Local veterans remember former Cathedral Post 1087 commander James Gibbons

West Hempstead and its American Legion Cathedral Post 1087 lost a great comrade last month when former post commander and World War II veteran James E. Gibbons died on Nov. 3.

During his 41-year career with the American Legion, the octogenarian, who had joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1945, served as post commander twice and held a number of other officer positions.

In the words of Cathedral Post 1087 Commander Ed Giacin, Gibbons was “a tireless worker and a dynamic leader.”

Shortly after joining the Coast Guard, Gibbons transferred to the U.S. Naval Reserve where he served for 37 years, rising to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer — the highest enlisted rank in the Navy.

The Cathedral Post paid tribute to Gibbons’s memory in its December newsletter, and sent thoughts and prayers to his widow, Eleanor, daughter, Christine, and their families. Giacin included a personal note in which he expressed gratitude to Gibbons for being a role model in the days of Giacin’s youth.

In a recent interview with the Herald, Giacin said he remembers Gibbons from his childhood. The commander grew up in West Hempstead in the 1970s, when Gibbons was still in the Reserves and also served as a Scoutmaster. He said Gibbons is the reason he joined the American Legion. Giacin will always remember Giacin as a role model, he said.

“He was always great to me. He was a really good guy,” said Giacin, a 26-year Legion member. “He always looked good in his whites and he had a great sense of humor. And he was always late for everything, but he was great. He always had a joke on hand.”

This report can attest to that herself, having met Gibbons in February at a joint event between the Cathedral Post and West Hempstead Boy Scouts Troop 240. Wearing a smile on his face the entire time, Gibbons patiently sat with the Scouts — one of whom was doing his Eagle Scout project on veterans — and told of his experiences as a member of the Navy, never failing to make a joke where one seemed fit.

Gibbons was well-known throughout West Hempstead, always participating in various events, lending a helping hand and marching in all the parades. Every year, he would help Giacin place flags on the gravestones at local cemeteries, and he took over the role of selling poppy flowers for the Post — a job Giacin said he did superbly for the last five years.

Members of Cathedral Post 1087 “will be forever blessed by having had the honor to serve with PC James E. Gibbons,” Giacin said.

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