In December of 2011, I received two calls. One was from the post commander from Post 429 in Fitchburg, Mass. The other from the adjutant from Post 151, in Leominster, Mass. They both wanted me to transfer to their post. Frank Ardinger from Post 151 told me their next meeting is the third Monday in March at 7 p.m. I could join them then to see if I liked their post. I was impressed by their baseball team. A veteran would throw the first pitch at all home games. The players and coaches would sign the ball and hand it to that veteran. I ended up transferring to Post 151 that night.
Around September or October, the members of that post were invited to the board meeting. David Henderson asked me if I would like to take on the position of Jr. vice commander. I really didn't think I could take on that position. At first, I said no, but later asked what my duties would be. They didn't really know since it was a new position for that post. Later, David said one of my duties would be to help with fundraising and do what the commander might ask. I said yes because I was good at fundraising. I would help whenever I could.
I performed my duties as Jr. vice commander for a year. The first thing I did was contact the Department of Massachusetts for an officer manual. I'm glad I did. The commander had a family emergency, so I had to conduct that meeting. I learned a lot from the manual.
In our post, the Sr. vice commander handles membership. I took on this position for five years, within which I brought in over 30 members, mostly transfers. I received four out of five awards for membership: three first place and one second place.
Eventually, I was voted in as commander. I was commander for five years and received a lot of awards in this time. Legionnaire of the Year, Veteran of the Year from the American Legion County of Worcester, Veteran of the Year from the city of Leominster, Service of the Year from Leominster and Volunteer of the Year from Edith Nourse Veterans Memorial Hospital in Bedford, Mass. With the help of my post members, I raised a lot of funds for my post at the Johnny Appleseed Festival, Flag Distribution, Meat Raffle, Indoor Yard Sale and raffles.
I go well beyond my means to help all veterans. I also visit veterans in their home and the local rest homes. I was able to transfer a member into my post after I gave a speech at the Manner on the Hill in Leominster. The veterans took care of me in the past when my unemployment ran out. Now it's my turn.