Fred Stevens Jr

Debate over military credentials in Auburn

AUBURN  —  Members of a Vietnam veterans group who questioned the military credentials of a former state commander of the American Legion say they are being retaliated against, including being ordered to remove their Vietnam-era helicopter from post property.

The Vietnam veterans say that rather than disciplining the local Legion post official, William R. Barbour Jr., local Legion leaders have made them out to be the villains.

About 50 Vietnam veterans, most of whom also are members of the Auburn Legion post, say they have been told that their Vietnam Veterans of America chapter can no longer meet at the Auburn post, and that they have two months to remove the Cobra attack helicopter, which has been on display at the post since the late 1990s.

“That's just retaliation, pure unadulterated retaliation,” said Lawrence J. Corbin III, a member of the VVA group and service officer and former chairman of the executive committee of the Legion's Chester B. Tuttle Post 279 in Auburn.

“Barbour has been exposed for being a fraud,” Mr. Corbin said. “I told them ‘you can't just ignore this.' ”

Mr. Barbour's alleged embellishment of his military record was reported by the Telegram & Gazette June 26 after several veterans associated with the Auburn post said Mr. Barbour had claimed to be an Air Force lieutenant colonel and had often appeared in public with a badge worn by naval officers.

Mr. Barbour was also accused of exaggerating his record by a senior Massachusetts National Guard commander, who said in a May email to Legion members that Mr. Barbour had repeatedly claimed to be an Air Force lieutenant colonel when Mr. Barbour worked for the Guard as a veterans services official.

In an interview in June, Mr. Barbour, a senior vice commander of the Auburn chapter of the combat war veterans organization, said that while he served in both the Navy and the Air Force, he had never been a commissioned officer.

Mr. Corbin and other Auburn post members say Mr. Barbour has apologized for wearing the Navy badges, but has not commented in recent months about whether he was a lieutenant colonel.

Mr. Barbour did not return calls for this story. Officials of the Auburn post also did not return calls.

Since the allegations surfaced, Mr.

Adele Stevens 10/10/10

.  On Oct. 4th, there was a viewing at the Rybicki Funeral Home…..Seeing my Mom in repose was very traumatic…our loving family members all clung to each other as we felt each other’s pain and loss.  The room was filled with floral arrangements…..at least 75 gorgeous displays sent from loved ones to express their concern and care.  From 2 to 4 PM and from 7 to 9 PM, a parade of mourners came to support each of us during this difficult time….hundreds came through, and it was so comforting to feel the love of so many.  People whose lives have been touched by my Mother, and friends who may not have even known my Mom, but knew family members, filed by with words of sympathy and warm embraces.  Friends from all phases of our lives and hers, came through.  The nurses and staff at the Villa St. Joseph, where Mom resided, came to pay their respects and we shared lots of tears.  And you can imagine how deeply moved we were to see Richard Stephens and Tony Martinez, and Clay and Mary Ellen Beattie, dear friends from Key West…overwhelming!  How wonderful to have my dear dear friend, Bruce Moore, fly in to show his love and support!      Tuesday, Oct. 5th, was Funeral Day. At 10:15 AM people attending the Funeral Mass at St. Stanislaus Church, gathered at the Funeral Home.  There, two beautiful eulogies were delivered by our niece, Sally Stevens (daughter of brother Ed) and our nephew, Fred Stevens Jr. (son of brother Fred).  How proud we all were of them…..their Grandmother had to be smiling down from her heavenly realm.      The worst part came when Mom’s children and grandchildren said our final farewells and the casket was closed.  Mom’s casket bearers were her four grandsons, Fred, Ed, Rob and Joey, plus husbands of granddaughters, Sally and Jennifer, Robert and Peter. When that lid was lowered, it was a realization of all the pain and sadness mom experienced these past months…and that we will no longer see her in this physical world.      The funeral processed to St. Stanislaus Church while outdoors, it rained continuously, a reflection of the sadness in all of our hearts.  This church is truly magnificent!  It rivals any church you may see in Europe.  I do believe it was the most beautiful Mass I have ever attended.  All family members, including nieces, Jennifer and Julianna, nephews, Joe, and Brady and my wonderful husband, Bob, participated, doing the readings, petitions, carrying up the gifts, etc.  And when Bruce Moore filled this wonderful church with his spectacular voice, there was not a dry eye in the church.  He sang Amazing Grace and Ave Maria, and it was a beautiful gift and tribute to my Mother….whom Bruce always called, Swell Adele.  At the end of the service, my brother Ed Stevens gave a wonderful talk, and after him, I went up to deliver mine.  Please note that I have included the talk in the attachment above.  If you want to read what I said, please feel free to read.