A sign signifying the name change is installed at the Legion post home on Simonds Road.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The local American Legion post has a new name but maintains its old commitment to community service.
This Memorial Day weekend, the members of Post 152 officially rededicate the Simonds Road headquarters from Richard A. Reuther Post 152 to J. Michael Kennedy Jr. Post 152, in honor of the longtime member who died in May of last year.
The post was named for Ruether, a charter member, in 1956, shortly after the state representative's sudden death. A Williams College graduate, he served four terms in the House and had been an administrator in the Veterans Administration; he was known for his many efforts on behalf of veterans.
Kennedy was an Army veteran and a longtime police officer in Williamstown, including the police chief for 11 years. He was an active member of the Legion and was the town's veterans agent for years.
The name change was announced last year during the annual Memorial Day service at the Field Park rotary, one of several high-profile events for the Legionnaires throughout the year.
Although most residents may know the local American Legion from holidays like Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day or from events like the annual Cal Ripken League Opening Day, where Post 152 provides a color guard, the organization is active throughout the year.
Around this time of year, Post 152 purchases and places American flags on the graves of veterans at all four of Williamstown’s town cemeteries.
And around Veterans Day, in addition to holding ceremonies at the cemeteries and Field Park, Post 152 participates in a celebration of veterans at Williamstown Elementary School.
Behind the scenes, the local American Legion post helps veterans who qualify access health care and disability benefits for injuries sustained while in service to the nation.
The local Legionnaires contribute thousands of dollars each year to other local charitable organizations and show particular interest in education.
The post annually holds a swearing-in ceremony for new citizens and invites students from Mount Greylock Regional School to both attend the festivities and eat lunch with the newly naturalized citizens.
It sends eight to 10 high school students to Boys State and Girls State camps where the youngsters learn about government at a cost of between $2,500 and $3,500.
And it provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the amount of $5,000.
All of this against the backdrop of membership declines that have hit the American Legion hard across the commonwealth and across the nation.
"Our only income is from our endowment, along with a percentage of our membership dues," a member of Post 152 said this month. "We are able to maintain our building and most expenses with this endowment, however to maintain our support for charitable causes is getting to be challenging.
"It would be deeply appreciated if anyone might consider Post 152 so we may continue our effort to provide this community support."
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Mount Greylock Committee Accepts ARPA Offer, Sets Vote on Latin
By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Mount Greylock Regional School Committee on Thursday moved forward with a proposal to fund a consultant with about $66,000 of Williamstown's American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Meanwhile, it held off on a decision about whether to resuscitate the middle-high school's Latin program, scheduling a special meeting for Tuesday, June 18, to make that call.
The 4-0-1 vote on the DEI consultant work came after the Select Board earlier in the week affirmed its support for the idea, which was brought to both the town and school district by parents concerned about the school district's policies about and response to "bias-based, hate, bullying and Title IX incidents."
The parents are asking the district to hire a consultant to review the district's current policies and how it measures progress in making the schools more equitable and inclusive. The parents group also hope the consultant can advise the district on its communications practices, hiring and retention of staff and implementation of restorative justice.
"The deliverables from this review should include actionable best practices updates to policies and protocols and sustainable recommendations for measurable change," according to a memo from the parents to the School Committee.
Interim Superintendent Joseph Bergeron, who has consulted with the parents group, told the School Committee that the next step following Thursday's vote would be to assemble a committee to draft a request for proposals to find a consultant.
In the meantime, Bergeron said, the district would not wait for the consultant but continue to do its own internal review of its policies and procedures to address concerns raised by, among others, the district's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging/Parent Caregiver Action Network.
The Mount Greylock Regional School Committee on Thursday moved forward with a proposal to fund a consultant with about $66,000 of Williamstown's American Rescue Plan Act funds. click for more
The eponymous exhibition traces Lethiere's career from a red chalk study of a nude figure he did at 16 in 1776 to 1831's "Lafayette Introducing Louis-Philippe to the People of Paris."
click for more
There was little wonder why the North Adams native's life was worth celebrating as her family members shared reminiscences at the midday gathering.
click for more
Town Manager Robert Menicocci told the board that the Legislature recently permanently enshrined some of the pandemic-era loosening of regulations around outdoor alcohol and food service for businesses holding indoor licenses.
click for more
The game-winning rally started when Pittsfield junior Jack Abel led off by crushing a 1-1 pitch to left-center and racing all the way to third base, sliding in just ahead of the tag to give the Generals a sterling scoring opportunity. click for more