Representatives from the Ferris-Goodridge American Legion Post #330 from Spencerport, officiated the celebration of Independence Day at the Ogden Senior Center on July 2. Post Chaplain and Service Officer Jerry Cunningham began the ceremony with a short prayer and read a story about the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence. Post Historian Bob Bechtold presented to the gathering of approximately 50 seniors that Post #330 was chartered August 27, 1919 and was named for two Ogden natives, Edward Ferris of the 78th Division, Army and Leo R. Goodridge of the 108th Regiment Infantry. Both men died within two days of each other, October 17 and 19, 1918. Pvt. Ferris' remains are interred in St.. John's Cemetery and Pvt. Goodridge's remains are interred in Creekside Cemetery, Churchville. Legionnaire Bechtold included in his presentation the many activities the Legion Post 330 performs for its veterans and the community. Examples include, hosting the Vietnam Veteran's Moving Wall, sponsoring Boy Scout troops for over 60 years, providing scholastic scholarships, sponsoring young men to attend Boy's State, participating in the Memorial Day Parade and ceremony, sponsoring Legion baseball, honoring Veterans on Veteran's Day, November 11 and promoting patriotism in the community by making available at the post various sizes of the American and the POW/MIA flags which are sold at cost. The president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 330, Betty Wieme, described the work of the auxiliary. They cooperate with veteran's organizations, Salvation Army, veteran's hospitals, and other auxiliary units. They make many donations of money, art supplies and time to help others, especially veterans. Their income is strictly donations and sale of Poppies on Memorial Day in May. Donations of money, art supplies, hotel toiletries, and fronts of greeting cards are accepted. Wieme distributed a pamphlet on flag etiquette and proper display of our nation's flag. Tom Eckler, Past Post #330 Commander, presented a POW/MIA flag to the vice president of the Ogden Senior Center, Dorothy Simpson. Upon completion of the presentation, the assembly moved outside to the flagpole for the raising of the new POW/MIA flag. The ceremony was concluded with everyone joining in the Pledge of Allegiance. |
