HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS
AVON TODAY
VFW post celebrates 75th anniversary By Nora Howard and Bill Newman Special to Today Magazine
VFW Post 3272 is named for U.S. Army Corporal Gildo T. Consolini, Avon’s native son who was killed in action during World War II in the South Pacific on July 13, 1943. The first Avon man to perish in a foreign war, he is buried in the Manila American Cemetery in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2020, the post has always been based in Avon but welcomes members from any town. On Nov. 27, 1945, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States granted a post charter petition by Avon veterans Frank Bonesio and Henry Kopp (both World War I vets) and William Dupee (SpanishAmerican War). The founding meeting of Post 3272, with 78 charter members, was held in Ensign Bickford Hall, now the Avon selectman’s chambers. Arthur Neriani was elected commander and John Silver was vice commander. In 1948, the Ladies Auxiliary was installed, led by president Helen Bonesio and senior vice president Marion Dawson. VFW State Commander Les Benard presented the auxiliary’s charter and the Hartford Chapter of the Ladies Auxiliary gave the new auxiliary a Bible. Times have changed, and today both men and
women are part of VFW auxiliary posts nationwide. The auxiliary at Post 3272 is currently inactive. The commander of the post today is Robert J. Nardiello of Canton. Since 2008, post members have written military service histories of 185 (and counting) Avon Gildo Consolini veterans of foreign wars. The notebooks of these service biographies are at the Avon Free Public Library’s Marian Hunter Local History Room. Over 600 members have joined Post 3272 since its inception, contributing civic concern and honoring the memory of veterans everywhere. Currently, 135 members embody the post’s local focus of supporting veterans and community service. From Memorial Day through Veterans Day, the post decorates the graves of local veterans with medallions and flags. Veterans perform memorial services at every town cemetery, sponsor the Memorial Day Parade, conduct a Veterans Day ceremony at the Avon Veterans Memorial (on the Town Green) and speak at Avon
Since 2008, post members have written military service histories of 185 (and counting) Avon veterans of foreign wars public schools during Veterans Week. Each year, veterans distribute VFW Buddy Poppies to raise funds for needy veterans locally, statewide and nationally. Considered one of Connecticut’s premier posts, Post 3272 is recognized as an AllState Post for its many years of growing membership and its community service. The post invites men and women who are combat veterans of foreign wars to join. The post holds two ongoing meetings: • Weekly on Thursdays, 9 a.m. BeanZ & Co. coffee café, Route 44, Avon All veterans invited • Monthly on fourth Wednesdays, 6 p.m. Zoom meeting for members only and their guests — pre-COVID, meetings were held at Prince Thomas of Savoy Society, Old Farms Road, Avon + www.facebook.com/VFW3272 Post 3272, P.O. Box 297, Avon, CT 06001 Nora Howard is Avon’s town historian, and Bill Newman is VFW Post 3272’s historian
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DECEMBER 2020 – www.TodayPublishing.net – TODAY MAGAZINE
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