Edward W. Lawrence was appointed to serve as the Vice Chairman, on the National Americanism Council of The American Legions by National Commander, Roger A. Munson. Included is a brief summary of Mr. Lawrence’s activity in The American Legion and community.
Edward W. Lawrence was born in Tyre, New York, May 27, 1925, at the Crane farm on Gravel Road. The son of Leon and Dorothy (Crane) Lawrence. He was one of ten children, six sisters and three brothers. His father worked for the Seneca Canal System on the locks until he retired. Ed attended schools in Seneca Falls, graduating from the Mynderse Academy 1943. He served in the U.S. Army 1945-1946 and received a honorable discharge. He married Gladys Fay (Brand) Lawrence on December 17th, 1949. They are the parents of five girls and one son. Ed attends the Tyre Methodist Church and was a dairy farmer.
Some of the positions that Legionnaire Lawrence has held thru his Legion career are; at the Kirk Casey Post, No. 366 level, Commander, Vice Commander for two years, Sergeant at Arms, Service Officer, Building Fund Treasurer, Boys State Chairman, Post Color Guard, Drum Corps, Home Corporation, Life Membership Committee, Post Legionnaire of the Year. Life Member. At the Seneca County level; Commander, Vice Commander for three years, Adjutant, Treasurer, Membership, Legislative, Boy’s State Committees Chairman. District Convention General Chairman, National Commander’s Visitation Committee, County Legionnaire of the Year, Chairman, Finance (Budget) Committee, Delegate to the County. On the 7th District level; Commander, Vice Commander, Sergeant at Arms, Judge Advocate, Boy’s State Director, Membership and Post Charters Committee Chairman, 7th District Legionnaire of the Year, Delegate to District. At the Department of New York level, Vice Commander, Sergeant at Arms, Constitution & by laws Committee, Department of New York, Legionnaire of the Year, Delegate to Department Convention. On the National level, Americanism Commission, Vice Chairmen, of the National Council of The American Legion, Local Representative for National Oratorical Contest, Delegate to National Convention.
Ed was active in local community affairs. He has served on the Seneca Falls School Board for nine years. Spring brook Cemetery Association for fifteen years, Seneca County Extension Service for thirty six years, Rotary Club for nine years, Tyre Grange for twenty one years, Eastern Mike Producers Association for twenty years, Fayette Hunting Club for 40 years, American Legion chairman for the Seneca Falls Aqua Festival, American Legion Representative for the Recreation Center Fund raising Committee.
As an active participant at all levels of The American Legion, Ed performs admirably and is held in the highest esteem by his fellow legionnaires and friends. He is a man of energy and resourcefulness. His loyal and dedicated service to veterans and The American Legion is beyond reproach.
The American Legion is fortunate to have a member such as Ed. He has given generously of his time and talent for 71 years. In recognition of his outstanding service to The American Legion, Kirk Casey Post, No. 366 presented him with a Life Membership in 1972, He still serves his Post in a advisory capacity and attends Post meeting and functions on a limited bases.
Ed Lawrence has been retired for many years, and still resides on his farm on Trye Road with his wife of 65 years Fay, surrounded by many grand children and great grand children.
(This biographical sketch shows some of the high lites of the career of an extraordinary person and legionnaire. Along with many others and through theirs and Ed’s contributions and leadership, helped guide Kirk Casey Post, No. 366, through the second half of the twentieth century making the Post a leader in the Department. Mr. Lawrence was my mentor, showing the proper way to conduct Legion affairs and protocol. The thing he instilled in me was “The Post comes first, You work to promote your Post.” That principal, has guided me through the years. R.J. Blevins.)
