Wayne County Star

Legionnaires take over Marion for Convention

2009-06-17,Lois Benning / Wayuga Contributing Writer

  
A Chinook helicopter, supplied by the                   Legionnaires march in the parade  Rochester National Guard, was the highlight       during the event.
 of the Legionnaire convention in Marion
June 13.


MARION - On June 13, more than 1,000 American Legion members gathered in Marion for their 7th District Convention. Counties represented were Wayne, Cayuga, Seneca, Steuben, Ontario, Livingston, Monroe and Yates.  The convention is held in the county which has the current commander for the 7th District. Mark Wyman, who lives in Marion.
A parade was held with bands from the area. The parade chairman was Harry Pickard, of Ontario. Marion High School Band placed first, Towpath Band from Palmyra placed second and the Savannah Elementary Band placed third in the competition.
A Chinook helicopter was displayed in Marion Town Park and more than 500 participants toured it. It was flown here by the National Guard Unit in Rochester. A Civil War re-enactment was also held in the park. They had camped in the park overnight.
Each year, legion posts nominate someone from their post for Legionnaire of the Year.  Past legion commanders determine the winner. The 2009 award went to Mike Montemorano from the Clyde Post.  Montemorano, who chaired the convention, joined the service on June 13, 1970 and has been a Legion member for 36 years so this was a special honor and date on which he received it.