Parade Grand Marshal John Remsen

Way before being Parade Grand Marshal, the Senior Legionnaire in the William Clinton Story Post had all kinds of accomplishments.   John retired after 35 years of working for New York Telephone.  John was the man in Freeport that made sure the students in Freeport High School had a sports program when in 1977, Freeport High School disposed of the Sports budget when forced on an austerity program.

 John was President of Farmers and Boosters Club which raised  funds by selling hot dogs and doing fund raisers so all High School Students who wanted to be athletes got to play.  If that wasn’t enough John was already a local legend as a young man, making a name as a ‘bayman and boatbuilder’.

In High School, John played Football and Lacrosse and was known as a winner.  But John is quick to let everyone know what his biggest prize was when he went to high School.   Grace said, “John ran against me for Class President…we got married after he got out of the Army.” (John beat Grace becoming Class President)

John said, “They drafted me before I got out of  High School.”  And soon after graduation John was on his way to Fort Dix, NJ – Infantry training & Advanced Infantry Training School.  From there he joined with the 45^th Infantry Division deployed to Korea in late 1953.

John was off to War. The 179^th Inf. Reg, 45^th Div (Oklahoma National Guard) would relieve the 1^st Marine Division  and join X Corps under the command of Major General Edward M. Almond.  “General Almond’s plan called for the US 1^st Marine Division to advance west through Yudami-ni, while the US 7^th Infantry Division would provide a regimental combat team to protect the right flank at Sinhung-ni.

 The US 3^rd Infantry Division (179^th Inf. Reg. was attached) would also protect the left flank while providing security in the rear area.  By then the X Corps was stretched thin along a 400 miles (640 km) front.” (Wikipedia)   Even though John’s unit did relieve the 1^st Marine Division and his unit did rotate home in the spring of 1954, John did not.

John stayed in Korea for another 16 months transferred to the 3^rd Div, 58^th field Artillery Battalion to fire 105MM Howitzers as ordered. John exchanged his units ‘Chinese Soldiers’ that were Prisoners of War with N.Korea as part of ‘Operation Big Switch’ which  began in August 1953 and lasted until December 1953.  (Chinese Regulars of the ‘Peoples Volunteer Army Fought against U.N. Forces at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.)

John rotated home in May of 1955.  John married Grace and from that time to this raised a family of 3 children, John, Laura, Linda (all graduated from Freeport High)  and 11 grandchildren.  When John came home in May he wanted a place for his 2 year Class Reunion.  He went to rent the American Legion Hall on Sunrise Highway.

“You got a discount if you became a member.”   John only wanted to do that for the year.  When the membership renewals came to the house Grace said, “I just paid them every year.”  And apparently every year for 60 years. 

John was given an award from the National Commander presented by Nassau County Cmdr. Steve McManus and Cmdr. Coy Richardson.  John received a resolution from the State of New York out of Senator Venditto’s Office.  John Remsen  is the longest serving American Legionnaire in Freeport and one of a few Legionnaires who have served over sixty years in the United States of America.

 We, the William Clinton Story Post No. 342 are proud to present to the Village of Freeport, John K. Remsen Jr., Bayman, Boatbuilder, Neighbor, Combat Veteran and Senior American Legionnaire.