CHADWICKS -- Before the Oneida County Convention got underway at Clonan Post 1000 on Saturday, June 8, members of the Legion Family and color guard gathered across the street at the Willowvale Fire Company to welcome runners in the NY Run for Fallen Heroes.
As New Hartford Post 1376 color guard came to attention and Legionnaires rendered salutes, the runners circled around the contingent, then formed up in a line and snapped to attention as they read the names of fallen warriors – with one of them holding a tiny flag aloft for each name and then lowering it.
Once the ceremony was over, convention attendees returned to Clonan Post, where Run for the Fallen volunteer Deb Green went up to the podium and enthused her gratitude to The American Legion for demonstrating support for the runners. She said the runners’ ceremony was live-streamed so families could see the honor shown for their fallen loved-ones.
County Commander Mike Wakefield called the convention to order, with the advancement of colors, Chaplain Roger Perry’s opening prayer, and the singing of the national anthem by New Horizons barbershop quartet.
Memorial Service Strikes Chord
Then came the memorial service for Legionnaires who died in the past year. It struck an emotional chord with special guests. Coming on the heels of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, State Sen. Joe Griffo said it was important to remember the sacrifices made, and went on to thank veterans for not only their military service, but for serving their community as well.
Both Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon and Sheriff Rob Maciol said the service was especially meaningful because it included the name of her father, William Goodman – who also was the sheriff’s mentor. Goodman had been a long-time public servant and member of Whitestown Post 1113.
Another guest was Sitrin Healthcare Vice President Jackie Warmuth, who heads the Sitrin Military Rehabilitation Program. The rehab program, she explained, provides an array of free therapy services for veterans, thanks to donations from the community and The American Legion.
Commander Wakefield took the opportunity to present her with two checks for the program -- $628 from Oneida County American Legion Committee, raised during its monthly meetings, and $750 from his own Clonan Post’s fundraising.
There were brief remarks by Legion Family leaders from the 5th District as well as the county, and then annual awards and recognition filled the balance of the meeting before the election of 2024-2025 officers took place.
Legionnaire of Year
Thaddeus Potaczala from the Edward L Clonan Post 1000 took honors as Oneida County Legionnaire of the Year.
World War II veteran Stanley Potrzeba from New Hartford Post 1376 was named Oneida County Senior Legionnaire of the Year.
Law and Order/First Responder
William J. Baker of Lee Center Fire Department was named Oneida County Firefighter of the Year. He was cited for his “outstanding service” to the community, including responding to “an unfathomable number of emergency calls”. He was named the department’s fireman of the year on three occasions, and has served as lieutenant, assistant chief and chief, plus as department president for more than 37 years.
Membership Awards
Western Memorial Post 1846 in Westernville was recognized as the first to achieve its membership goal.
Posts achieving 100% of quota
1. Western Memorial Post 1846
2. Clifford Fulmer Post 92 (Waterville)
3. George Glenn Hughes Post 890 (Remsen)(
4. Arthur S Moran Post 66 (Camden)
5. Clark Mills Post 26
6. Henry P Smith Post 24 (Rome)
7. Edward L Clonan Post 1000 (Chadwicks)
First to make quota by early deadline in their categories- Small, Medium, and Large Posts
Small (1- 199): Western Memorial Post 1846 (Westernville), Clifford Fulmer Post 92 (Waterville) and George Glenn Hughes Post 890 (Remsen)
Medium (200-499): Henry P Smith Post 24 (Rome)
Large (500 and over): None
The Largest Post Award went to New Hartford Post 1376 (with 512 members)
Posts with the highest percentage increase
Small: Western Memorial Post 1846
Medium: Henry P Smith Post 24
Post Publications
Editor Fred Williams of New Hartford Post 1376 walked away with the Newsletter of the Year Grand Prize.
Lucy Burgard, editor of Lee Legion Post’s Legion Legend, won Newsletter of the Year First Place for monthly newsletter, and Editor Ken Shilkret of Helmuth-Ingalls Post 232 in Clinton took Newsletter of the Year First Place prize for his quarterly publication.
Scholarships
Scholarships of $500 each were awarded to four high school students.
Emma Solon, sponsored by Utica Post 229, received the Russell Myers Memorial Scholarship.
Derek Rieben, sponsored by Oriskany Post 1448, received the Donald Hemming Memorial Scholarship.
Mackenzie Grogg, sponsored by Lee Legion Post 1794, was awarded the William E. Christie Memorial Scholarship.
Julianna Vetter, sponsored by Utica Post 229, received the Horace L. Moore Memorial Scholarship.
Election of Officers
The convention concluded with election and appointment of officers.
Mike Wakefield was re-elected county commander. Here is the full list of officers:
Commander
Michael Wakefield , Edward L. Clonan Post 1000, Chadwicks
Vice Commander
Kayleigh Gallup, Sylvan Beach Post 1153
Adjutant
Walt Constantini, Lee Legion Post 1794, Lee Center
Chaplain
Roger Perry, Lee Legion Post 1794, Lee Center
Treasurer
William Park, Sherrill Post 230
Historian
Frank Carletta, Henry P. Smith Post 24, Rome
Sgt.-At-Arms
Doug Martin, Lee Post 1794. Lee Center
Judge Advocate
Ermelindo Laracuente Jr , New Hartford Post 1376
Service Officer
Dan Clark, Clark Mills Post 26
Executive Board
Lucy Burgard, Lee Legion Post 1794
Duane Clark, New Hartford Post 1376
Marion Stark, Holland Patent Post 161
Don Guerling, Charles J. Love Post 406,
Robert Stronach, Utica Post 229