Meet Hollywood's Dolores Kirby: One Awesome Octogenarian

(from Kent Wallace’s Facebook, January 25, 2018)

Yesterday served up a healthy dose of humility and delight…

I happened into American Legion Post 92 and stumbled upon some big-to-do that included Denise Rohan, the National Commander of the American Legion—we’re talking the boss, capo di tutti capi—the leader of the American Legion nationwide!!!

In any event, I had the extreme honor of being introduced to Denise by the 92’s Commander Guy Pagan. And when Denise Rohan stepped up to the microphone and made her brief, poignant remarks, she made a point of pointing me out—as a journalist who writes about and promotes the American Legion and our veterans.

What’s better than a pat-on-the-back with a salute from the high command!

I beseech everyone here in the Hip Hamlet of Hollywood to drop in, pay your respects. Buy a drink, have some lunch or show up for Wednesday’s weekly BBQ (best steak, chicken, rib deal in town).

Luau Party and Pig Roast. Live Music & Hula Dancers. Dinner includes: Hawaiin Style Roast Pork, Chicken Long Rice, Poi & Tropcal Fruit Salad. $15.00 per Ticket Donation. 50/50 Raffel & Door Prizes. Proceeds & Donatiions going towards back Hall roof replacement from damage caused by our 2017 Hurricane Season. Hosted by your Friendly Post 92 Family & Friends.

Saturday, December 9, 2017, a GREAT time had by all who attended and took part in the 2017 SAL Clambake! Thanks to the S.A.L. for all the great work you do for Post 92!

Clambake 2017: Bruce & Sherry

Dick Maggiore – Boy State FL Representative and 9th District Boys State Representative. $500 donation from clam bake for one student’s transportation, room and board at FL Boys State.

SAL Commander Chris Holden, District VC Fernando, and Dick Maggiore from Boy State

When I was in New York City recently, at a bus terminal, I was amused by a large affectionate statue of Ralph Crandon (Jackie Gleason) facing the New York Times building. Crandon, if you don’t know, was a NYC bus driver in The Honeymooners TV show. I thought to myself, “we should build something like this for Scotty in front of 92.” Scotty’s legacy will forever be the huge number of long-term members he recruited, the great times we all shared with him, and the deep love and belief he felt for the American Legion as an organization.

Scotty was a fixture at the corner bar stools, nearest the door, because he wanted to make sure he could greet people as they walked in. Later, he migrated to the font tables outside when they nixed the indoor smoking policy, lol…don’t think it was his favorite decision, but he went with the flow. “Welcome to Post 92, can I buy you a drink?” God only knows how many drinks for complete strangers over the years, but everybody was a potential member in his eyes and he wanted to make sure that we (the Post) got off to a good introduction. He loved people!

Scotty’s popularity wasn’t only limited to our Post. If you were going to hang with him, you better be fit for a full evening on the town. He was a celebrity in Hollywood, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing “Hey, Scotty!” (even the gas station). You could walk up and down the Hollywood strip with Scotty and Robert DeNiro, and Scotty is the one they would recognize.

He was a dual member, Legionnaire (Army, Vietnam) and the S.A.L. Just about everybody I knew coming into the Post were introduced by Scotty, including myself. I don’t have his birth date, on hand, as I write this (will update later), but he was 69 and left us this past year in August, 2017. He held many officer roles over the years in both chapters, including 2nd Vice Commander, as a Legionnaire, when he passed. I won’t go into stories, as they are better told in person and there are way too many to choose from, anyway, but if I had to choose one adjective to describe Scotty….FUN.

We love you and miss you brother, thanks for the joy you brought to all of us!

CN