What do Cornwall’s Colette Fulton, Grace Mazzocca, Mary Quinlin, MaryAnn Kline and Brenda Mannion have in common? They are all the wives of past Commanders of Cornwall American Legion Post 353. The five ladies – although Mrs. Kline was unable to attend – were honored at a Sunday afternoon tea held at Storm King Engine Co#2 Firehouse on August 25.

The event was hosted by the American Legion post – specifically, though, the three ‘go-getters’ of the post, the lone female veterans in it. Felicia Lecce (US Army, RET), Vania Czumak (US Coast Guard, RET) and Marie Sanchez-Neville (US Marine Corps) created a lovely space to honor not only the five women, but also hosted other Legion member wives and members of the community that support The Legion. Several dozen people were in attendance.

It was Vice-Commander Richard Randazzo, the longest-standing member of the Legion, who first took a minute to thank the three Legion members who organized the event. He called Lecce, Czumak and Sanchez-Neville ‘go getters’, saying they have been instrumental in getting the American Legion much more involved in the community in recent years than in previous decades.

“With these three women in our Legion has really broadened our perspective,” he said. “They stand out by hosting parties like this, and by visiting our senior citizens and our nursery schools. That’s what’s going to keep this tradition – of the American Legion – alive.”

Commander Pete Kurpeawski was unable to be at the tea party, Randazzo said, leaving him to speak briefly. He called it an honor to be there.

“I think when we look at the military, and the fact that less than one percent of our population serves, in truth, it’s the entire family that serves,” Randazzo said. “And that carries through to all the things, like the VFW and American Legion.”

Lecce introduced each of the honorees before they enjoyed a lunch of tea sandwiches, salads and sweets, all prepared by the three hostesses and their families. They offered a champagne toast to the honorees as they sat at a beautifully decorated head table.

Lecce introduced two other women veterans attending the event, Betty Jurgens (US Marine Corps) and Kim Farrier (US Army National Guard, RET), and they also received applause. Kim Eachus, the wife of New York State Assemblyman Chris Eachus, and Town of Cornwall Councilmember Virginia Scott were also acknowledged.

“We’re here today because we were thinking how important it is to recognize these five women,” Lecce said. Sanchez-Neville noted that Legion Past Commander Jim Kline, also in attendance, was instrumental in it happening.

In the invitation to the five honorees, the three organizers wrote: “You all have served our country, either by supporting your spouse while he served our country, keeping the family strong, or in some cases serving in the military yourself. We, the members of Post 353, want to take a moment to thank you. A grateful nation holds all of you in its heart.”

The party started with a short prayer, and a moment of silence for recently deceased American Legion member Ken Cashman.