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Saturday, July 12, 2025

Erie County Youth Elected Boys’ State Governor

Boys State Governor David Brophy holds first bill that he signed after the mock legislature passed the legislation.

David Brophy, a student at Clarence High School, was elected governor of the 2025 session of New York American Legion’s Boys’ State, held June 30 to July 3 at SUNY Morrisville.

The annual Boys’ State immersed some 700 high school juniors in citizenship and leadership by having them run a mock government. The students represented imaginary cities and counties and ran campaigns for political office on the state level. With input from the “citizens”, those elected then passed legislation on various topics and issues.

In addition, they participated in athletics and other pursuits such as band, journalism, photography and video production while learning to work together under the guidance of veterans and U.S. Marines.

Brophy was sponsored by Clarence American Legion Post 838 in Erie County.

He also won a Samsung Scholarship and was selected to attend Boys’ Nation July 18-26 in Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Check Out May’s Membership Impact Report

The May Impact Report is now available.
Thursday, May 22, 2025

NYS Expands Veterans Tuition Award

Effective July 1, 2025, both combat veterans and non-combat veterans (at least four years on active duty) will be eligible for the New York State Veterans Tuition Award.

Previously, only combat veterans could apply for the tuition assistance.

The State Legislature and the governor reached an agreement on the long-awaited eligibility expansion last fall.

The expanded eligibility date was announced by Benjamin P. Pomerance, deputy counsel with the NY State Department of Veterans’ Services (veterans.ny.gov).

He explained that beginning July 1, veterans can qualify for the Veterans Tuition Award through either of the following eligibility pathways:

• Combat service for any length of time, OR

• Active-duty service (without any combat duty) for a minimum total of four years

He noted: “Through this change — the largest expansion of Veterans Tuition Award eligibility since this program was created — veterans who have performed this vital service in non-combat areas will now qualify for this benefit as well. This is a huge change, and an important one, as it will open the door to an entirely new array of higher education opportunities for veterans throughout our state, translating into life-changing results.”

As a reminder, the Veterans Tuition Award covers the full State University of New York or City University of New York in-state undergraduate tuition cost for full-time or part-time studies. A veteran must be a New York State resident to qualify for this benefit.

Eligible Veterans can use the Veterans Tuition Award toward the cost of a non-SUNY or non-CUNY school as well to offset partially the tuition cost at that private college, university, or vocational training program. Additionally, eligible Veterans can elect to use their Veterans Tuition Award funds toward a graduate degree, but the total payout for the benefit will be equal to the in-state undergraduate tuition rate, not the in-state graduate tuition rate.
Thursday, May 15, 2025

Blood Drive at Department Convention

The American Legion Department of New York will host a blood drive during the Department Convention in July at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Commander’s Memorial Day Message

Our Heroes Are Sons and Daughters, Too

By Keith J. Koster
Department of New York Commander

Originally May 30th was Decoration Day and Congress changed the recognition to the last Monday of May and renamed this day to “Memorial Day”. American Legion Posts across New York will be holding recognition events, marching in parades, and preforming ceremonies. We take this obligation serious to remembering our fallen heroes and comrades. It is our solemn obligation to teach and educate our communities & youth that Memorial day is not a Day of Celebration. It is a day we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free. We also remember the Gold Star families and share in their grief. Many of us remember a family member or friend who has gone on to join Post everlasting. It is our duty as Legionnaires to honor those who have gone before us. We understand the sacrifices of those who went before us through the Chaple of the Four Chaplains, the memorials in our hometowns and hamlets.

This year I will be remembering and honoring two New Yorker’s and their families we had the privilege to meet in our travels. These two individuals are both Medal of Honor recipients — Micheal P. Murphy & Jason Dunham. Micheal Murphy was from Long Island and a United States Navy Seal. Micheal was killed June 28, 2005, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan during Operation Red Wings. Jason Dunham was a corporal in the United States Marine Corps from Scio, NY in Allegany County. He served with 3rd Battalion 7th Marines during the Iraq War. Durham used his helmet & body to cover a live grenade to save his fellow Marines. Dunham died eight days later on April 22,2004.

To us as Americans and Veterans these individual men are both heroes but to their parents, they were their sons. When we remember our fallen this Memorial Day, let us remember them as heroes but also sons and daughters that have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. While there may be no words we can offer the families, let our actions on Memorial show our respect for those we have lost.

Thank you for all you do to recognize our fallen heroes. God Bless you, God Bless America and may God watch over our Gold Star Families.
Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Spring issue of Legion New York Mag is available

The spring issue of Legion New York Magazine includes coverage of the Mid-Winter Conference with articles and photos. The commander announces a $50.000 grant and presents the Service Officer of the Year Award.

In addition:

• meet the Department Oratorical champion and finalists.
• see how a craft show spreads the “Be the One” message.
• legionnaires support the “honor our heroes” act.
• legionnaire receives Empore Award.

Spring 2025 Legion New York

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