Walter F. Baker of Seneca County was unanimously elected Commander of the Department of New York, The American Legion at the closing session of the 75th Annual Department of New York Convention, “The Diamond Jubilee,” in Syracuse, New York, Saturday July 17, 1993.
Walter was born in Meshoppen, Pennsylvania, July 20, 1931 and attended Bloomsburg State Teachers’ College and the Elmira College in New York. He was married to his wife the former Beverly Wood of Vestal, New York and they have three daughters, Debbie and twins Cheyrl and Carol and five grand-children. Walter worked as a spectrographer for Westinghouse, Corning Glass and Sylvania and administrative manager for Sarah Coventry. He was a Rural Carrier for the US Postal Service. He and his wife were the owners of McCarthy Jewelers in Seneca Falls, New York. He joined the US Army and was assigned to the Field Artillery, 280 mm Atomic Gun Battalion, during the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1954.
Walter joined The American Legion in Pennsylvania in 1954. Moving to the Seneca Falls area in 1967 he transferred to Kirk-Casey Post, No. 366, Seneca Falls, New York. He served for seventeen years as the Bingo Chairman. Four years as Editor of the Post Newsletter. Chairman of Post Building Fund Raising Committee. Oratorical Committee Chairman for sixteen years. Boys State Committee for eleven years. House Committee Chairman for two years. Five years, member of Post Color Guard. Coach of Post Junior Auxiliary Color Guard, won State Parade Street Championship. 1st & 2nd Vice-Commander, Adjutant, and Post Commander. He is a Life Member of the Post. At the County level he has been Chairman of Credentials, Americanism, DMS, Membership and Publicity Committees. Chairman, National Commanders Visitation. Vice-Commanders, and Seneca County Commander. At the District level he has been Chairman of Distinguished Guests, Oratorical and Protocol Chairman. Vice-Commanders and 7th District Commander. He has been Department Historian, Chairman, Oratorical, Americanism, Trophies & Awards Committees. Member of Resolutions Committee and Sergeant-at-Arms. Inaugurated, and President for one year of Department Historians Association. Presently is Chairman of the Departments Protocol Committee.
He has served as Vice-Chairman, National Americanism Council. Consultant, National Children & Youth Commission. Local Representative for National Regional 2 Oratorical Contest.
Walter passed away on October 12, 2012, after a battle with cancer.
