Doc Simon born Feb 20, 1933 in Cold Spring,Minnesota of German immigrants.
Melvin Simon has been known as "Doc" since he was 7 years old. He, and his 6 buddies had a clubhouse in an abandoned garage across the street from his home. They all were great friends. Everyone had a nickname, except poor Melvin and they all tried to come up with one. While discussing the issue, a local dentist walked past the boys hanging out in an alley, near the clubhouse. One of the boys yellowed out "Hi Doc!!", the dentist acknowledged them and that's when Melvin knew that he liked the name Doc. Perhaps the respect that came with the title. From that moment on, his buddies in his club, through the military and in the clubhouse of the Legion, Mr. Melvin Simon was always called "Doc", no questions asked.
US Navy Korean War:Served on the USS Ticonderoga. Served for 4 years.
Department Americanism Chair 1972-74;Membership Chair 1971-72; Dept Vice 1971-72;
1974-1975 Department Commander
See photo pages when he brought back the William Randolph Hearst Award from the Hawaii Convention. Vermont won 1973,74,75 and again 1981 and 1982. Doc was instrumental in highlighting the Department in those years for their efforts in reporting with Consolidated Post Reports and Narratives.
National Executive Committeeman 1977-78
National Foreign Relations Commission 1982-2013 Vice Chair; National Foreign Relations Committee 2013-2020; Naitonal Legislative Council 2007-2019;National Membership Comm 1971-73;Nat. Security Council 1979-81.
National Vice Commander Sept 3, 1981 - Aug 26, 1982
Hartford Post #26 Commander 2007-2008 and 2000-2001
Due to the decline of Post #26 and the uncertainty of its continued charter, Doc transferred to Norwich Post #8 in 2014.
Doc's passion was Children and Youth and Americanism Programs. He hosted a High Scholar Senior Night, annually at Post #26,in support of their aspirations and future goals.
