Sons of the American Legion honor Paul West

May 7, 2021 | By Waterbury Roundabout 

Tom Burrows (center) shares his American Legion hat with Paul West as Mike Woodard (left) looks on. Photo by Gordon Miller

Sons of the American Legion historian and treasurer Mike Woodard (left) and Paul West with his award. Photo by Gordon Miller

Paul West delights in the various presentations in his honor, this one from Legion Commander Clement Topo Despault. Photo by Gordon Miller

Paul West and Commander Despault get a reaction from the party. Photo by Gordon Miller

Visiting Detachment Commander Lucas Herring (right) from the Barre American Legion - also the Mayor of Barre - congratulates Paul West and presents him with a Sons of the American Legion t-shirt. Mike Woodard (left) looks on. Photo by Gordon Miller

Paul West marches up Bank Hill on Main Street in Waterbury with the American Legion Color Guard in a recent Not Quite Independence Day parade. Photo by Gordon Miller

Paul West shares a hug with his sweetheart Madeline Wright. Photo by Gordon Miller.

Photo by Gordon Miller

Paul West celebrates at the end of the award ceremony at the May 1 dinner marking his 35 years in the Sons of the American Legion. Photo by Gordon Miller

Paul enjoys casting a line into the Thatcher Brook on a summer day. Photo by Gordon Miller

On Saturday, May 1, the Sons of the American Legion Post 59 in Waterbury honored one of their longtime members and Sergeant-at-Arms, Paul West of Waterbury, who has 35 continuous years as a member and officer of Squadron 59.

West was born in Middlebury, and his family moved to Waterbury when he was a baby.  He has lived his 76 years in Waterbury, and will turn 77 in July.  Now retired, West did all kinds of work in the Waterbury area over the years, working for Bernie Woodard for 40 years, then Butch Allen, and finally at Crossroads Beverage & Deli until last year.

His father and two brothers served in three branches of the military, hence Paul is a Son of the American Legion.

After a delicious potluck dinner served by the Sons and some auxiliary members, the group’s historian and treasurer, Mike Woodard, presented West with a beautiful plaque thanking him for his 35 years of service to the Sons of the American Legion.

Visiting Detachment Commander Lucas Herring from the Barre American Legion -- and also the Mayor of Barre -- presented West with an official Sons of the American Legion shirt. Squadron Commander Clement Topo Despault shook hands with West and offered his congratulations.

An emotional West took in the moment surrounded by friends and he said he was very happy and proud to receive the award. The occasion was a surprise to which West summed it up: “It is very nice.”  

Following the presentation,  Despault called most of the crowd together for a group photo and the evening finished with dancing to music by DJ Mike Carey of Waterbury Center. 

Compiled by Mike Woodard and Anne Imhoff.