District 3, American Legion, has installed officers. From the left in front are Department of Maine judge advocate, Gard Enman; national executive committeeman alternate, William Bickford; and Commander Donald Simoneau; back, Americanism officer, Gary Purrington, Post 150, Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland; commander, Kenneth Bouchard, Post 10, Livermore Falls; first vice commander, Raymond Lemieux, Post 153, New Auburn; service officer, Jesse Pierce, Post 150; finance officer, Ashley Rowe, Post 150; adjutant, Bill Barr, Post 66, Lisbon Falls; historian and public relations representative, Paul Bernard, Post 111, Turner; and sergeant-at-arms, Warren Clark, Post 111. Chaplain, Charles Berube, Post 153, and area representative, Thomas Naragon, Post 158, Lisbon, were not pictured.

American Legion District 3 installs

MECHANIC FALLS – District 3, American Legion, installed new officers on May 20. The event was hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary of Post 150.

Department of Maine Commander Donald Simoneau presented outgoing District 3 Commander Gary Purrington with a special American Legion hat.

The hat comes from National Commander Paul A. Morin and is called the “2007 Morin’s Minuteman.” The hat can only be obtained if the district commander succeeds in obtaining 100 percent membership.

Purrington was congratulated for his devotion and commitment to the American Legion family.

Former District 3 Vice Commander Ken Bouchard spoke as the newly installed district commander. Bouchard said, “I will continue to serve in the same footpaths of those who served before me.”

He said, “The American Legion family has been growing and will continue to grow if we continue working together as we have been, with a spirit of wisdom and unity upholding the purposes and goals of the American Legion family. Let us press ahead together in our commitment and dedication to God and Country.”

The district invites all eligible veterans to join the American Legion. For more information on membership, call 225-3285.