The Mexico V.F.W. Post was named in memory of Herbert Frederick Edick and Clarence Albert Hamlink. Edick was born in Palermo, NY on September 23, 1895, the son of Fred and Alta Groff Edick. He was engaged in mill work before enlisting in the US Army June 25, 1917 at Syracuse.

He was assigned to Co. H., 16th Infantry, 1st Division and trained at the Syracuse Fairgrounds. He embarked from New York City for overseas service on November 22, 1917 and arrived in France December 3, 1917. Edick was killed in the second battle of Marne on July 21, 1918. He is buried in the family plot in the Mexico Village Cemetary.

Hamlink was born in the New Haven area, the son of Abram and Susan Larkin Hamlink. (The family dropped the letter 'k' from their name and became known as Hamlin). He was employed at the Onondaga Hotel when at the age of 21 years. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps on June 11, 1917. He trained at Parris Island, South Carolina and later at Quantico.

He served with the 6th Regimental Marines, 95th Company, 1st Battery, AEF France. Clarence was killed in action October 6, 1918, after having only just recovered from wounds he received in a previous battle. His remians were returned to the United States and he was buried with military honors on October 6, 1921 in the Hamlin family plot in the New Haven Cemetary.

The newly elected officers of the Edick-Hamlink Post #369, V.F.W. were installed on September 30, 1938. Meetings were held the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. Clarence E. Masters; Commander, Robert J. Kidd; Senior Vice Commander, Ray B. Porter; Junior Vice Commander, Leon P. McFee; Quartermaster, Howard E. Fults; Adjutant, James M. Marshall; Chaplain, Joseph Sherman; Officer of the Day, and Trustees James Neil Ryan; 6 months, Ralph A. farmer; 12 months, and George Arthur Ellsworth; 18 months.

Also, Frank I. Badger; guard, Harry J. Hart; Sergeant Major, Charles J. Cogswell; Surgeon, Wesley Wallace; Judge Advocate, Carl F. Sanderson; Patriotic Instructor, and Joshua Jeremiah; Sentinal. Of the above officers, the first to die was Wesley Wallace in April 1939 and the last was Carl F. Sanderson in 1976 at the age of 80 years.

Additional charter members were Henry Nelson Howe, Edward M. Henderson, Ward Hilton (Orwell), Ernest LaVere, a Spanish-American War veteran, Harry G. Learned, Curtis R. McFee, Arthur P. Schick, Frank G. Smith, Herschel W. Watson, Jesse Woolson, Roy F. Fellers, Fred D. Whitney, John L. Putnam, Carl F. Sanderson, and Howard E. Fults.

Most of the veterans belonging to the Mexico V.F.W. were from Mexico and New Haven and served in the infantry with their foreign service being in France. George Arthur Ellsworth, known by his friends as the "Kaiser", served in Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War. He served from May 16, 1898 to April 1, 1899. Charles J. Cogswell was a cook in the Navy with the foreign service in the country of Mexico. His enlistment ran from April 28, 1911 to June 21, 1921. Harry J. Hart was in the artillery and Ira R. Austin in the engineers.

Lewis Shortsleeve, a member of the Mexico V.F.W. from Arthur, NY, was the last Spanish-American War veteran to expire at the age of 83 years on July 6, 1963.

Not many months after the V.F.W. was organized, they proudly promoted the landscaping and clean-up on Spy Island around the grave of Silas Town, the Revolutionary War hero. After removing the brush and undergrowth, steps were erected at the monument and several decorative trees were planted.

The V.F.W. particularly in their early years, were very supportive of their members and their dependents in time of need. They strongly supported the sale of poppies made by injured veterans.

The right arm and strong supporter of the V.F.W. is its Auxiliary. The Mexico Auxiliary was formed in July 1940. The temporary officers chosen were Edith Kirkpatrick; President, Martha McFee; Senior Vice President, Marion Bennett; Junior Vice President, Grace Kidd; Treasurer, Matilda Smith; Secretary, Frances Pare; Chaplain, Jesse Sanderson; Guard, Marguerite Stevens; Patriotic Instructor, and Cherrie Bennett; Conductress.

MEMBERS HONORED

Past Commanders of the Mexico V.F.D. who served as Commander of the Oswego County Council are: Floyd H. Clemons; 1948-1949, Peter Y. Goldych; 1957-1958, A. John Wasilewski; 1963-1964, Alexander M. Forbes; 1973-1974, William C. Mowry; 1/2 year 1979 and 1980-1981, and Alexander Longhway; 1994-1995.

In May, 1963, past Commander Frederic E. Tourot was appointed National Aide-de-Camp to the National Commander of the V.F.W., Byron B. Gentry.

The Mexico Veterans of Foreign Wars and other posts in Oswego County were honored to have Frank W. Marcellus of Trach-Auringer  Post #7325, Constantia, serve as State Commander, 1968-1969.

In July 1988, Edick-Hamlink Post #369 was presented with an award of a Golden Anniversary Citation commemorating 50 years of service to the community. "Post 369 joins a growing list of V.F.W. Posts whose long association with the organization has made it the most successful major veteran's group in the country, with a membership of more than two million men and women."

There are two Veteran's Associations in Mexico. The V.F.W. and Stone-Davis Post #384, American Legion. They cooperate on all patriotic occasions. On Memorial Day the V.F.W. is in charge of the arrangements on even years (1998) and the American Legion on odd years (1999).

Both organizations assist in placing flags on the graves of all fallen veterans in the town of Mexico. Cemetaires visited are: Arthur, Colosse, French Street Catholic, French Protestant on Route 11, Maple View, Wellwood, South Mexico, and Silas  Town on Spy Island, Mexico Point.

The officers of Edick-Hamlink Post #369 V.F.W. for the year 1998-1999 are: James J. Forkhamer; Commander, Samuel J. Piazza; Senior Vice Commander, Donald L. Babcock; Quartermaster, Kurt R. Krieger, Adjutant, Lynn C. Rasbeck; Chaplain, Donald A. Reeser; Service Officer, and Irving W. Schick; Surgeon.

PAST COMMANDERS

* Deceased
# C. Irwin resigned August 2, 1946
+ N. Watson advanced to Commander August 23, 1946