Benjamin L. Dickerson, who was born and raised in Copiague and served as Commander of the Hunter Squire Jackson American Legion Post 1218, died Sept. 7, 2009. He was 57 years old.M

r. Dickerson was born Feb. 14, 1952 to Irene and Winifred Dickerson. He graduated Copiague High School in 1970 and earned an associate’s degree in business administration from the State University of New York at Farmingdale in 1972.

From Aug. 1972, until Dec. 1983, Mr. Dickerson served in the U.S. Army. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and graduated from several non-commissioned officer academies where he was ranked at the top of his classes. He received an Army Commendation Medal in Washington D.C. for his supervision of the Warrior Battalion Human Relations and Equal Opportunity program, 3rd Infantry Division in Aschaffenburg, Germany.

Mr. Dickerson continued his service to country and community after his honorable discharge from the Army. He was an active member and past Commander of the Hunter Squires Jackson Post since 1984 and also served as Post Chaplain and Service Officer. He was also a member of the Suffolk American Legion Color Guard.

He was also a member of the Grand Lodge #92 Masons in Amityville where he served as Chaplain and held the title of Master Mason. In 1986, he became an Associate Minister of Holy Trinity Baptist Church.

Professionally, he worked for the Veteran’s Hospital in Northport where he was in administration.

Mr. Dickerson never forgot the role of the service men and women in our country. He worked with Babylon Town helping to raise $25,000 for the Babylon World War II Memorial Fund. In 1993, he was recognized for service by Gov. Mario Cuomo and was appointed a local board member of Toastmasters International.

Mr. Dickerson is survived by his sister Anna Mcdonald of Amityville; his nephews J.D. Lawrence; his nieces Ronnice Jones and Shannon Dickerson. He is also survived by his great nieces and nephews: Shawntel Haskins, Fatima E. Cunningham, Breanna Dickerson, Taylour Dickerson, Markice Haskins, and Ronald L. Dickerson Jr. Greatgreat niece Ahkariah Haskins and great-great nephew Jhnariah Cunningham also survive him as do Samuel and Leon Lawrence and his cousin, Sylvia Thompson.

Mr. Dickerson reposed at Goode Funeral Home, Amityville. A eulogy was given by Minister Lawton Bryant of Holy Trinity Baptist Church and interment was in National Cemetery at Calverton, with full military honors. His sister was presented with the American flag.