American Legion Post No. 150 marks 100 years
The Kingston American Legion Post No. 150 at 18 W. O’Reilly St. celebrated its 100th anniversary Saturday afternoon with presentations, speeches and a barbecue.
The post was established in 1919, said Hugh Reynolds, chair of the Centennial Committee. It was founded by 153 original members just a few weeks after the national charter was adopted in Paris by World War I veterans.
With temperatures hovering around 95 degrees, the leaders of the celebration kept their comments brief. Despite the heat, the small crowd of young and old, sitting under tents just outside the Legion hall, remained enthusiastic.
Opening remarks were made by Kenneth Friss, the post’s commander. Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan, a retired army officer and the youngest post member, was scheduled to address the gathering, but was unable to attend. According to Reynolds, Ryan was called away when his wife went into labor a week early with their first child.
“You are our better angels,” said Paul O’Neill, Ulster County Commissioner of Jurors, referring to American veterans. “I’m staggered as I look at the list of your members. There are no people more deserving of our gratitude.”
The Kingston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1386 Color Guard fired a salute. Edwin Ford, 101 years old and a veteran of World War II, and Boy Scout Russell Diers, 16, a member of Troop No. 8 in Sawkill, laid a commemorative wreath by the flag. Veteran William Bittner, a bugler, played Taps.