Latest News
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Saturday, July 25, 2026
CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS: More Awards and Reports
LEGIONNAIRE OF YEAR
The Legionnaire of the Year is Tom Fisher from Columbia County, Committee Chair Victoria Ferris announced at the 108th Department Convention, held July 16-18. .
“He exemplifies the highest ideal of the American Legion through unwavering dedication, servant leadership, and an extraordinary commitment to veterans, youth, and community service.”
2025-2026 Department Commander John Miga presents Legionnaire of Year Award to Thomas Fisher
Deputy Mayor Corey Dunham reads proclamation
AMERICAN LEGION WEEK
Deputy Syracuse Mayor Corey Dunham brought a joint proclamation declaring it American Legion Week in the city and Onondaga County.
FAREWELL REMARKS
In his farewell address , 2025-2026 Department Commander John Miga noted:
“As commander, I learned something important. Leadership is not about the title. It’s about responsibility. It’s about showing up. It’s about listening. It’s about serving.” And in traveling across 62 counties, he discovered that Legionnaires everywhere “embody those values.”He concluded: “Our challenges are real, our opportunities are greater. We must keep moving forward, welcoming new members, strengthening our programs, and supporting every veteran who needs us.”
FINANCIALLY SOUND
Department Treasurer Catherine Erwin announced that the Department was in fine fiscal shape and that the Finance Committee and Executive Committee approved the 2026-2027 budget, which adjusted for changes in revenues and expenses. While she couldn’t speak for the National Finance Committee, the Department of New York was not increasing membership dues, she said to cheers and applause.
GRASSROOTS ACTION PROGRAM
Frank Peters
National Executive Committeeman Frank Peters reported on a national headquarters endeavor to make it easy to contact senators and congressional representatives on pending legislation that the American Legion supports.
“The American Legion Grassroots Action Program” explains legislative issues and encourages Legionnaires “to engage elected officials on Capitol Hill, by either in person visits, phone calls, or through emails, using the Grassroots Action Program web page.” One can access the program at this link:
https://www.votervoice.net/AmericanLegion/homeNoting that, “as the American Legion family, we are better together,” he said the Department of New York passed a resolution at last year’s convention, “asking the national organization for action and support of a local campaign to present the Medal of Honor posthumously to Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis, who was killed in action while protecting his troops from a suicide bomb on August 28, 2013,” in Afghanistan. The National Executive Committee approved the resolution last October and it “was sent to the desk of President Donald J. Trump, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, Senator Charles Schumer, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for action and support.”
On March 3, 2026, “President Trump presented the Medal of Honor to Robert and Linda Ollis,” recognizing their son’s “conspicuous gallantry.”
,He added: “I have no doubt that our resolution played a significant role in a renewed effort to see this honor bestowed on the Ollis family.”
LEGION COLLEGE
Legion College Dean Timothy Collmer reported that 104 persons had signed up for the college’s 2026 session, held June 5-7 at SUNY Morrisville.
The class included 63 Legionnaires, 32 Auxiliary members and nine members of the Sons of the American Legion.
“We graduated 94.”
JUNIOR SHOOTING SPORTS AWARDS
The Middletown Post team took first place in the Jr Shooting State Championships (Sporter category)
The American Legion’s Junior Shooting Sports Program teaches safety education marksmanship to youth in air rifle target shooting. Posts that field teams during the year look forward to participating in the Department of New York League Championships (held at Cicero American Legion Post 787).
The team from Middletown Post 151 took top honors in the three-position air rifle state championship (sporter category), Jr. Shooting Co-Chair Zack Wallace reported at the 108th Department Convention, held in Syracuse July 16-18. . Team members included Bryan Morales, Yaniel Rodriguez Vera, Estefani Barba, and Guadalupe Delarosa Cuenca.
In the precision category, the Central Square Post 915 team shot to the top. Members include Cameron Corasanti, Megan Revenaugh, Shelby Mosher, and Jennasis Wagner.
Emily Harwood, top shooter in the sporter category
Individual high scorers were:
• Emily Harwood of Warsaw Post 532 in the sporter category.
• Allyson Gadway of Morrisonville Post 1619 in the precision category.
MEMBERSHIP AWARDS
The number of new members in the Department of New York slightly outpaced those aging Legionnaires who transitioned to “Post Everlasting” this past year – 2,400 vs. 2,313, Membership Chair Joseph Patnode reported at the 108th Department Convention held in Syracuse July 16-18.
Two counties hit over 100% of their membership goal:
“Canada County” (a portion of Canada home to Legionnaires) in the Eighth District had 118.52%.
Yates County in the Seventh District had 103.21%
In all, 217 Posts achieved over 100 percent of their membership goals.
While “we are recruiting new members,” he noted, “our membership efforts for the coming year must be focused on retaining our members.” especially since New York achieved just over 94 percent of its goal of 72,100 members prior to the convention.
“As many of us have heard about the cost of membership, I saw a sign in a post that inspired me:
‘It is not the amount you pay to be a member,
but the price you paid to be eligible’.”Patnode announced recruiting awards, starting with two top individual recruiters. Receiving a Gold Recruiter Pin with Sapphire Stone was Tracy Lowe ofColon-Couch Post 821 in Jefferson County for recruiting more than 25 members. Receiving a Gold Recruiter Pin was Charles E. Hall of Doris Miller Post 213 in Kings County for recruiting over ten members.
