861 Attend Testimonial For State Commander Ernest Montrond

January 26, 1974

………………………………….A testimonial dinner was held on Saturday, January 26, 1974 at the Venus de Milo

restaurant in Swansea, Mass., to honor Ernest(Ernie) Montrond,outgoing American Legion

Commander of the Department of Massachusetts.Ernie was elected in 1973 to the Commander

status at the 55th State Convention in Springfield.

……….An astounding crowd of 861 Legionnaires,friends and family filled the restaurant hall to

give their thanks and best wishes to the East Taunton resident. He was the 59th Department of

Massachusetts Commander.

………. A 34 page Testimonial booklet filled with “Best Wishes” ads for Commander Montrond was

available as a souvenir for all guests. The booklet had a highlite page dedicated to his

American Legion history and activities.

…………..The page described Montrond’s history in this manner:

………………………. “Department Commander Montrond is a lifelong resident of Taunton, Mass. He was born

in Taunton on October 20, 1921.

…………..Educated in public schools in Taunton, ‘Ernie’ attended Taunton High School, graduating

with the Class of 1939. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps for the year 1939-1940. He

was employed by Winthrop Atkins Co., Middleboro, Mass. on December 5, 1941, until the present

time for a total of thirty-two years.

………….Enlisting in the U. S. Navy in 1943 and was discharged December 26, 1945 after serving

honorably and with distinction during his many duties for the U. S. Navy and his Country.

…………..Ernie then started on a new career with his marriage to the former Helen Louise

Athanasian on January 15, 1946. The family grew once again when their only daughter, Helen A.

Montrond was born the following year.

…………He joined the American Legion in 1946 maintaining 28 years of continued service to his

proud Post…The Simeon L. Nickerson Post No. 64, Middleboro, Mass. The service to his Post

brought him through all the chairs of Post 64 to the office of Commander in 1964. After his

successful year of his stewardship, he was voted a Life Membership by Post 64 in 1965.

…………Ernie became active in the American Legion 10th District and served thru the 10th District

chairs. He gained the honorable position of District Commander in 1965-1966 and the same year

holding the dual title of Department Executive Committee member.

……….He served as Department Sergeant at Arms for Department Commander Ed Norcott in 1966-67.

………..He was elected five times as Department Vice Commander and during those years served five

years as Department Chairman of the very important committee of Children and Youth.

……….Ernest B. ‘Ernie’ Montrond was elected to the high office of Department Commander at the

Springfield Convention in July 1973……….(Posted by Bob Lessard Historian 2014.)