Latest News
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Tuesday, November 01, 2022
Check out the fall issue of Legion New York Magazine
The autumn 2022 issue of Legion New York spotlights the American Legion’s push to combat veteran suicide and homeless. This issue also features:
• the 104th Department Convention (awards, messages, funding to fight suicide & homelessness, and photos).
• baseball champions and scholarships.
• how Commander Riley promotes drive-by membership.
• Post 861 saves a vet’s Purple Heart and gives it to his daughter.
• Phoenix Post hosts car show.
• Penn Yan Post supports history center mission.
• Norfolk Riders raise funds to help vets exposed to toxins.
• Central Square Riders donate to T2T.
• bridge named after deceased Manhasset legionnaire.
• Rye Post donates $15,000 to support vets at VA facility.
• Fredonia legionnaires help honor War of 1812 vet.
• some news from Canada legionnaires.
• legionnaires inducted into NY Senate Hall of Fame.Autumn 2022 -
Monday, October 03, 2022
Suicide Prevention Is Top Priority, State Commander Tells Local Posts
A packed banquet hall at Oriskany Post 1448 greeted Department leaders during their visit to Oneida County.
ORISKANY – During his visits to counties around New York State, Department Commander David R. Riley Sr. is identifying veteran suicide prevention as the number one priority for The American Legion.
The latest statistics show 17 veterans taking their own lives every day, he told the packed banquet hall at Oriskany Post 1448 during his official visit to Oneida County on Sunday, Oct. 2. That veteran suicide rate “is 50 percent higher” than the rate for non-veterans, he said.He cited “Be the One,” an American Legion nation-wide suicide-prevention campaign, which is aimed at getting veterans and the Legion Family to contact other veterans and ask how they are doing, and to reach out to those exhibiting signs of at-risk behavior. It also encourages struggling veterans to reach out for help.
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Thursday, September 29, 2022
Legion Awards Grant to Housing Coalition for Homeless Vets
Department of New York Commander David R. Riley Sr. presents a check for $24,000 to Joseph Sluszka, executive director of the Albany Housing Coalition. Flanking them are Sons of the American Legion Detachment Commander Timothy S. Van Patten II and Department Auxiliary President Nancy Babis. Photo by Frank Carletta.
The American Legion in New York State has awarded a $24,000 grant to the Albany Housing Coalition to furnish six newly rehabilitated apartments for homeless veterans, Department of New York Commander David R. Riley Sr. announced.
This is the third grant that the New York State American Legion has awarded since unveiling a $1.5 million fund in July to address veteran suicide and homelessness.
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Friday, September 16, 2022
There’s a Reason for Our POW/MIA Empty Chair
By David R. Riley, Sr.
Department CommanderA POW/MIA empty chair is present at all official meetings of The American Legion.
It’s a physical symbol of the thousands and thousands of servicemembers unaccounted for.
It’s a physical symbol of The America Legion’s commitment to achieving a full accounting of all U.S. servicemembers from all war eras who are either imprisoned or listed as missing in action.
And it’s why the American Legion Family observes National POW/MIA Recognition Day on the third Friday of September. read more »
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Friday, September 02, 2022
Suicide Prevention Is Jim Troiola’s Top Priority
By Steven B. Brooks | The American Legion
As the new national commander, New York Legionnaire Jim Troiola will make suicide prevention his top priority. Elected during the Legion’s 103rd National Convention in Milwaukee on Sept. 1, Troiola said his “platform and No. 1 priority” will be tackling the “toughest challenge facing veterans” — veteran suicide.
“The American Legion is asking you to ‘Be the One’. And by you, I include every one of us, military and civilian alike. We all need to ‘Be the One’ to begin thinking, talking and acting to save just one life.”
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Thursday, July 28, 2022
Eilene Fisher Is the ‘John B. Sampson Service Officer of the Year’
Eilene Fisher received the John B. Sampson Service Officer of the Year Award from Vicki Sampson (left) and 2021-2022 Department Commander Frank LaMarsh.
Eilene Fisher, director of the Schoharie County Veterans Service Agency, received dual honors at the New York State American Legion Convention held July 14-16 in Binghamton.
She received the Meritorious Service Award and then became the first recipient of the newly named John B. Sampson Service Officer of the Year Award.
