100th ANNIVERSARY BANQUET:CAMPBELL NAMED LEGIONNAIRE OF YEAR

Over 125 persons were in attendance on Saturday, August 24 at the 100th Anniversary Celebration banquet for Middleborough’s Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 of the American Legion. The Post was founded on June 23, 1919 during a meeting of returning soldiers and sailors of WW1.

 The event, which was held at the VFW’s John F. Glass, Jr., Post 2188 hall, was highlighted by the announcement that longtime Post 64 Legion member Walter D. Campbell, Jr., had been named the Department of Massachusetts Legionnaire of the Year.

 Banquet audience attendees learned of Campbell’s honor when Post 64 Commander/Historian Bob Lessard, who had nominated Walter for the honor, read the news from the podium.

 “Walter was a member of the Sons of the Legion in 1937 at age seven and played a bugle in the Post 64 band. He also was a paid up member throughout his 27 year career in the United States Navy,” Lessard told the audience.

 Lessard further stated, “In my estimation, Walter has been the glue, which has held Post 64 together throughout the years. His involvement with Middleboro’s Veterans Honor Guard was the guiding force for its success.”

 Mr. Campbell, who was hospitalized at a Boston facility recuperating from a recent stroke, learned of the prestigious award by a phone call from the banquet. Legion member Paul Provencher, who organized the banquet, had arranged for a bedside video phone call to the bedridden Campbell.

 A special American “Legionnaire of the Year Blue Cap” was awarded to Walter from the Department. Also, he was presented a jacket and a summer shirt both embossed with the “Legionnaire of the Year” title purchased by Post 64 members.

 Another presentation surprised the banquet audience. Lessard, acting as Historian, explained that Post 64 was organized on June 23, 1919, thus the 100th Anniversary Celebration. He then displayed a 100-year-old framed store window card poster, which advertised the organizing meeting for “Soldiers and Sailors.”

 The professional sound system and music for the banquet was provided by Post 64 member DJ “Johnny Angel” (Jack Remedis) of New Bedford.