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 45th Infantry Division deployed to Korea in late 1953.
John was off to
War. The 179th Inf. Reg, 45th Div (Oklahoma National
Guard) would relieve the 1st Marine Division and join X Corps under the command of Major
General Edward M. Almond. “General
Almond’s plan called for the US 1st Marine Division to advance west
through Yudami-ni, while the US 7th Infantry Division would provide
a regimental combat team to protect the right flank at Sinhung-ni.
The US 3rd Infantry
Division (179th 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 1st
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 3rd Div, 58th 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.