Posts receiving a Membership Citation for achieving 125% or more of their membership goals were:
Post 0041- Syracuse (Onondaga CountyJ
Post 0086 – Archie Mc Cord (Nassau County)
Post 0148 – Hanover Memorial (Chautauqua County)
Post 0176- Sullivan-Shafer (Ulster County)
Post 0203 – Beacon (Dutchess County)
Post 0425 – Herbert W. Carr (Niagara County)
Post 0688 – W. E. Coffey-A. E. Wilson (Kings County
Post 0812 – Francis J. Clark, C. M. H. (Washington County)
Post 0979 – LeRoy Gregory (Westchester County)
Post 1097 – North Castle (Westchester County)
Post 1297 – North Syracuse (Onondaga County)
Post 1338 – Francis J. Flaherty (Steuben County)
Post 1363 – Sylvan Liebla, Inc. (Sullivan County)
Post 1390 – Maine (Broome County)
Post 1504- Robert W. Howden (Allegan County)
Post 1689 – Ouleout Valley (Delaware County)
Post 1750 – U.S. Internal Revenue (Albany County)
Post 1766- Irving Hart (Suffolk County)
Post CN18-Tony Matthews (Canada County)Canada County (Commander Robert J. Winder) and Yates County Commander John Antes) received the Membership Team Medal for achieving the highest percentage over their goals. Canada also received the
Maurice Stember, PNC, Plaque for being the first county to reach its goal and the Michael J. Kogutek, PNC, Plaque for the greatest percentage increase in members.
The Fang A. Wong, PNC, Plaque went to two Posts for being the first to achieve 100 percent in their respective size categories:
• Post 1087 – Cathedral (Nassau County)
• Post 0694 – Northport (Suffolk County)
Richard M. Pedro, PNC< Plaque went to the vice commander whose area had the greatest number of Posts over 100% — Donald C. Sisson, Districts 7 & 8.
Department Commander’s Plaque went to the county and post with the greatest percentage increase over their goals: Canada County plus Hanover Memorial Post 148 (Chautauqua County) and Saranac Post 161 (Clinton County).
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Thursday, July 23, 2026
Resolutions Adopted at 2026 Department Convention
The delegate body passed a number of resolutions at the 108th Department Convention, held July 16-18 in Syracuse.
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Schacher Appointed Department Adjutant
U.S. Navy Veteran and Past Department Commander Gary Schacher is the new adjutant for the Department of New York. He succeeds James W. Casey in the senior leadership role.Having served on ship in the Persian Gulf in the early 80’s and with the Navy Seabees ground forces in Iraq in 2004-2005, Schacher retired in 2006 as a Chief Petty Officer after 26 years in the Navy.
On the civilian side, he is retired from the New York State Police.
In 2017 he was recognized by the NY State Senate for distinguishing himself both in military and civilian life and was inducted into the NY State Senate Veteran’s Hall of Fame.
Schacher is a 35-year member of the American Legion, and in 2018 he was elected as Department Commander for its 100th Anniversary year. He served as National Commander Jim Troiola’s Aide in 2022-2023. He has served on the National Security Council, National Membership and Post Activities Committee and the National Media and Communications Commission.
Schacher and his wife, Laurie, reside in Cobleskill.
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Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Scouting Awards Help Highlight Legion’s Commitment to Youth
Eagle Scout of the Year David Clearwater with Scouting Chair Jean Williams (left), 2025-2026 Department Commander John Miga, and Scouting Vice Chair Heather Stevens
Department Scouting Chair Jean Williams announced two awards at the 108th Department Convention, held July 16-18 in Syracuse.
For the first time, the Scouter of the Year is a Girl Scout leader, Kearie Baumgartner from Monroe County in the 7th District. Monroe County Commander Joe Perkins accepted the Scout leader award on behalf of Baumgartner.
This year’s Eagle Scout of the Year is David Clearwater from Troop 8 out of Sawkill in Ulster County in the 3rd District. Eagle Scout Clearwater accepted a plaque and scholarship check and addressed the assembly, thanking the American Legion for all it does for youth.
Scouting complements the American Legion’s mission “by teaching leadership, citizenship, service, respect for our nation,” he said. These are values that “helped shape the person I am today.”
Williams also reported a couple of recent changes with Scouting America. “In support of the military, Scouting America is waiving the registration fees for children of Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve service members. Additionally, Scouting America introduced the new Military Service & Veterans badge to the Scouts BSA Test Lab. The badge helps Scouts explore the values, history, and human stories behind military service while connecting with veterans and service members. The badge is available for Scouts to earn and help refine through October 1, 2026….You can review the pilot requirements and find feedback forms on the official Scouting America Test Lab Page.”
Regarding recognition for an outstanding Girl Scout, Williams noted that thanks to a resolution passed at last year’s convention, a committee has developed a proposal and has submitted it to the Department for review.
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Tell Senators: Pass ‘Take Care of America’s Veterans’ Act
National Commander Dan Wiley:
‘With your support, we can usher in an era of sweeping legislation that will positively impact the lives of veterans and their families for generations.’
For details and how to contact your representatives, go to this link:
Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
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Tuesday, July 21, 2026
2026 Department Convention Raffle Winners
• William Keller Jr, $5,000, Rochester
• Ronald Zarbo, $2,500, Pavilion
• Vincent Bilotti, $1,000, Staten Island
• Charles Matthew, $500, Montour Falls
• Michael Brenna, $500, Belle Harbor
• Frederick Gide, $500, Fort Madison
• Kevin Southcott, $500, Marion
