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ine York Weekly ♦ seacoastonhne.comli tFounding ofVFW in 1946Post named in honor oflocal men killed in W.W. IIThe idea of organizing a local Veterans of Foreign Wars post came from five York Beach residents: Wilbur ''Abbey'' Trueman, Arthur “Dinty Moore, Herman “Buff Chase, Wolfrett Sport Eldredge and John Bob Hackney, all World War II veterans. These veteransthe AirBenjamin H. Blakeman and Elton A. Valentine.representedArmy, Army Corps and Navy.Their organizational meeting was scheduled to be held in April 1946, in the firemen’s clubroom of the York Beach Fire Department. However, because Bob Hackney wasUNKNOWN HISTORY OF YORKi.MiWilbur A. Trueman, an Army veteran of World War II, was unanimously chosen and installed as the first commander of the post by the membership. Other officers installed were Francis M. Stacy,senior vice commander; Eugene E. Rhodes, junior vice commander; John F. Garfield, quartermaster; Arthur B. Moore, adjutant; Herman W. Chase, post advocate; Harold R. Hutchins,8chaplain, and Albert E. Vonck, post sur-quite sick with a bad cold, the five veterans met at Bob's mother and stepfather's house, known as York Haven. It was located on Main Street, diagonally across the street from the present-day York police station, two houses north of the intersection with Cross Street.The fiveBY PETER A. MOOREveterans gathered around Bob’s bedside, and before the first meeting was over, thefoundation had been laid for thegeon.Installing officers were Ira Fonda, chief of staff of the Department of Maine V.F.W.; Robert Hodson, deputy chief of staff; Alfred H. Evans, district commander; Floyd Chase, department historian; R E. Wadsworth, Americanism officer; and Edward Neice, department adjutant and quartermaster.Mr. and Mrs. Carl G. Boardmancontinuation in peace-time life of the war-time comradeship of men who had served their country well,in time of need.Sr. and Mr and Mrs. Harley G. Ellis, of York Beach, were guestsof honor at the installation ceremo-After the initial meeting was held, a temporary home and meeting place was furnished for the new club, when the York Beach firemen and York Beachofficialsny. The post was named in honor of their sons, Eugene T. Boardman and Richmond H. Ellis, who were both killed in action during World War II. Mr. and Mrs. Boardman also had two other sons becomeCorporation officials joined together in offering the use of firemen's clubroom to the newly returned veterans.On Sunday, May 12, 1946, the Boardman-Ellis V.F.W. Post 6977was chartered under the laws of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Ceremonies were held in the York Beach fireman’s hall. More than 150 relatives and friends witnessed 24 veterans of World Wars I and 11 become members of the newly formed post.The charter members wereWilbur A. Trueman, John R. Hackney, Herman W. Chase, JohnF. Garfield, Arthur B. Moore, CarlG. Boardman Jr., James E. Boardman, Francis M. Stacy, Edward R. Remington, Russell F. Bowden, Martin G. Chase, Eugene E. Rhodes, James B. Adams, Wolfrett P. Eldredge, Arnold F. Weare, Raymond O. Weare Jr., Albert E. Vonck, Harold R. Hutchins. Thomas R. Anderton.Richard J. Wilson, Robert L. Wilson, Donald N. Crawford Jr.,charter members of the post.Several members of the Portsmouth, N.H., V.F.W., and Joseph Bobroff, commander of the Edward E. Ramsdell Post 56, American Legion in York, were also present at the ceremony.In September 1946, the post was honored with a gift that became one of its most cherished possessions. Spanish-American War veteran Cato R. Philbrick, of YorkHarbor, had inherited possession of the flag that had been once used by the oldest veterans' organization in York, the G A R unit known as The York VeteransAssociation. The flag was 18 feet long, 10 feet wide, and contained only 46 stars. Post members accepted the offer with great appreciation and thanks.Looking for help: York resident and Vietnam Veteran Michael A.Dow is gathering information on all the Veteran's memorials inYork, their locations, and a brief history of each one, with the hopes of publishing a brochure at a later date with all the gathered information. Much information has beenPhoto courtesy of Douglas A. TruemanWilbur Abbey” Trueman, of York Beach, was the first post commander of the Boardman-Ellis V.F.W. Post 6977, which was chartered on Sunday, May 12, 1946. Abbey was very instrumental in organizing the new post. He served in the United States Army during World War II, being assigned to Co. C, 30th Infantry Division, also known as the “Old Hickory Division,” which landed on Omaha Beach on Thursday, June 8, 1944, two days after “D” Day. This photo was taken in Ziegurriick, Germany, in May 1945.gathered on the memorials, but information is lacking on the dates of when the World War I and World War II memorials were dedicated.If anyone has any information about these dedication dates, orany information about any of the other memorials, call Michael Dow at 363-7924, or send an e-mail to madow@maine.rr.com.help in his research.The York Weekly features a continuing series of articles about the town's history for the enjoyment and edification of our readers, and so that those with information can assist local historians with theirMaybe someone has an old scrapbook, newspaper clippings or some other form of information, which can be shared with Mike, and can be used by him in hiswork. Readers with questions or information are asked to write Peter Moore at the York Weekly,P.O. Box 7, York, Me. 03909-0007, by phone at 363-6186, or by e-mail at \khistr\ @maine.rr.comLIBRARY, fiChild o torical no Portsmou Mattie is she learn danger • On Vlibrary vMultiCul Preschoc two sessi will run1second u Those aencc ncthrough telling ai is planne Kindergicome. S]sure to ring or e-i (324-07 Takisha with nan children• In the libra; by the v from Yo Friday, and 7honorinj• JusHELP!came wi for then for then some hparentinOn Satia.m. to in-a-life by Laur the TI Ever Hatschool cwith yc spend t apart an Space is Feb. 1.Brodskywor e-ma mat ion gbrodsl Your na dren’s tresearch. He would appreciate any
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York Weekly
York, Maine, US
Wed, Feb 01, 2006
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