Thirty years ago, after having been retired from the US Navy for eight years, Ed Reese missed the sea stories of his fellow sea service veterans and wanted to gather together some western New York Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard veterans. He started an organization, naming it Navy Club of Lake Ontario, Ship 1812. The name was in honor of the battles on the Great Lakes during the War of 1812. March 14, 2022 marked the 30th anniversary of the commissioning of the organization. Reese says that thanks to Shipmate Bob Currier, Old salt Ron Ayrault (plank owner), Admiral John Comins, and so many others, the club is still going strong. Stop by 21 Clinton Street, Brockport, to check out the sea service museum or have a drink at the bar. Shown above are members of the Navy Club of Lake Ontario, Ship 1812 at their Commissioning on March 14, 1992 (l-r) Sonny Pratt, store keeper; Dan LaBarge, master-at-arms; Ron Tolzin, national commandant; Ed Reese, commander; Tom Kuczmynda, executive officer.
This photo originally appeared in the Suburban News and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald in April 1992.
