Post 64 Members Opened New Years With Busy Week

……….Members of Middleboro’s Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 had a somewhat busy during the first week of 2017.

……….Post 64 members opened the New Year of 2017 with one of two monthly free breakfasts for all veterans on Monday, January 2 at Simeon L. Nickerson Hall. Over 35 veterans took advantage of the first breakfast of the New Year.

……….This free breakfast was an “all you can eat” event and consisted of blueberry waffles, pancakes and sausage links and plenty of coffee, cranberry juice and bottled water. Post 64 photographer Mike Palmer was on hand with his camera to document the first breakfast of the year.

……….The veterans enjoyed the meal, which was prepared by head chef Bill Strojny, assisted by Post members Mary Standish, Don Triner and Tex Washburn. The next scheduled free breakfast will be held on Monday, January 16th. February breakfasts will be held on the 6th and the 20th.
……….Copies of the January edition of the “Nickerson News” were printed and mailed by Senior Vice Commander Paul Provencher. He was assisted in getting the first 2017 news bulletin ready by two hard working volunteers Dot Broadbent and Ruth Watt.

……….The “Nickerson News” is Post 64’s monthly newsletter, which has been published as far back to as least 1953. During that time frame and into the late 1960’s, the publication was managed by John D. Rockwell, Jr.

………..He was recognized over the years by the Department of Massachusetts. In an April 6, 1954 letter to Mr. Rockwell. Department Vice-Commander Joseph H. Ellinwood wrote, “I want to say, without any doubt, this is the finest sheet of its type that I have had the privilege of seeing in this Department.”

………..In addition, the state Vice Commander also wrote …. “it is well arranged, well written, and excellently prepared. The diversification of news in each edition encourages reader interest.”

………..Through the years, the post members, who have acted as publisher/editor of “Nickerson News” have kept up with the informative quality as mentioned in the 1954 letter. Congratulations to all of the past editors and of course to our current editor Paul Provencher.
………..Adding to the opening week activities of 2017, the Post held its monthly meeting on Thursday, January 5 at the Simeon L. Nickerson building, 8 Thatcher’s Row in Middleboro. Prior to the 7 p.m. meeting, Post members and their significant others were treated to a meal of Turkey A-La-King, home baked biscuits, cranberry sauce and green salad. Desert was bread pudding with lots of whipped cream. Sous Chef Mary Standish prepared the meal and was assisted by Bill Strojny.
...........................SPECIAL GUESTS AT MONTHLY MEETING

......Highlighting the week’s activities was the presentation of the Peace Light with its flame which designates peace, harmony and unity. The flame originates from one at the Grotto in Bethlehem and was a project started in Austria in 1986.

………..Special guests for the evening meeting were members of Middleboro’s D’Alessandro family led by Robert and Lina with sons Dante,10 and Philip,6. The family is involved with a worldwide peace project known as the “Peace Light”, which involves the International Scouting movement.

………..Ten-year-old Dante, who is a Tenderfoot Scout in Troop 333 of Freetown, has been representing scouting since receiving a flame from Bethlehem’s Peace Light on November 26, 2016. As members of Troop 333 retrieved the Peace Light at JFK Airport as it arrived from Austria.

…………The D’Alessandro family has participated in the Peace Light program since November. The family has even taken the Peace Light to a Boy Scout Troop in Montreal during Christmas time. It was in 2001 that a Canadian Boy Scout organization first brought the Peace Light to the United States at Ground Zero.
…………Locally, the Peace Light has been displayed and shared with the Mullein Hill Christian Academy and Rock Village Church. On Thursday evening, January 5, Bob Burke, Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 liason to Cub Pack 64 and Boy Scout Troop 64, introduced the D’Alessandros to the membership.
………… The veterans paid particular attention to Dante and Philip, who is a Tiger Cub Scout in Pack 29, as the Peace Light was described. The two scouts then passed out individual candles and shared the flame from the Peace light with all those attending.
...................Compiled By Bob Lessard Post 64 Historian