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| Commander Ken Governor honors J. Donald Griffin. |
They honorees are:
-- J. Donald Griffin, a 90-year-old World War II veteran and former prisoner of war who is a 70-year member of Kensington American Legion Post 708 in Cheektowaga, Erie County. During dinner at Niagara Frontier American Legion Post 1041 in Buffalo, Governor praised his leadership roles as past Erie County commander, former 8th District American Legion Baseball chairman, and, for some 50 years, as a delegate to state and national conventions. Governor said Griffin promotes respect for the flag by giving talks at local schools on both the flag and the veterans who fought in World War II.
-- Robert Sondel, a 46-year member of Sikora American Legion Post 1322 in North Tonawanda, Niagara County. During dinner on March 1 at LaSalle American Legion Post 1142 in Niagara Falls, Governor praised his leadership as past 8th District commander, current 8th District adjutant and judge advocate, and as chairman of numerous Niagara County Legion committees. For his Post, Sondel serves as steward and volunteer manager.
-- Don Nagle, a member of Sackett-Merrill-White Post 575 in Bergen, and James B. Neider, a member of Glenn S. Loomis Post 332 in Batavia, both in Genesee County. They were honored during an afternoon dinner at Botts-Fiorito American Legion Post 576 in LeRoy. Governor cited both men's leadership as past post and county commanders, and as adjutants. Nagle is a World War II veteran with long-term service as historian on the post, county, district and state levels, Governor noted. He praised Neider's "passionate involvemenet in Flags for First Graders and the Four Chaplains Programs."
The commander's visits were joint visitations with New York Auxiliary President Barbara Corker and New York Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Detachment Commander John Chang.
