Mining for Souls
Page 34
Organizations of Lyon Mountain page 3.
Sorrell-Woodward American Legion Post #1623
Dedication of Home, Sept. 1952
aleg43b.jpg = larger photo
After World War II, the returning members of the
armed forces were coming home to the small mining town of Lyon Mountain
hoping to be able to go back to the way of life they had known before December
7th, 1941. In putting away their old service uniforms, they wished to forget
the many tragedies and heartaches of warfare, but to most of these returning
warriors,
there were many incidents which they wished to remember and relive. Most
of these ex-servicemen were joining veterans' organizations in neighboring
towns and cities but it was always in their minds to organize a club of
their own here in Lyon Mountain.
Thus, in November, 1946, with the cafeteria of
the local high school for a meeting room, the dreams of these young men became
a reality. Along with the assistance and guidance of older veterans from World
War I, who for years belonged to American Legion posts in Plattsburgh, Dannemora,
and Malone, our own American Legion had its beginning. At this first meeting,
a lifelong resident of Lyon Mountain and a veteran of the first World War,
William Robinson, was selected as the first Post Commander. He and
his panel of officers were installed by Clinton County officers of the American
Legion, who came to give their encouragement and guidance to a newly organized
group of fellow men. These men were very fortunate to have among them one
returning service-woman, Miss Eva Ducharme, who gave much of her time and
efforts to this new group of veterans. She was later joined by another
woman, Loretta Hicks, and they remained for many years the only two women
in this great organization.
As with the beginning of any new club, a name had
to be chosen and agreed upon; one which we would be proud of in the coming
years. Since the community had lost two of its sons in the last crisis, World
War II, it was decided that the new post would be named after Nathan Sorrell
and Keith Woodward, the two young men who had made the supreme sacrifice for
their
country. It was also decided that the parents of our two fallen comrades,
Mr. and Mrs. John Sorrell and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Woodward Sr. would be life-long
honorary members of this, the Sorrell-Woodward Post.
Thus was the beginning of our new post and the
problems in the coming months were many. Funds were going to be needed for
the operation of the post, for the purchase of supplies, organizing a firing
squad, etc. The first social event took place on St. Patrick's night, 1947.
This was a dance held at the local high school and during the evening a washing
machine was raffled and won by James Nelson, an active member of the post.
The second function was an old fashioned square
dance in April which was also a financial success but the spirits of all
were dampened by the burial that morning of a departed comrade, James Ryan
Sr. The military services at this funeral were arranged by the newly elected
commander, Leo Bourey and because of the assistance from surrounding posts,
it was a very impressive ceremony, for a loyal and true Legionnaire.
The next couple of years were taken up mostly with
trying to increase the membership and fund-raising campaigns. Their ever-mindful
hope was of a new Legion home of their own and finally in 1951, after negotiating
with William Linney and the Cleveland office of Republic Steel Corporation,
a piece of land on the corner of the Bradley Pond Road was given to the Post
for the purpose of building a new Legion home. The old feed store located
on the railroad track behind Dr. Marvin's home and the back half of the North
Star store in Standish were donated to the Legion. The tearing down of these
old buildings was done by the voluntary help of the Legionnaires and friends
in the community. In the spring of 1952, enough rough lumber was amassed from
these old buildings to commence the construction of the new Sorrell-Wodward
home.
The summer of 1952 saw the new building taking
shape. Every evening the volunteers under the supervision of Dan Davies,
worked until dark framing the home with the used lumber. During the
strike in July and August, the men put in many long hours on the site; often
from early morning until evening. More volunteer labor was had when Mr. Linney
sent the company men down to work on the home during the weeks of the strike.
The winter months saw the home near its completion.
Donations from businessmen throughout the county of chairs, tables, stoves,
refrigerators, coolers, a television set, bar equipment, plumbing, heating
and electrical supplies were received. St. Bernard's Church here in Lyon
Mountain donated the heating plant which proved to be too small for the church
and operated for nearly fifteen years. The dream of these young veterans
was fast
becoming a reality and yet at no time was a mortgage necessary to make this
new home materialize. In its final stage of completion when funds were
exhausted, small loans were made by the members, but these were soon paid
back in the coming months.
On the evening of March 17th, 1953, the new home
was the scene of its first party. This was a combination St. Patrick's Day
and Birthday party, commemorating the beginning of the American Legion as
a national organization. Delegates from combat and service units of the American
Expeditionary Force in Paris, France, first founded the American Legion in
March 15 through 17, 1919. This party is still celebrated every year in our
home with a free banquet and dance for its members, the Legion Auxiliary and
their guests.
In July of that same year, the Beer-Bust was held
at the home instead of at Chateaugay Lake as in previous years and in August
a clam-bake which was also to become an annual event. In later years this
was changed to a beef barbecue with James Nelson and Anthony (Bubbick) Golovach
doing the honors at the charcoal pit. Another very special event in September
of 1953 was the official dedication of the new home. Guests included Department
and County officers, Gold Star mothers and political leaders from throughout
the county. Benediction and prayers for the deceased veterans was performed
by our first Post Chaplain, Rev. Donald Gallagher, pastor of St. Bernard's
Church.
In the first few months after the home opened its
doors, the members donated one and two evenings a month at tending bar while
their wives took care of the kitchen duties and worked as waitresses. As the
demand became greater for lunches and meals, a full-time cook was hired; the
first being Mrs. Vina Liberty. As funds became available, paid bar-tenders
replaced the volunteer help and soon the first addition to the home. In 1962
a much needed walk-in cooler and storeroom was added to ease the duties of
the bar help. Then with the ever growing membership, the dining room soon
was inadequate and in need of expansion. This was completed by 1967 and added
another twenty-four feet to the length of the dining room, making the home
much more comfortable at large functions. Soon again it was realized that
the rest rooms were too small for the growing number of members and guests.
