AUBURN - Coming of age during the Depression, Floyd Durfee saw that hard work often led to little reward.

But hard work was instilled in Durfee, and that was clearly evident Sunday when he was honored at VFW Auburn Post 1975 for his remarkable record of community service since he became a member in 1976.

His record of volunteerism is impressive: For the past 32 years, he served with the post color guard, attending an average of 65 funerals and wakes a year for an estimated 12,600 hours in total. Since 2004, he's volunteered six hours each Saturday at SS. Peter and John Church's soup kitchen, and helped out at the Finger Lakes Center for Living nursing home since 2004.

According to the VFW's Ted Foley, that's a total of more than 15,000 hours. And Foley notes that is a conservative figure and doesn't include any of Durfee's 2007 volunteer work.

Durfee will be 89 in October. He was the best-dressed man at Sunday's breakfast in his light gray summer suit. Sitting with him were his sister, E. Irene Adams of Auburn, family friend Judy Petrosino, and his sister-in-law, Angela Durfee.

“We were born in the Depression. That's all right. We didn't have much money but we had family and that's what counts more than anything,” his sister said. “We really didn't know it was a Depression because everybody was in the same boat we were. Everybody had nothing. Literally nothing. That's how it was.”

Durfee, who grew up in Auburn, served in the Navy for 1 1/2 years during World War II. Stationed in the Pacific, he served as a radio man on an AK-97 cargo ship.

After the war, he worked as a machinist - first at Alco, and then when it became Bombardier, for 40 years.

At the brief ceremony, Durfee was given a certificate of recognition and a Hospital Volunteer Pin from national VFW headquarters.

“The heck of it is, I enjoy what I'm doing. It's not only good for the people, it's good for me, too. It keeps me alive, it keeps my moving,” said Durfee.

“That's what keeps you young and healthy,” Petrosino said.

After being presented his award by Commander Charles Carroll, Floyd good-naturedly reminded Durfee to “keep up the good work.”

Durfee smiled, saying, “I don't know what to say. I guess I'm just awed, I'm happy.”

At the recent VFW state convention in Binghamton, Post 1975 received the national award for community service, the only post nationally recognized.

Carroll said “community service is one of those things we do a lot of,” noting Post 1975 is a presence at all veterans funerals, they raise money by selling (paper) poppies, among other endeavors. He also praised the VFW Ladies Auxiliary as key in their fundraising efforts and volunteerism, especially the efforts of Barbara Griffin who was recently elected District 5 president.

Durfee is proud to be a part of Post 1975.

“This has been a great post. I've enjoyed every minute of it. I tell everyone this is my second home,” he said.“I have my two beers every day. Once in awhile I'll have three, but not very often. Two is all I need.”