Gerald “Jerry” Ketchum

   Jerry Ketchum is a charter member of Honeoye-Hemlock Squadron #1278, he receives his eligibility through his father, Milton C. Ketchum, a WWII Veteran who served in the Army-Aircore in the Atlantic Theater, and is also a member of Honeoye-Hemlock Post.

 

 Jerry was instrumental in starting the Squadron’s first Color Guard, they won the 2^nd place trophy at the 7^th District Convention in Shortsville, June 2000, he is currently active in the Legion’s Honor Guard. The Squadron Charters the local Boy Scouts, he was their first Squadron Representative and sits on the Eagle Scout Review Board. He is a charter member of the Ontario County Committee, past Commander, and served as Adjutant for  4 terms and Treasurer for 5. Implemented a County wide Membership ad, running in local newspapers, which resulted in increased membership for all 5 Squadrons.

 

 In the Seventh District he has served 2 terms as Commander, and Adjutant for 5. Chaired the Annual Flag Education & Retirement Ceremony since 1999, bringing the program to an hour long event incorporating the SONS, Legion, Auxiliary, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and community groups, which is now well known throughout the State! Jerry was the first recipient of The Seventh District Member-Of-The-Year Award in 2001.

 

For the Detachment of New York, Jerry served as Chaplain and Vice Commander for 3 terms. He has chaired the Public Relations Committee 2 terms, the Commander’s Project and The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation for 4 terms.

 

 As active as he has been with The American Legion Family, Jerry has also been quite active within his Community. He is a Past President of The Honeoye Chamber Of Commerce, receiving a Certificate of Award for dedicated service. He was presented a “Citizen’s Citation” by Assemblymen Brian Kolb for coordinating the rebuilding of the Veteran’s Memorial & Gazebo, which was burned by vandals. In 1999 he was the assistant logistics coordinator for The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall in Canandaigua, and was on the building committee for The Trail Of Remembrance. He has owned his own business, Independent Supply, with his wife Tina since 1992.

 

 Jerry has been married to Tina, an Auxiliary member of Honeoye-Hemlock Unit, for 14 years, he has 3 children, 2 step-children and 11 grandchildren, all of whom whole heartily support and promote his efforts in The American Legion Family.