Davis named District Legionnaire of the Year

   Uncompromised and unselfish service to his country, his community and to his family is how friends describe veteran Jerrie B. Davis of Caledonia who received the honor of being named 7th District Legionnaire of the Year. Davis marks the first person ever from Caledonia to hold this honor.

   He received the award at a ceremony in Shortsville on June 9 and will represent the district at the American Legion State Convention in July at Niagara Falls, NY where he will join nine other district finalists from across the state as one of them will be awarded the 2007 Department of New York Legionnaire of the Year.

   Davis, whose father and uncles served in WWII, followed that example of military service and enlisted in the U.S. Army following his graduation from Cal-Mum High School in 1966.

   He served 15 months with 1st Logistical Command (MACV) in Vietnam and reached the rank of sergeant before his discharge. Once back home, he married his high school sweetheart, Debbie Donnelly Davis. They raised two sons, Patrick and Timothy.

   While he is humble about his long list of service to the legion and the community, there is one thing he is proud of and that is his service in Vietnam.

   "I'm very proud of that. Back in 1969 when I joined the legion, I never once thought I'd be named Legionnaire of the Year. Over the years you just help out where you're needed. On June 9th in Shortsville, I stood there with 250 other guys who could all receive this award," Davis commented.

   He retired a few years ago from Eastman Kodak Company with 32 years of service in the department of defense division. He returned to that division to work as a contract consultant after retirement.

   Despite the responsibilities of fatherhood, home and work, Davis never missed an opportunity to volunteer in the Caledonia community. He's been an active member and volunteer with Matthew Cleary Post American Legion 255 for more than 35 years.

   Over the years he's served as post adjutant and commander and chaired the post's youth fishing derby. He's attended nearly every post meeting and kept meticulous reports. Davis and his wife, Debbie, are regular visitors to area veteran's hospitals, often bringing a smile to the patients with a small gift.

   At the post level, Davis is the chair of the membership committee, legion baseball, special funds, Flag Day sales and Boys State. He co-chairs the annual Veterans Day dinner and is a member of the post firing squad and honor guard.

   Davis holds life membership in the American Legion, the VFW, the Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans and in the American Legion Past Commanders Club. He recently served as Livingston County Commander and in that capacity, began authoring a monthly column covering veterans' issues that was published in two newspapers, plus this community website.

   "When Jake is assigned or volunteers for a position, a committee or a detail, whether chairperson or worker, it is with heart and soul to do the best job possible.

   He is a Legionnaire whose objectives are not for praise, but to serve in any way for the betterment of the post and the community, with an emphasis on veterans' issues," commented Matthew Cleary Post Commander Mel Keenan.