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2009 Connecticut Legionnaire Hall of Fame
Inductees for 2009
DONALD G. BECKWITH
Post 71, West Haven Post
....................................................................
Inductees for 2007
The first 5 living LEGIONNAIRES
out of approximately 30,000 CT Legionnaires
to enter into the Department of Connecticut, American Legion
A
B
C
A-
(left) Paul LaFleur, Post 2 Baseball Manager, inducted
Francis Mullins to "Hall of Fame", Jim
Lacoursiere is Commander A.L. Dept. CT
B- Francis Mullins and wife Carol
C- (left) Donald McCarthy, Francis Mullins (Bristol),
Arthur St John, Joe Mardu, Bill Pomfret
Francis Mullins Receives State Legion Honor
A World War II veteran living in Bristol has become one of
the FIRST members of the Connecticut American Legion Hall of Fame. Francis
Mullins did two things after leaving the Army in 1946: he entered the local
political arena and he joined the American Legion Post2. Mullins has been a
Legion member ever since.
"The Hall of Fame is only for volunteers, people who did unpaid work for the
Legion" Mullins said. In his 60 years with the Legion, Mullins has done a
lot of volunteer work. Shortly after Mullins joined the Legion, Post2 installed
a then-new lounge and bar. Mullins was one of the first bartenders, serving
drinks one night a week for no compensation. He was also the Post2 Treasurer,
and then became the Manager of Post2 baseball program. His girlfriend Carol
thought Mullins' involvement in the baseball program would be a diversion for
one summer. "I have been involved with the baseball program for 57 years now..."
Mullins said. He has been married to Carol since 1953.
Other positions Mullins has held in the Legion are Post2 Commander 1952-1953,
House Chairman, District Oratorical Chairman, Chairman of the Bristol Veterans
Council, Baseball Commissioner and Chairman of Post2 Executive Board. In
Bristol, Mullins served as Fire Commissioner, Police Commissioner, Parks and
Recreation Commissioner. Mullins was also the man responsible for bringing the
Vietnam Moving Wall to Bristol in 1998. After seeing it on display in Florida in
1996, he conferred with Florida officials (and filled out reams of paperwork) to
determine how to bring it to Connecticut.
The Connecticut Legion decided to establish a statewide Legionnaires Hall of
Fame at its annual convention in 2005. Mullins is among the first chosen members
to join. In January 2007, Mullins had his ceremony inducting him into the group.
"There are over 30,000 Legionnaires in the state," Mullins said. "There were 10
of us inducted, five living members and five deceased."
Before Mullins received his plaque, Fellow Legionnaire Paul LaFleur introduced
him to the crowd as "a soldier, a veteran, a father, a grandfather, a team-mate
and a friend." The Bristol Press,
January 15, 2007
A salute to Legion Hall of Famer
It was fitting that Francis Mullins of
Bristol was among the first class inducted into the Connecticut American Legion
Hall of Fame. This recently bestowed honor was well-deserved. Less than two
years ago, the statewide Legion organization spawned the idea of a Connecticut
hall of fame as a way to recognize members who have made outstanding
contributions to the group. The initial class, inducted Saturday, consisted of
10 individuals, five of whom are deceased, as well as Mullins and four other
living inductees.
A primary criterion for induction into the hall of fame is volunteer service to
the American Legion. At Bristol's Seicheprey Post2, volunteerism has long been
synonymous with Mullins. During his six decades with Post2, Mullins has pitched
in at almost every level, whether it be working the bar at no compensation to
serving as Post2 Commander 1952-1953. He also played a major role in bringing
the Vietnam Moving Wall to Bristol in 1998, and it was a source of great pride
that his granddaughter participated as a dancer in one of the activities that
took place along the Bristol Memorial Boulevard during this emotional week for
the city.
Mullins' service to the Legion and to the community, where he has served on
several boards, is diverse and significant, but if one had to pick a single role
in which he has been most influential, it is as a prime mover behind Post2
highly successful baseball program. His dedication to the city's boys of summer
and their exploits at Muzzy Field and beyond has earned him recognition not only
in Bristol but on the state and national level. The story goes that when
Mullins, just a couple years out of the U.S. Army, first became involved with
Legion baseball in the late 1940's, he and his then girlfriend Carol, thought it
would be a one-summer stint. No way - Mullins tends to remain loyal to anything
he starts. He has been with the baseball program for 57 years and married to
Carol for 53 years.
As the Connecticut American Legion Hall of Fame adds honorees in coming years,
it is likely to find many worthy candidates.... Opinion,
1/23/07