Legion in Lyndonville has new trolley to take veterans in parades
Press Release, Steve Goodrich, commander of Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 in Lyndonville
Provided photo: Seated in photo is Miss Anna Stelianou and Houseman-Tanner Post member Carl Boyle. Note: Masks were taken off only for this picture then immediately put back on.
LYNDONVILLE – The Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 American Legion on Sunday took possession of a new ADA-certified trolley to be used in parades.
This is the capstone of a three-year project. The previous trolley was extremely difficult to enter or exit for the older veterans and over time had become unserviceable. Once the decision to replace it was made, the post began fundraising.
July 4th raffle tickets and a Labor Day yard sale as well as generous donations made by individuals made this project possible. The trolley sits much lower than the previous unit. It can seat 9 with room for up to 3 wheelchairs, something impossible with the old trolley. Access is through two wheelchair ramps and there are seatbelts and wheelchair tie downs for all passengers.
The initial payment was sent to the contracted builder Diversified Golf Cars Inc. of Orlando, Fla. one week before the lockdown was announced.
This project would not have been possible without the very generous donation made by Miss Anna Stelianou. To pay our respects to Miss Anna, the Houseman-Tanner Post will be dedicating the trolley in the memory of her brothers – all veterans – Fred, Peter, George, Menel and Ernest, who all served inworld War II or the Korean War.
Commander Steve Goodrich, Adjudant Joseph Hausler and post members John Follman and Carl Boyle stopped by Anna’s home to make sure she was the first to see and set foot on the new trolley on June 24th.
Lastly, the Houseman-Tanner Post wants to specifically thank the businesses and individuals who made generous donations that helped make this possible. Businesses: Canalside Tattoo, Gordon-Fisk, H.H. Dobbins, Hometown Energy, Lake Wine & Spirits, Oak Orchard Canoes, Wildwood Campgrounds, Whipple Realty and Wiley’s Riverside Marina.
Individual Donors: Anna Stelianou, Ethel Valentine, Mike Dagobert and Bob Burtwell.
Due to Covid-19 there haven’t been any meeting and no upcoming meetings are planned for the foreseeable future. Sadly this also applies to parades. The trolley is being stored for now. We hope to see everyone in the not too distant future.
