He had lived in Shelton 12 of his 22 years; and was described as “one of the best known young men in this city." He was a weaver at Blumenthal's “Shelton Looms” before enlisting in the 102^nd Regiment, U.S. Army, on Labor Day, 1917. He was attached to Company F, the former "New Haven Grays" stationed at Yale Field in New Haven.

Joining one of the first contingents to depart for the battlefields of France, his transport ship broke down and had to return to port, allowing him one last visit with his mother.

His parents, who 'lived on Division Avenue, knew he was in action against the Germans. They were greatly relieved when a letter finally arrived the first week of March. He wrote that he was in good health, and that he had finally received his Christmas box from his mother, enjoying the month-old pastries enclosed. He wrote that he missed home.

A week later, on March 12, 1918, his parents received another letter, in the form of a telegram from the War Department. It read, "Deeply regret to inform you that Private Charles Sutter of the infantry was killed in action on Feb. 28." He had been killed while stringing telephone wire across the trenches when the Germans attacked.

Angelo Terlizzi had played baseball and basketball for Shelton High School but was best remembered as the star football player who caught the winning pass against Ansonia High School. Like many young men in the Depression years he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and spent about 18 months out west.

He joined the Navy, and was assigned as a gunner's mate to the USS San Francisco, a heavy cruiser of the Pacific Fleet. He was at Pearl Harbor the day the Japanese attacked the base, an action that propelled America into World War II.

He saw much action on the San Francisco. On Dec. 3; 1942, Terlizzi's 'parents received a telegram at their Lakeview Avenue home. The San Francisco task force had engaged a superior Japanese force that included battleships off Guadalcanal. Although the San Francisco survived, it was heavily damaged and 77 sailors, including; Terlizzi, were killed.

Charles W. Sutter was the first Shelton soldier to die in World War I, possibly in all of New England. His body finally returned home in July of 1921, the first local war casualty to return. A huge, procession followed his caisson to Riverside Cemetery, where he was accorded a military funeral. Taking a prominent role in the ceremonies was the American Legion Post that had taken his name, Charles W. Sutter Post #16.

According to Past Commander Frank D'Angelo, (who was Post 16's commander in 1971 and advanced all the way up to alternate on the National Executive Committee), 15 World War I veterans formed the Shelton Army and Navy Association upon returning home. On July 7, 1919, they became charter members' of the 16th American Legion Post in Connecticut.

They included William Downes, who had survived the effects of poison gas: Another charter member was Cora E. Sullivan, who had served as an Army nurse in France. Sutter Post was years ahead of most other veterans organizations in recognizing the contributions made by women in the service. Sullivan was one of the first female Legion members in the country.

An observation post was established by the Legion on a Shelton Avenue farm in 1939.

After the United States’ entry into World War II, a modern 35-foot plane-spotting tower was erected, manned by the Legion 24 hours a day. This tower was part of Connecticut's air warning service, and designated “16A”. It was lit by electricity and had a hotline that could have fighter planes in the air in minutes. The tower was moved atop today's City Hall in 1942, and served into the Cold War.

The post's ranks swelled after World War II. On Jan. 23, 1948, the post was rechartered as Sutter-Terlizzi Post #16 to honor the first Shelton serviceman to fall in World War II.

From the beginning, Post 16 established a permanent building fund, one of its first contributions being a $1,000 donation by the Red Cross in 1919. The post was originally located on the third floor of the Clark Building on Howe Avenue (this building is now two stories; the third was removed after a 1941 fire).

The post later moved to a Center street building. It was back on the second floor of the Clark Building when the post finally realized its dream of a permanent home. The Sutter-Terlizzi American Legion #16 building, along with its road off Bridgeport Avenue, was constructed in 1958. The mortgage was burned in 1973.

Post 16 established itself as an integral service organization from the beginning. It has hosted countless balls and other social events to raise civic awareness. The Connecticut Hurricanes marching; band was originally sponsored by Post 16. This year [1996], the post will send eight boys to its annual Boy's State Program, a weeklong seminar that teaches them how our political system works.

Graduates of the National Boy's State Program include former Gov. William O'Neill, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, and President Clinton. A Constitutional oratorical contest is also sponsored by the post, as is a Cub Scout Troop.

Post 16 currently has more than 480 members, World War veterans having been augmented by Korean and, Vietnam veterans. 

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[Article Reproduced by Permission]-

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                                                        UPDATE

Since this original article, Post #16, while no longer supporting a Cub Scout Troop, has begun sponsorship of Venturing Crew 22 which is part of the Housatonic Council of the BSA (click to learn more). Post #16 has increased its support to 17 boys for the Boys State Program (click to learn more). Our membership is currently over 500 members. Members now include veterans of the Lebanon/Grenada Era, the Panama Era, the Persian Gulf War, and the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.