vote to allot $10.00 for each Delegate and $5.00 to alternates.

August 28, 1939 : - ******* SPECIAL MEETING ***** On account of Labor Day and plan for an early installation the Post meeting was held on this date. The regular meeting in September will be omitted. V.C. Atkins reported total membership to date is 165. No financial report this meeting. Installation of Officers will be held in the Tow Hall on Sept. 15th with the public invited. An Installation Committee of Arthur Hall, Warren Rogers, Gideon Fortin and Joseph Dutra were elected. A sum of $20.00 was appropriated for the event. A Testimonial Dinner to Dr. Hall, Department Vice-Commander, was organized with Cliff McCrillis, Pat. J. McMahan, Ed. Bemis and William Begley serving on the committee. The Post will give a suitable gift to Dr. Hall at a sum of $10.00. Delegates to the Taunton Convention reported. Atkins spoke on the Dept. by-laws amendments; Thomas spoke on the 10 cent extra per capita tax; McMahon spoke on the 10th District Caucus and the election of P.C. Dr. John H. Hall to Dept. Vice-Commander. All reports were accepted of the Delegates with thanks. Adjourned at 9:45.

October 2, 1939: - ******* Commander Horace Atkins called the Post meeting to order in Legion Hall with 31 members present. Inspection of cards. Colors advanced. Clifton McCrillis, assisted by Sgt. @Arms P.J. McMahan, installed W. Bernier as Athletic Officer and Henry Marois as Executive Committeeman. Welfare Officer Harold Dunham will be allowed to purchase some sick cards. Accepted the invitation of Rev. Rogers to attend church at No. Middleboro Nov. 5. Voted to allow both the 10th District Executive Committee and the 40 & 8 to meet in our rooms. Gave authority to Warren Rogers to collect 12 bugles and all drums for use of the Sons of the Legion Drum Corps. Voted $20.00 for the membership campaign. Voted NOT to hold an Armistice dance this year. Voted in the affirmative that the Legion buy both markers for Nickerson St and John Glass, Jr., Square. If the VFW wanted to buy one let them pay their share. Romeo Millette was delegated to get the post and have them set.

November 6, 1939 : - ******* Under committee reports, P.C. Dunham reported the new street markers for Nickerson Ave and John Glass, Jr., Square were perhaps ready. On a letter dated Oct. 11, 1939 the VFW agreed to buy the marker for John Glass Square. The Post voted to send a letter of thanks to The Middleboro Gazette for sending papers to sick veterans in hospitals. Service Officer Louis Cole reported that Comrades Hanson, Finn, Vaughan, Nelson, E. Keedwell, Boucher and Albert Bernier were currently in hospitals. A new chair committee was given authority to buy chairs with a sum of $50.00. Voted to hold a raffle to raise funds to paint and decorate inside. Warren Rogers reported progress on the Sons of Legion, particularly on the drum corps. 2nd Vice M. Rose reported good work on trying to raise funds for the Sons. Voted that Chas. Card, president of the Saturday Nite Club, have a key to the dish closet. A letter of thanks will be sent to Mr. DeVinny for donating flowers to the Dr. hall Testimonial. Elected to the Local Veterans Council were Clifton McCrillis, George Dunham and Horace Atkins. Alternates elected were Wm. Begley, Henry Marois and Snow. The amount of $12 was voted for Finance Officer supplies. The Welfare officer was given $2.00 for supplies. P.C. Fletcher Clark, Jr., as clerk of the Memorial Association, arrange a meeting to be held after the December Post meeting.

December4, 1939 : - ******** Finance Officer Thomas reported $436.97 on hand. William Begley, membership committee, reported that 165 members were need by 1940. The quota of the Post has been going up from year to year and this put the Post under hardship of ever winning a trophy. Henry Marois reported that $40.00 has been made for the Sons of the Legion by selling Thanksgiving turkey. Manuel Rose worked hard on this committee, it was reported. Vote to donate $5.00 to the girl scouts. Donated $2.00 to but tuberculosis stamps. Voted to send $5.00 to the State Department Auxiliary to help distribute Christmas to needy veterans in hospitals. The amount of $3.00 was added to the cost of the recently purchased chairs. Voted to purchase 500 2 cent stamped envelopes with letter heads and 1,000 sheets of paper with letterheads. The janitor will purchase a new flag. Voted to send $1.50 for Christmas for Comrades in the hospital The bronze marker for Nickerson Avenue cost $32.50, according to George Dunham. A thanks you letter will be sent to the Town Manager for his co-operation in setting the markers. Dr. Charles Porter and trustees of the Unitarian Church for their co-operation. The Legion will enter a basketball team in the YMCA League at a cost of $10.00. The Athletic Officer was allowed to buy a pair of basketball pants for one of the team member. The meeting adjourned for a meeting of the Memorial Association. ( Compiled by RNL 2014 )