American Legion community salutes Charles ‘Butch’ Allen

Butch Allen shares a laugh with Scott Woodard during the lighthearted roast part of the program. Photo by Gordon Miller

Butch Allen with his award. Photo by Gordon Miller

Denise Hall (left) and Susie Poulin (right) join Butch Allen during the entertainment part of the evening. Photo by Gordon Miller

Charles Butch Allen, left, in his role in the American Legion's Color Guard at a Veterans Day ceremony at Rusty Parker Memorial Park. Photo by Gordon Miller

Charles Butch Allen (center) with his award, surrounded by American Legion friends and family members. Left to right: Mike Woodard, Lillian Perry, Jim Forkey (behind), Sons of the American Legion Commander Topo Despault, Mark Forkey (behind), daughter Lori Wamser, grandson Willem Wamser (behind), Allen, Scott Woodard (back), granddaughter Heather Dickinson (back), Marana Allen, son-in-law Mark Wamser, daughter Amy Dickinson, Joe Robertson, and Legion Commander Wayne Goulet. Photo by Gordon Miller

March 5, 2022  |  By Mike Woodard 

On Saturday, Feb. 12, the Sons of the American Legion Post 59 sponsored an appreciation night for a local veteran Charles Butch Allen. 

Allen served in the Army National Guard for 27 years and has been a legion member at Post 59 for 43 years. He has served in many different roles as a legion member in Waterbury, most notably as Commander of the Color Guard and many years in the annual USO Show. 

To start off the event, legion Treasurer Scott Woodard led the Pledge of Allegiance and later a couple stories. Then Post 59 Legion Commander Wayne Goulet spoke of Butch’s years of service to the National Guard and to Post 59. He enticed Butch to elaborate on some of his military stories with a little help from legionaire Dave Dow. 

Sons of the American Legion Commander Topo Despault offered a few words of praise to Butch and then he and Sons Adjutant Rick White presented Butch with a lifetime membership in the Sons of American Legion. 

Butch was joined by family members including daughters Lori Wamser and Amy Dickinson.

To end the ceremony, Mike Woodard, sons historian and cousin to Butch, presented Butch with a special plaque thanking him for all his years of service to American Legion Post 59. 

Family, friends and fellow members then enjoyed food prepared by the legion family. Dancing followed to music by Mike Carey of Backroad Sounds.