Fairborn Daily Herald
FAIRBORN — The American Legion Dignam Whitmore Post 526 has installed a new slate of officers for the 2016–2017 Legion Year.
Chuck Knaub turned over duties as commander Monday, June 6 to Al Burlingame. Also installed were Jeff West as finance officer, Roger Sloan as chaplain, Dave Kiernan as second vice commander and Jim Lindsay as trustee. Knaub takes office as first vice commander and trustee president. Burlingame thanked the membership for its confidence in electing him as commander and asked for everyone’s help in implementing the programs of the American Legion.
Knaub thanked his officers for their hard work. Knaub also presented tokens of appreciation to his officers and roses to his wife Debbie, Auxiliary President Cuca Bowen and Post Business Manager Penny West. Burlingame chose as his installing officers Past Post Commanders Jack Reed, Hal Miller, Ed Trefethen and Chuck Knaub.
Unit 526 American Legion Auxiliary officers were installed by former Department of Ohio American Legion Auxiliary President Susan Masten. Those installed included Cuca Bowen, president; Pat Drake, first vice president; Ellen Slone Farthing, treasurer; Judy Lafleur, executive board and sergeant at arms; Mecca Breczek, executive board; Carol Abney, executive board and Marlene Colinoit, chaplain.
Bowen thanked everyone for all their help in the past year and expressed hope for a successful coming year. Bowen also presented mementos to her officers. Knaub installed Rick Masten as first vice commander and finance officer for Squadron 526, Sons of the American Legion.
In a highlight of the event, Knaub presented the Burial Flag of Post namesake Robert Whitmore. Accepting the flag on behalf of the post was Senior Past Post Commander Floyd (Jack) Reed. Whitmore served in World War II and was killed in action at the Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 24, 1944. Whitmore was the recipient of the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. His brother Willard Whitmore, himself a Korean War veteran and member of Post 526, gave the post several mementos from the Whitmore family.
In addition to the burial flag, the Whitmore family gifted the Post with the Western Union Telegram notifying them of Whitmore’s KIA Status, his Silver Star and Purple Heart Citations and other memorabilia. Knaub and Burlingame expressed their appreciation to the Whitmore family for the items and said they will be displayed in the Legion hall at a later date.
