At the New York State VFW Convention held in Buffalo June 23-25 George Whitney, commander and Chili Memorial VFW Post 412 took the three highest awards in the state for the second year in a row.

The awards represent excellence in all of the VFW programs, which include Community Service, Americanism, Service to Veterans Hospitals, Youth Membership and others. To win these awards two years in a row is quite an accomplishment because the Post has grown about 230 percent in the last two years, moving it up four divisions in the competition, according to post members.

Post Commander George Whitney was awarded the Empire State Commander and the All State Commander awards. Quartermaster Robert Batchelor and Assistant Quartermaster Robert Kenyon were awarded the All State Quartermaster and Assistant Quartermaster awards, respectively.

At the National VFW Convention to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in August, Chili Memorial Post 412 Commander George Whitney will receive the "All American Post Commander Award." This is the second year in a row that the Post was awarded this award and is a result of a lot of dedication and hard work, by post members, in veterans and local community programs, according to a Post spokesperson.

The post, located at 412 Ballantyne Road, has grown to almost 400 members in the last two years, an increase of 150 members. The Ladies Auxiliary affiliated with the post has 150 members. Anyone with overseas military duty, men or women, may be eligible to join and are welcome. Women interested in joining the auxiliary may be eligible through a family member who has served overseas. Contact the post home at 889-4120 or 426-3245 for information.