Latest News
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Friday, January 29, 2021
Legion Helps Vet Without Heat
Rockland County Commander Patrick Casper with veteran at her home.
“It’s What We Do.”
That’s the motto for the Rockland County American Legion Family, County Commander Patrick Casper noted after The American Legion successfully advocated on behalf of a veteran with two children who had no heat in her Valley College home.
The result was that the veteran’s furnace was serviced, and heat restored.
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Thursday, January 28, 2021
Rescheduling of National American Legion College
The National American Legion College will hold a class for 2020 applicants In November and a class for 2021 applicants in December.
“The class of 2020 college dates are confirmed for November 13-19, 2021,” National Adjutant Daniel S. Wheeler announced Jan. 27. “All departments who submitted applications still have one seat in the class,” based on the top-ranked applicant submitted. “Call-in letters will be sent no later than April 1 with the class dates, travel, and lodging information.”
After the 2020 class concludes, a 2021 college class will convene December 12-17, 2021, he said.
The 2021 student application will be posted and available on February 5, 2021, at legion.org/college. Applicants who were not selected for the 2020 class and would like to attend the 2021 class will be required to complete a 2021 application. Class of 2021 student applications are due July 31, 2021.
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Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Winners of the Mid-Winter Sweepstakes
The following are the winners of the Mid-Winter Sweepstakes, announced during the limited Virtual Mid-Winter Conference on Jan. 23.
• Grand Prize Winner $5,000 — Thomas N Lewis Jr. of Orange Park, Fl
• 2nd Prize $2,000 — Clarence C Smith of Woodstock NY
• 3rd Prize $1,000 — Gary Whitham of East Syracuse, NY
• 4th Prize $500 — George Vissichelli of Mount Sinai, NY
• Winners of $250 each — Alexander Macinness, Ocala Fl; Dale Bonitz, Bloomburg, NY; Carl Ricker, Fredonia, NY; Patrick Smith, Middletown, NY.
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Sunday, January 24, 2021
2021 Hill Day Canceled
The 2021 Hill Day is canceled due to the lingering impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The decision was made by the Department Executive Committee during the limited virtual Mid-Winter Conference on Jan. 23.
Normally Legionnaires from across New York State would converge on Albany for The American Legion’s annual Legislative Hill Day to discuss veteran-related legislation and meet with state legislators. With Legionnaires receiving a legislative briefing the night before, Hill Day would kick off with breakfast with legislators, followed by visits to Assembly and Senate offices.
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Saturday, January 23, 2021
Read the Latest Issue of ‘Legion New York’ Magazine
The latest issue of Legion New York Magazine is available online.This winter edition spotlights American Legion activity across the state in spite of the pandemic, such as:
• the Department of New York supporting veterans’ shelters.
• the Department honoring a corrections officer and 911 dispatcher.
• Perry Post being an example of posts finding ways to adapt, overcome.
• Erie County giving an award.
• Chautauqua County supporting a vets van.
• Malverne veteran being honored.
• Legion helping Lynbrook commemorate Vets Day.
• Orchard Park Post moving to new home.
• Erie Count and 8th District honoring a police officer.
• Post sponsoring blood drive at Sing Sing.
• Rockville Centre holding law-and-order night.
• Valhalla Post finding ways to keep busy.
• Awarding PNC Kogutek scholarships.
• Remembering Pearl Harbor in Rockville Centre.
• Abundant gratitude in Massena.
• Olean Post holding first public event since COVID struck.
The magazine also features articles on an Army museum modeling its exhibits after NY National Guardsmen (including Legion members); a Boys State governor writing legislation that Congress passed; Jim Troiola’s campaign for national commander; and the dedication of western New York veterans cemetery.
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Boys’ State Virtual Program Runs June 27 to July 1
New York American Legion Boys’ State takes place virtually this year – on June 27, 28, 29, 30 and July 1, Department Adjutant James Casey announced following a Boys State Directors’ meeting held via Zoom on Jan. 23.“The program will be on-line for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon,” he said.
The cost for Posts will be $125.00 per boy and each will receive a tee shirt via US mail.
“At this time we are limiting attendance to 500 boys on a first-come, first-accepted basis,” he said.
The program immerses high school youth (currently completing their junior year) in citizenship and leadership development. They learn the practical aspects of government as it exists in New York State, and come to recognize that the individual is integral to the character and success of government.
If you or a youth you know would like to apply, contact your local American Legion Post to inquire about sponsoring you to Boys State. Once a Post agrees to sponsor a youth, he will receive a notification to go ahead and submit the online application to this year’s Boys State program.
