Sons of American Legion formed in Turner
Tuesday, February 19, 2008

TURNER - For the first time since 1920, a Sons of the American Legion organization is being formed in Turner. Present members are Ronald Ranger, Rance Ranger, Ronald Rines, James Hersom, Leo Gagnon, Robert Plourde, Michael Chavez, Christopher Hathaway and Dennis Richardson.
An organizational meeting will be held in March so members can apply for a Sons of the American Legion Squadron charter.
The Turner Sons are inviting all male descendants, adopted sons and stepsons of members of the American Legion and male descendants of veterans who died in service during the wars and conflicts to join.
The Turner American Legion Riders is also recruiting members. To be a member of the Riders, persons must be signed up in the American Legion or the Sons of the American Legion, the only two official membership programs in the American Legion.
Anyone signing up now will become charter members of the newly formed Sons of the American Legion Squadron 111.

Sons apply for Charter

March 07, 2008

From left to right front row: Commander, Michael J. Chavez, 1st Vice Commander Dennis S. Richardson, Finance Officer, Mark F. Duguay, Adjutant, Nathan J. McNear

Back row left to right: Historian Aaron S. Richardson, Sergeant-at-Arms, Tyler A. Richardson, Chaplain, Ryan S. Richardson

not pictured was 2nd Vice Commander Christopher Hathaway.

Turner - The Sons of the American Legion Squadron 111 of Turner, held their first meeting on Friday March 7th at the Leavitt Institute Building and Installed its officers.

Sons of the Legion, 1st Vice Commander Bruce Pierce, Department of Maine officiated, 3rd District Sergeant-at-Arms, Warren K. Clark served as Sergeant-at-Arms and 3rd District Officer and Post 111 Chaplain Paul R. Bernard served as Chaplain.

Sworn in were Michael J. Chavez, Commander, 1st Vice Commander Dennis S. Richardson, 2nd Vice Commander Christopher J. Hathaway, Adjutant Nathan J. McNear, Finance Officer Mark F. Duguay, Chaplain Ryan S. Richardson, Historian Aaron S. Richardson, Sergeant-at-Arms Tyler A. Richardson.

Department of Maine, 1st Vice Commander Bruce Pierce spoke to the group concerning the history of the SAL and its importance to the American Legion and its support of many worthy programs such as the Special Olympics, Blind Camp etc. Chaplain and Historian Paul R. Bernard spoke on the rich history of Turner veterans and made mention of Major Arch D. Leavitt, 16th Maine Regiment who died at Douglas Hospital in Washington D.C. from a wound received at the battle of the wilderness and is buried at Howe's Corner Cemetery. The battle of the wilderness took place on May 5th to May 7th 1864 at Spotsylvania County & Orange County and was the 1st battle of Lieutenant  General Ulysses S. Grant against General Robert E. Lee. He also made mention of Orville Young a Civil War veteran who died in Libby Prison. The Chaplain told the SAL that when a group of surgeons arrived at the prison they reported that the survivors of Libby Prison were found with: self respect gone, hope and ambition gone, half clad and covered with vermin and filth, many of them are too often beyond all reach of medical skill. The Chaplain closed by saying that the Turner memorial Post 111 web site has received nearly 500,000 hits in the first year with unique visitors from twenty eight countries. This country is quick to make veterans stated the Chaplain and it is also quick in forgetting them making mention of the U.S. Marine slaughter in Fallujah. Our responsibility is to keep their memory alive.

The newly installed SAL Commander Michael J. Chavez said, I have joined the Sal in Memory of my Grandfather a World War II veteran who didn't consider himself a hero. But in my eyes, he is my hero. Chavez also spoke of his future plans of developing the Turner Squadron 111.
 

PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE

 SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION

Proud possessors of a priceless heritage, we male descendants of Veterans of the Great Wars, associate ourselves together as “Sons of the American Legion” for the following purposes:

To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a true spirit of Americanism; to preserve the memories of our former members and the associations of our members and our forefathers in the Great wars; to inculcate a sense of obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the power of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy;  to consecrate and sanctify our friendship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness;  to adopt in letter and spirit all of the great principles for which the American Legion stands;  and to assist in carrying on for God and Country.

If you are interested in joining the Turner Squadron please contact the membership director; Dennis S. Richardson at 225-3945

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