Happy Fall Everyone!

Fall is off to a busy start within our Legion Family! The Halloween event was a huge success! It was fun to be part of such an important event! Thank you to our members and everyone that volunteered your time! Another successful event from Legion Family Post 574!

We ended October with 70% membership paid. Please get your memberships in. We are heading into a busy time and there will be plenty of things to do. We could use all the volunteers we can.

Greeting Squadron and Legion Post 574 family!

First want to say thank you to everyone who helped with the Halloween Family Fun Day! It was a great day, great weather and great turnout. Each year we keep on growing and coming up with new ideas to help make this event fun and better. If you have any pictures, please send them to any of the officers of the Legion Post 574 family.

On the morning of October 15, 1944, the B-17G “Lovely Julie” of the 398th Bomb Group took part in a raid targeting Cologne, Germany. Immediately after releasing its bombs, the aircraft sustained a direct hit from anti-aircraft fire; an 88mm shell exploded in the nose section, killing Staff Sergeant George Abbott, the togglier, instantly and seriously wounding the navigator, 2nd Lieutenant Raymond LeDoux.

The force of the blast shredded the entire nose of the bomber, tore loose the instrument panel such that only the compass and altimeter were somewhat functional, and left the pilots, 1st Lieutenant Lawrence M. DeLancey and 1st Lieutenant Phillip Stahlman, battling sub-zero temperatures at altitude with their boots partly exposed to the elements. Communication systems were knocked out and oxygen lines were severed, forcing the crew to rapidly descend to lower altitudes just to breathe.

Events like the efforts of the Auxiliary to bring the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to our Post, monthly SAL breakfast, and the Queen of Hearts raffle (to name just a few) have led to a membership surge in all entities.

Dan Lancette and Dan Nolin received plaques at the recent Family Breakfast to thank them for their hard work. The two Dans serve as model representatives of the values and standards upheld by the American Legion Family. Their support for the Post, Veterans, and community aligns with the goals of the American Legion and Sons of the American Legion and make our Post better. Thank you Dans!

Happy Fall, Summer is over and we begin our very busy fall and winter season. A special thank you to all of you who attended the 911 ceremony. We appreciate everyone that keeps this tragic event in your thoughts and those who perished in your hearts.

We have had our first meeting for Operation Full Plate and are busy collecting the names of those who can benefit from this program. If you know of any Veterans that could use our help, please reach out to one of the auxiliary members or email ofp574hf@yahoo.com, we would be happy to help. We will start collecting non-perishable items starting this month for distribution to our Veterans in need. Please verify expiration dates before donating items. Some items we will be collecting are Peanut butter, canned fruits, vegetables, soups. Crackers, pasta, canned tuna, etc. Also, toiletries like soap, deodorant, toothpaste. Paper goods, toilet paper, paper plates, napkins etc. Healthy snacks such as breakfast bars or dried fruits and nuts. Look for the donation box in the lounge.

Greetings Squadron and Legion Post 574 family!

First, I want to introduce myself as the new Post 574 SAL Commander. I have been part of the legion family my entire life, following and learning from my dad and legion membership. I look forward on taking on this new role of leadership and helping continue the growth of this great organization. I want to apologize for missing the September Newsletter, I’m new at this.

Greetings everyone we have had a very busy year. We started out with Memorial Day parades in Hudson Falls, Greenwich and Hartford. After many rainy weeks we were able to participate on some rides including the annual POW/MIA Ceremony on Prospect Mountain and escorting three different versions of the traveling Vietnam Wall.

We participated in several different benefit rides including Women Against Cancer who raised over $35,000. Other participants were the Altamont American Legion Riders, Stillwater American Legion Riders, Chestertown American Legion Riders, Cambridge American Legion Riders, Whitehall American Legion Riders, North Adams Massachusetts American Legion Riders and Down Range MC to name a few.

Images from the Vietnam Travelling Memorial Wall at Post 574 July 24-28, 2025

Hello Everyone! Summer is winding down and what a summer it was! After almost a year of planning, the 50th Remembrance of the Vietnam War event has come to a close. I am so proud of everyone and everything that we accomplished as a Legion Family to make this event a huge success! I can not thank you all enough for your time, dedication and contributions. I have never seen this Legion Family come together as we did for this event. I hope each and everyone of you are as proud as I am with this accomplishment. It was a beautiful, emotional four days. We met a lot of amazing people and were humbled by many more. The Auxiliary members had the honor of pinning over 300 Vietnam veterans with the 50th year commemorative pin. If you are a Vietnam veteran and did not receive your pin, please reach out to an auxiliary member and we will make sure you receive your pin. You earned it, you are entitled to it, and we would be proud to present it to you!

Happy June!

Hopefully the nicer weather is on its way! We have a lot to get ready for July’s big event! May brought elections for most entities. Congratulations to all the incoming officers.

With the Auxiliary’s elections complete, your auxiliary officers for the year are:

• President: Julie Montello
• First-Vice: Pat Tebordo
• Second-Vice: June Gaulin
• Secretary: Colleen Rich
• Treasurer: Cynthia Nevins
• Chaplin: Dawn Palmer
• Executive Committee: Michele Nevins, Kate Francis, and Danielle Haxstun

Congratulations to all of these ladies, I look forward to working with you all. We have great things coming our way!