Middleboro Legion Unit Holds 45th Anniversary

March 21, 1964

…………………..MIDDLEBORO:-Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 American Legion celebrated its 45th

Anniversary on Saturday night with a dinner at Eugene’s restaurant.

…………Life membership in the American Legion was presented to Fletcher Clark, Jr., of 10 East

Grove Street as the Post honored its first Commander. Scheduled as principal speaker, Mr.

Clark received the life certificate from Commander Ernest Montrond prior to delivering a

history of the local unit.

…………Mr. Clark, an attorney and town moderator for many years, has served as marshal of

Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades for more than 40 years.

…………He is currently serving Post 64 as judge advocate. He spoke to the gathering about the

founding of the Legion starting at a caucus in Paris in 1918. Early in 1919, Congress gave the

Legion its charter. State Departments were set up in the same year and began to charter local

posts.

………….Past Commander Clark admitted stirring up interest in the organization here by setting up

a meeting June 23, 1919, in the hall above what was the post office. His small committee

interviewed prospective members and financed placement of notice placards around Middleboro.

Those attending that first meeting voted to start a post. (Historical note: see a photo of one

of the placards in the 1919 section of this website.)

………….Signing the original application for a charter were: Ira E. Amsden, Raymond L. Brothers,

Lester M. Bruno, John J. Leary, Patrick J. McMahon, Frank Moriarty, Clifton McCrillis, Ralph

O. Nickerson, Augustine G. Ouellette, Emil E.Savard, Albert F. Soule, John J. Sullivan, Harold

Tessier and Mr. Clark.

…………Mr. Clark noted that 10 of the 15 signers are living and four of the ten were present

Saturday. He spoke of the early meetings as “lively” and said 200 or more, sometimes attended.

Members soon rented the Grand Army Hall for $75 a year.

………….Special guests at the 45th Anniversary Harold Barnes of Halifax, senior district vice-

commander and Mrs. Hazel Pease of Kingston, district president of the American Legion

Auxiliary, joined by 125 members and their wives for the occasion.
....................(Posted By Bob Lessard Historian 2014.)