Latest News

• Thursday, October 29, 2020

  SU’s Veterans Institute to receive American Legion’s Patriot Award

  By The American Legion

  On Nov. 17 via a virtual streaming ceremony, The American Legion will present its Patriot Award to Dr. Mike Haynie and Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families. To view the ceremony at 10 a.m. ET Nov. 17, click here.

  The Patriot Award is given by The American Legion to recognize great deeds and exemplary acts of service; previous recipients include former Indiana Gov. and Purdue University President Mitch Daniels, former Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert M. Gates, Vietnam War U.S. Army combat nurse Diane Carlson Evans and South Korean multinational electronics leader Samsung.

  Following the presentation of the award, American Legion Past National Commander Fang Wong and Dr. Haynie, IVMF’s founder and Syracuse University’s Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives & Innovation, are scheduled to discuss topics including higher education for veterans, training for transitioning veterans and the challenges associated with being newly disenfranchised from service. To submit a question in advance for the discussion, click here.

• Legion posts affected by COVID can apply for $1,000 grant

  

  Legion Family members in Cortland County deliver food to first responders.

  The American Legion

  Public health mandates in response to the coronavirus included stay-at-home orders and business closures. Those mandates financially impacted American Legion posts nationwide as member and community outreach efforts were limited, resulting in a loss of revenue.

  To provide some relief during these challenging times, financial grants are now available for eligible American Legion posts.

  Resolution No. 36, Mission Blue Post Assistance Program, will provide $1,000 grants to posts that are in good standing with their respective department. These funds must be used exclusively to pay current or past due rent, mortgage, utilities and insurance.

  The American Legion National Executive Committee approved Resolution No. 36 Oct. 14, during its annual Fall Meetings. Funds for the approved grants will be provided through The American Legion National Emergency Fund (NEF). Application is available here.

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• Wednesday, October 28, 2020

  New Temporary Financial Assistance Application

  The American Legion’s Committee on Children and Youth has announced a new Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) application to help children in need.

  Read this Children and Youth eBulletin for details.

  Here is the new TFA Application.

• Read the Autumn Issue of ‘Legion New York ‘

  The latest issue of Legion New York magazine is now available online.

  In addition to features and news, this autumn 2020 issue features the “can do” attitude of the Legion Family across the state in the face of the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  The highlights:

  • How a post’s Boys State choice helps an army medical unit.

  • A post commander’s farmer’s market for veterans.

  • Some of the state law-and-order awards are presented despite the pandemic.

  • “Cowboy” Morris is the new state director of the Legion Riders.

  • Oneonta Riders stages Legacy Run, promotes safety.

  • Altamont Riders open new door during pandemic.

  • Oratorical champ shares words of gratitude.

  • A number of posts organize birthday drive-bys for older vets.

  • Med student benefits from “life-changing” Legacy scholarship.

  • The last WWII vet of the Seneca Nation’s Allegany Territory receives honors.

  • 4,000 masks for Rensselaer County first responders.

  • Bronx Post helps neighborhood cleanup.

  • Canada legionnaires observe anniversary of Korean Armistice.

  • Sag Harbor legionnaire honored.

  • “9/11 memories” by the Department Adjutant.

• Monday, October 05, 2020

  Get the Training Newsletter

  

  The latest issue of The Legion’s Training Newsletter features tips and resources for post leaders and other legionnaires, especially those involved in recruiting and retention.

  Among the topics:

  • Engagement efforts must adapt and overcome

  • Powerpoints and audio presentations from the national virtual membership workshop.

  • Introducing Training Tuesdays

  • National American Legion College postponed

  •Taking the online basic training

  Click to download the Sept-Oct Issue of the Training Newsletter.

• Thursday, October 01, 2020

  ‘Cowboy’ Morris Leads New York’s Legion Riders

  Edward “Cowboy” Morris of Oneida County is the new state director for the American Legion Riders.

  

  Edward “Cowboy” Morris

  Department Commander Michael McDermott appointed Morris “to serve until the Department Convention in 2021,” after Director Robert Wallace resigned for personal reasons, Department Adjutant James Casey announced.

  Morris said his vision is to grow the American Legion Riders, promote the Legion Family, advocate for veterans, educate the public, and promote patriotism. He said he wants “to bring a real sense of brother- and sisterhood to all our chapters.”

  A U.S. Army veteran who served during the Lebanon/Grenada era, he is a member of the Meeker O’Rourke 1309 in Taberg.

  As a member of the Sons of the American Legion, Ed honors his late father, Air Force Veteran Edward R. Morris, who served in the Korean War and Vietnam Conflict.

  As an American Legion Rider, Ed was the 5th & 6th District vice director, a road captain, chapter vice director, and chapter director.

  He has participated in a number of ALR activities such as, Feed The Vets, Clear Path, events for Injured riders, rides to support the Disabled American Veterans, Legacy Rides, Rolling Thunder in Washington, D.C., Patriot Guard for fallen veterans.

  Ed is a member of the Oneida County Department Visitation Committee, and the Committee to Elect Dave Reily Sr. for Department Commander.

  As department vice director, he has given reports and updates at many chapter meetings. He said he encourages networking and the importance of the Chapters Consolidated Reporting to the department.

  A graduate of Rome Free Academy and the Pennsylvania Gunsmith School, Ed is a diesel mechanic for Bliss Environmental, Camden, N.Y., and is married to Past Department President Deborah Kryczkowski. They share three children and eight grandchildren.

  Director Morris may be contacted at director@nylegion.org.