Remembering a man who championed veterans' causes

'Taste of American Legion Post 488 in honor of Bob Martell’ to be held Aug. 13, By Nancy Kriz MONROE - Seeking to keep the two key programs operational that were important to Bob Martell, the well-known second vice commander of Monroe American Legion Post 488 who passed away last May, the Post, its Auxiliary and the Sons of American Legion Post 488 will host the first “Taste of American Legion Post 488” in Martell’s memory on Saturday, Aug. 13. Tim Buck, commander of the Sons of American Legion Post 488 and event co-chair, described the day as a family food-tasting event with more than 40 food tasting stations planned. Participating restaurants, individuals and organizations will donate their time and expenses to provide their own special dish. Anyone wishing to show their culinary skills is invited to participate. “The three groups wanted to do something to unify the membership,” said Buck. “It all came together after Bob’s passing. Our goal is to have the community come together in honor of Bob, to raise funds to continue the projects Bob was doing, to keep the projects Bob was very much interested in alive.” Cell phones for soldiers, holiday meals for vets Martell was instrumental in collecting tens of thousands of unwanted or unused cell phones for the Massachusetts-based Cell Phones for Soldiers organization. Everywhere he went, Martell would solicit phones from groups and individuals, reminding them of the importance of the nation’s soldiers in keeping the country safe. Drop-off boxes were placed in area businesses like Planet Pizza in Monroe to remind and encourage people to donate their phones and related accessories. He would gather up large quantities and send them to ReCellular, the company which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each donated phone. In turn, ReCellular provides an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad through pre-paid telephone calling card. Well over 500,000 cards have been distributed to solders overseas, giving them the opportunity to call home for free. Martell was responsible for at least 10,000 of those cards. Martell’s other signature project was working with area restaurants who provided complimentary holiday meals to veterans at the Castle Point and Montrose veterans hospitals. He handled the logistics of arranging meals, their transportation and distribution, often telling others that such meals were a highlight to those veterans who were hospital-bound for the rest of their lives, with many of them never having visitors or receiving gifts. “Veterans’ causes were always important to him and we’ve met some good friends through him,” said Nick Barile, co-owner of Planet Pizza in Monroe, which has regularly donated a special meal to the hospitalized vets and will be participating in the Aug. 13 food event. “We’re very happy to be a part of this.” Tom Jones, owner of Birchwood Caterers and co-chair of the event, will be offering homemade potato chips and frog’s legs — yes, frog’s legs, at the tasting event. “Bob spent a lot of his own money to keep (the meal program for hospitalized vets) going,” Jones said, who vowed to continue to provide the special Thanksgiving, Christmas and annual barbecue meals Birchwood has provided for the past 15 years. “He went around the town asking restaurants to help, but he took so much of his own money to do this, for food, gas, postage. He was very giving toward that.” 'Find a way to keep things going’ Martell’s personal financial contributions were so significant Jones wants to be sure that seed money is there to keep the programs alive. “We’re looking to raise money so we can keep it going for the vets,” said Jones. “I know there will be some people at the Post who will be helping to do what he did. But without Bob … the guys are getting old and the leadership is small. We’ve got to find a way to keep things going.” Jones added he knew the Captain’s Table, Smokey D’s and McDonald’s in Monroe and Mario’s in Highland Mills also regularly participated in the hospitalized vets’ meal program. Boy and girl scouts Martell was also actively involved with Boy Scout Troop 440 and the troop will be a part of the day by setting up and cleaning up as well as cooking a food dish - typically prepared by scouts on camping trips - to sample. “Community service is a defining aspect of scouting, and Mr. Martell was the exemplar of community service,” said Thomas Coghlan, a committee member for Troop 440 who is the troop’s coordinator for this event. “This will be a Class A event.” Martell was equally involved with Girl Scout Brownie Troop 388, with the troop becoming known in Post circles as “Bob’s girls.” Martell always sought to include them in legion activities, offering them lessons in civics, patriotism and veterans awareness while giving them similar educational opportunities that the older Boy Scout troop would have. His wife Pat had the poster of photos and letters of remembrance - written by the girls and displayed at his wake - buried with him because of his attachment to the troop. Buck said he knew Martell wouldn’t like knowing how much attention was being placed on him, but would appreciate the efforts to continue these programs which he felt were so beneficial to veterans.

He didn’t want any notoriety for anything. If Bob knew we were doing this, he’d probably go home and slam the door. He was the guy who snuck around in the background doing all these wonderful things. He didn’t want any fanfare. I know everybody loved him.” Tim Buck, commander of the Sons of American Legion Post 488

If you go
“The Taste of American Legion Post 488 in Memory of Bob Martell” will be held Saturday, Aug. 13 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the American Legion hall on Lakes Road in Monroe. Tickets are $10 donation per adult, and children under 12 are free.
The entire Post facility will be open for this event including the banquet hall, sun room and outside deck overlooking Walton Lake. There will also be free musical entertainment and children’s activities. Refreshments will be offered for a minimal fee.
Call 516-779-1306 to learn more.

Who’s cooking?
Here’s a preliminary list of restaurants, organizations and individuals who are participating in the first “Taste of American Legion Post 488 in memory of Bob Martell:”
Fraternal Order of Police
Monroe Knights of Columbus
Cross Roads Cafe
ShopRite
Nam Knights
Orange County Tavern & Restaurant Association
Birchwood Caterers
Ramblers Rest
Captain’s Table
Smokey D’s
Planet Pizza
Sons of The American Legion Post 488
Boy Scout Troop 440
Girl Scout Brownie Troop 388
Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 488
Buddy Graves
Mike Flower
Tom Bruzgis
Michelle Kozlowski
Billy Sheels
Pete Tuoghy
Tim Buck
To join in the effort, call Tim Buck at 516-779-1306.