Simon J. "Cy" Godfrey, was elected as Department Commander 7/29/39. At the time he was the youngest Dept. Commander elected to date.
9/21/1899- 4/23/1986.
He was a WWI Army veteran. Enlisting 11/23/1916, overseas 4/1/17-4/27/19. Discharged 4/17/1919. Machine Gun Company 1st Vermont Infantry
He was quoted that he attended the Paris Caucas for the beginning of The AMerican Legion. He was known as "Mr. Legionnaire".
He was a charter member of Green Moutain Post #1 in St. Albans, VT and served, at one time or another, on every committee, program or project.
1938-39 Dept. Commander; NEC 1945-1965.
He was the 1st Life Member in the Vermont American Legion.
20 years on National VA&R Commission
20 years as a trustee on the Vermont Veterans Home board.
Chairman of the Board of Civil Authority.
He was well known for leading the charge against moving Veterans Day and Memorial Days to Mondays, just for a three day holiday. He was quoted as saying "You can't change November 11th, anymore than President Roosevelt could change Thanksgiving, the Turkey just didn't taste the same".
Everyone knew Cy Godfrey, his love and dedication for this organization lived long after he left us. Cy died of a Heart Attack 4/23/86. PNVC James Brouillette, also from Post #1 eulogized his mentor, this doughboy that came from immigrants from Russia to escape persecution as a Jewish family. He cherished our country for that.
