Corunna VFW Post #4005

The Beginning

Albert Boursmith and George Mauer were instrumental with 13 other Comrades from WWI in forming this Post in 1945.

It was necessary to have at least 15 members to obtain a charter, which was received on March 11, 1945. The first meetings were held in the old Corunna Hotel, across from the Court House.

The Corunna Post purchased the old water works plant from the city for 1 dollar and the city gave them the dollar back. This bill was in the VFW's trophy case until 1999 when it was stolen during a break-in.

An addition was added to the building in 1958 and a second addition in 1970. During the second addition, a side wall was propped up and the vibration from a passing train made it collapse. Some how it was saved.

The Corunna Post sponsored Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troop #77 for many years. The Post has held parades through the years for: Loyalty Day, Memorial Day (they also got to Vernon with this parade), 4th of July and other special occasions. This Post continues to perform Military funerals and the members take pride in doing these.

The Corunna Post also was in charge of the parking concession at the County Fair in Corunna. When the fair moved to Hibbard Road, the Post bought an one ($800.00) toward this project and furnished the money and labor to build the Bingo Pavilion.

This post has had several District Commanders, County Council Commanders plus several Department and National appointments.

The following is a synopis of year to year happenings in the post:

Commander was Albert "Dutch" Boursmith. The Post was Institued by the Commander of Owosso Post 829 that was later dissolved. A password was used for entering the meetings.

In June, 14 members were present to here a report on the sale of "War Bonds".

2,300 Poppies were sold this year and the Hall was renting $2.00 per day.

Formation of the Shiawassee County Council. Bought 10 rifles from the Government at $1.00 each for parade purposes.

Michael Carland, Post Commander

Allan Brown, Interim Post Commander. Election of officers were held in March: L.A. Snyder, Commander.

Allan Brown, Commander. Passwords to be dropped in favor of membership cards. Motion and support to disapprove President Truman's pension Bill. It was decided to move WWI Monument to the Post lawn. A ton of coal was purchsed for $12.75.

George Mauer, Commander

Dick Hasselback, Commander. Sam Naylor, Jr. was the first member to be killed in the Korean War, Feb. 5th.

Plans began for WWII Memorial in McCurdy Park.

John Youngs, Commander. 56 paid members.

Joe Zwolensky, Commander. Allan Brown became District Commander.

Virgil Yerrick, Commander. Marsh Monument donated the stone to be installed over the front door of Post.

Bob Stephens, Commander.

Jack boursmith, Commander.

Orville Walter, Commander.

Max Sutton, Commander.

Tom Perkins, Commander. Obtained Corunna's old firetruck for parades.

Dair Sherman, Commander.

George Ade, Commander.

Arnold Kgle, Commander.

Bud Thomas, Commander.

Max Dibean, Commander.

Earl Kline, Commander.

Les Darnell, Commander.

Horton Springs, Commander. 127 members reported.

Arnel Davis Commander.

Ed Dews, Commander. Will accept lifetime lease of building from City of Corunna. $35,000 addition to be added to building.

Dale Cramner, Commander. On Sept. 14, Aaron DeFreese reported on the dispute in the Morrice School where the flag was flown up-side down and five teachers were fired over the incident.

The Monument on the east side was dedicated to Ira Reid.

Murrield Flagg, Commander. In Sept., Dale Murray resigned as Commander.

Carl Chalker, Commander. Campaign to reinstate Memorial Day back on the 30th.

June 19th, R.H. no longer welcome at the Post.?

Parking Lot on south side of Post (across street) was completed.

Robert Burke, Commander.

Estimated cost of Footbridge in McCurdy Park is $21,700.

Jack Boursmith was given a citation for saving a life.

Henry Bissonette, Commander.

Present Footbridge to City.

April...Harold Follen, Commander.

Barry Walter, Commander.

Received 1941 Fire Truck from City of Corunna.

Gary Schneider, Commander.

Gerald Siegal, Commander.

WWI members are: George Mauer, Fred Hien, William Kaltrider, Joe Diguard, Ernest Gurden, Clarence Mead and Edward Peterson.

Ray Hildebrant, Commander.

Built Pole Barn at a cost of $8,366.00 for storage.

Tom Perkins, Commander.

Vivian Kohls is the first woman member.

Barry Walter, Commander.

500th member signed up.

The Fair Board would like to raise the fee for the Parking Concession to $5,000. This is after all the Corunna Post has done and the money donated to them.

Eugene Gurden, Commander.

Will go to "head count" rather than by the car for parking fees at the Fair.

Raymond Kwiatkowski, Commander.

Robert Burke, Commander.

Max Grant, Commander.

Jerry Buchholz, Commander.

Bar was closed due to lack of insurance.

According to the Health Dept. Inspector, the Corunna Post was the first organization to ever receive a "100%" rating in Shiawassee County.

Robert Evens, Commander.

A canopy was built over the front door.

November...A letter was sent to the Pewamo High School. Their whole football team stood at attention and saluted during the National Anthem and we commended them for this action.

Newman Church, Commander.

Mike Crawford painted his "prize winning" mural on the front of the hall.

Robert Burke, Commander.

William Runyan, Commander.

Robert Russell, Commander.

Robert Smith, Commander.

Jerry Buchholz, Commander.

November...The Post will receive an M-60 Tank and the shipping cost will be $1,800.

Edward Dews, Commander.

New rifles were ordered and the old ones were taken to the National Guard to be destroyed. Membership - 453.

Wes Pennell, Commander.

New flag pole installed.

Herb Jacobson, Commander.

Motion made to not allow Ed Dews to represent the Post in Americanism, etc. as long as he flies his flag up-side down.

Irene Hosking took over as Post Commander in Sept. due to Herb's resignation. She is the Post 4005's first woman commander.

Robert Evans, Commander.

Addition to be built on east side of building. The tank will be coming from Grayling. A larger flag pole was proposed for the northeast corner of the building.

Robert Evans, Commander.

Addition to building will cost $20,655.

A cement pad was installed to display the tank.

Robert Evans, Commander.

Tank dedication will be held 11-11-98.

Robert Evans, Commander.

New lighting and ceiling...$17,750.

$245.00 paid to send a Corunna boy to "Boys State".

Jerry Buchholz, Commander.