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• Thursday, July 17, 2025

  ‘Be the One’ on the mind of convention-goers

  

  Members of the American Legion Family began converging on Syracuse Wednesday, July 16, for the 107^th Department Convention – and many came with “Be the One” suicide prevention campaign on the mind.

  For example, Past Department Commander Frank Peters spotted a piano in the lobby of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown and began playing some chords, but couldn’t resist holding up a finger symbolizing “Be the One.” Frank is more comfortable on the guitar – he has one in every room of his house – but has been teaching himself how to play the piano.

  A trio of Auxiliary members were in the lobby too and were quick to display their support for “Be the One.” The trio included Gwen Benners, past Tioga County president; Angela Collins, Tioga County president, and Angela’s daughter, Adelle, attending her first convention as a fourth generation member.

  The effort to curb veteran suicide will continue to be a main push for The American Legion in the coming year, as Dan Wiley, leading candidate for national commander, reported during the opening session of the convention on Thursday.