So in 1972, two new rest rooms were added to the west end of the building
and the bar area was also enlarged. The following year the basement was completely
insulated and paneled making this another beautiful meeting room for monthly
meeetings and also for the use of local clubs and organizations. The home
is often the meeting place for hunting clubs, sno-sled clubs, bowling teams,
youth organizations, etc. and the downstairs quarters are ideal for this purpose.
Growth has always been foremost with the Sorrell-Woodward
Post. We have risen from being the smallest post in the county twenty-eight
years ago, to having the third largest membership in the county in 1975
with over 275 members. The Legion Firing Squad had increased its membership
to 36 completely uniformed men who unselfishly give their time to the task
of military funerals and also representing their post at parades and functions
throughout Clinton County. The donations from this post are many and
go to such groups as the Red Cross, Cancer Society, baseball teams in all
age groups, youth organizations, sponsor boys to Boys State each year, scholarship
awards and many others too numerous to mention.
As we read the names of the past commanders of
this post, let us remember that they each gave in their own way, along with
their committees, a small part in making our Legion, the Sorrell-Woodward
Post #1623, one of the finest anywhere. Let us also hope that the goals
of the future commanders and their officers will be the will of God, the will
of the members and for the good of all in the community, state and nation.
PAST COMMANDERS. POST #1623
William Robinson
Harry Healey
Leo Bourey
Charles Chase
Thomas Evans
Lawrence Chase
John Petrashune
Wendell Denny
Ignatius Yanulavich
Arthur Bourey
Bernard Harrica
Robert Golovach
James Von Wald
Howard Garsow
Clarence Benjamin
William Healey
Clarence Lawrence
Francis Kowalowski
Donald Tolosky
Floyd Brooks
Francis Siskavich
Donald Marcoux
SORRELL-WOODWARD UNIT 1623 AUXILIARY
LYON MOUNTAIN LEGION AUXILIARY
1975 Officers Left to Right:
Myrtle Siskavich-President
JoAnn Kaska-2nd Vice President
Sharron Pivetta-Secretary
Theresa Bushey-Chaplain
Leona Bingel-Treasurer
The Sorrell-Woodward Unit 1623 of Lyon Mountain
was formed in October, 1947. The first officers elected were:
President-Anna Shusda
1st Vice President-Cecila Langey
2nd Vice President-Mary LaVigne
Secretary-Frances Bingel
Treasurer-Theresa Ducharme
Historian-Jean Hamelin
Chaplain-Catherine Ryan
Sgt-At-Arms-Mildred Petrashune
The first meetings were held in the Lyon Mountain
High School because there was no legion home. In 1953 we held our meetings
in the new American Legion Home at Lyon Mountain. Important committees of
the organization are:
Rehabilitation-which includes bringing physical and mental cheer to the
veterans in the hospitals, aiding the disabled and handicapped to earn money
for themselves and their families.
Children and Youth-to help children and direct assistance whenever needed.
Cancer Control-make contributions to help with the research. Cancer
dressings are made for the local chapter of the Little Red Door.
Equipment-all kinds of equipment is owned by the unit such as beds, wheelchairs,
crutches, etc. Any person in need of any equipment can use it free of charge.
Poppies-Each year in May, poppies are sold from door to door to help with
the rehabilitation of the veterans.
Coupons-Betty Crocker Coupons are collected and turned into the county to
buy things for Mountain Camps.
Each year we have certain programs and parties.Kitchen
Showers are held each year. Each member brings any kind of cooking
utensils, dish towels, etc. These things are in need in the kitchen. Gold
Star Mothers are honored each May. We present them usually with flowers.
We also pay their dues for the year. Three Gold Star Mothers at present are:
Mrs. Rose Charland
Mrs. Nellie LaPoint
Mrs. Winifred Petrashune
Memorial services are held each Memorial Day. The
Auxiliary members march along with the legion and the Gold Star Mothers to
honor the dead in both cemeteries. A Legion Birthday Party is held every
year. The Auxiliary presents this Legion with a Birthday Cake and a present
for the Legion Home. The Auxiliary has sponsored the Girl Scouts. We
bought the Scouts their flags for them to use for their meetings and parades.
The Auxiliary participates in the Girl State Program. Girls are sent along
with other girls from the County to a week of employment. Some girls
that have been sent are: Joan Collins, Jackie Linney, Sylvia Pivetta, Shirley
LaDuke, Janice Morse
Some other things of interest that the Auxiliary
has done are: Sponsor a Blood Clinic in 1951, sent gifts to the boys in
service, sent gifts to Sunmount to be distributed among the veterans.
We attend funerals of members and Legionnaires in a body. The membership
of this year is 122. It is an active organization.
The present officers are:
President-Myrtle Siskavich
1st Vice President-Marilyn Yanalavich
2nd Vice President-JoAnn Kaska
Secretary-Sharron Pivetta
Treasurer-Leona Bingel
Historian-Geraldine Cayea
Chaplain-Theresa Bushey
Sgt-At-Arms-Patricia Minkler
Sources:
Adirondack Museum photos, Blue Mountain Lake, NY;
History of Clinton County, New York;
Go to Page 1 of The History of Lyon
Mountain.
Go to Page 3 of The History of Lyon
Mountain.
Go to Mining History for The History
of Mining in the North Country.
Go to Page 5 of The History of Lyon
Mountain.(for article on Lyon Mt. and Mineville)
Go to Page 35 of Mining for Souls.
Back to Page 33 of Mining for
Souls.
Go to Page 1 of Mining for Souls.(cover
page)
Rod Bigelow
Box 13 Chazy Lake
Dannemora, N.Y. 12929
rodbigelow@netzero.net 
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