At a time when experience and leadership are prime requisites, Post 44 has elected Art St. John as Post Commander for the 2010-2011 year effective August 7th. Art has been a member of the American Legion for 65 years and served as Commander of Post 15 in Jewett City in 1950 and 1956. He transferred to Post 44 in 1961 and served as Post Commander in 1964.

He served as Commander of New London County District 5 in 1958 and Department (State) Commander in 1961. Today, Art remains the youngest to have served as Department Commander of the Department of Connecticut (34 years old). And now, fifty years later, as Commander of Post 44 for 2011 he could be one of the oldest current Post Commanders in the Department at age 84.

Art outlined his exciting agenda for 2010-2011 on August 7th, setting specific priorities that included: recruiting younger veterans into Post 44, refurbishment of the All Wars Memorial which will celebrate its 20th Anniversary in May 2011. The work task are being developed and details of what has to be done will be announced by September 4th, including a fund raising drive to cover the capital costs to repair and renovate the Memorial.

“We’ll have our Ham Dinner on October 21st,” St. John said, “it’s more of a social ‘get to know each other’ than a fund raiser.” St. John added, “High priority programs remain Boy’s State, Girl’s State and the Post’s Scholarship programs”.
Memorial Day 2011 will be a re-dedication of the newly refurbished All Wars Memorial. Art St. John designed the original All Wars Memorial and was Chairman of the original committee that created and built the All Wars Memorial, so his experience and knowledge will be a great asset to the committee that is in the process of being formed for the work tasks and for a fund raising campaign to cover the Memorial refurbishment costs.

St. John is supported by a slate of officers that also offer many years of experience and some have previously held various Post offices.
The slate of Officers for the 2011 year include:
Sr. Vice Commander … .MICHAEL BRUNETTO
Jr. Vice Commander ……...…….. LEAH CLARK
Adjutant (Temporary) …...…… JOHN P. LILLEY
Finance Officer ………………. JOHN P. LILLEY
Judge Advocate ……...….……KEVIN E. CREED
Service Officer …….…A. RICHARD GILLETTE
Historian ………...…... FLETCHER E. COOPER
Chaplain ………………….….. FRED MAURER
Sgt. At Arms ………….….…. .FRANK FABBRI
Asst. Sgt. At Arms ……………………...….OPEN
Asst. Sgt. At Arms …………………...…….OPEN
Junior Past Commander ……….. JOHN AUCOIN
The next Post meeting will be at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 3rd at the Bantam Borough Hall.

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