Latest News
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Sunday, January 21, 2024
Commander Announces 2 Grants With Suicide Prevention as ‘Our Focus’
Commander Timothy Collmer briefs WRGB Channel 6 photojournalist on the American Legion’s suicide prevention efforts.
“Our focus in The American Legion is on suicide prevention.”
That’s how Department Commander Timothy Collmer began a briefing with news media during the Department of New York’s 105th Mid-Winter Conference in Albany.
As part of the “Be the One” campaign, “we have people that are willing to listen to veterans who are struggling… and get them the help they need.”
He said the Department of New York also works with partners to provide direct support and assistance to vets suffering from post traumatic stress. In line with that, Collmer announced two grants totaling $130,000. They are:
• $100,000 to the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation to fund creative arts therapy for struggling vets.
• $30,000 to High and Mighty Therapeutic Riding and Driving Center in Ghent, N.Y. to help fund equine therapy for vets with post traumatic stress.
In the past two years, The American Legion Department of New York has awarded nearly $550,000 in grants to organizations directly helping veterans at risk of suicide or homelessness.
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Friday, January 19, 2024
Veterans Converge on Albany for Mid-Winter Conference
Leo Mackin and Mike Nussbaum with service dog Ginger were among hundreds of veterans participating in the Mid-Winter Conference. Photos by Robert Stronach.
The three-day American Legion Mid-Winter Conference got underway Friday, Jan. 19, with hundreds of veterans and family members converging on Albany.
Participants include members of The American Legion Department of New York, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.
Held at the Crowne Plaza Desmond Hotel, the conference features workshops and seminars on a host of topics affecting military veterans, plus a Sunday morning general session.
One of the primary themes of the conference is the effort to curb veteran suicide under The American Legion’s “Be the One” campaign that encourages members to reach out to veterans who may be showing signs of wanting to take their own lives.
PHOTO ABOVE:
Among the hundreds of veterans participating in the Mid-Winter Conference were Leo Mackin, proudly displaying his “grandpa” status, and Mike Nussbaum, accompanied by his service dog, Ginger.
Mackin is a member of Richfield Springs Post 616 and served as vice commander of Districts 5 and 6 last year.
Nussbaum is commander of Wheatfield Post 1451. A former army medic, Nussbaum served in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Ginger helps him cope with post traumatic stress.
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Sunday, December 24, 2023
Merry Christmas to All Our Armed Forces
The American Legion Department of New York wishes a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our brothers and sisters in arms, wherever they are serving – from the chilly air of Alaska to the warmer clime of the Mid-East.
The spirit of the season follows wherever the U.S. military serves – including making sure Santa and his elves visit as many places as possible, bringing joy to the troops and especially children.
Santa and his elves visit Old Harbor, Alaska, with an air crew from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak and give presents to children as part of the Santa to the Villages program, Dec. 8, 2023. This program has been an annual event since 1974. The presents were courtesy of the Coast Guard’s Kodiak Spouses Association. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Shannon Kearney)
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Tuesday, December 05, 2023
Passing of PDC Doug Malin
Past Department Commander and long-time Department Photographer Doug Malin passed away on Dec. 3, 2023, at the age of 82.
“Doug served the New York American Legion in many ways over the years and is best known for his tireless work as Department Photographer,” notes Department Adjutant James Casey. “He was a friend and mentor to everyone who met him. Losing Doug is devasting to us all.”
Doug Malin
Doug served in the United States Marine Corps for 4 years and was active in The American Legion for much of his life, especially after retiring as a detective with the NYPD.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ann, his three sons, five grandchildren, and sister, Donna McNamara.
Visitation is on on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the T.J. McGowan Funeral Home, 71 Central Highway, Garnerville, NY 10923. Funeral Mass is at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7 at St. Gregory Barbarigo Church, 25 Cinder Road, Garnerville, NY 10923. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Legion, Dept. of NY, 1304 Park Blvd,. Troy, NY 12180, with notation for BE THE ONE, or the Multiple Myeloma Foundation.
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Sunday, November 26, 2023
Autumn issue of Legion New York is available
Autumn 2023Check out the latest edition of Legion New York Magazine. This Autumn 2023 issue features, among other things:
• Coverage of the Department Convention, especially awards and recognition.
• VA S.A.V.E. Training complements “Be the One”.
• Post in Saratoga Springs walks a mile in “Be the One” shoes.
• Post hosts highway-naming ceremony in honor of KIA.
• Legion Family helps build house for vet.
• Highland Falls Post steps up after flooding hits community.
• Oneida County honors 100-year-old Legionnaire.
• Buffalo community day celebrates diversity.
• Greece, Rockland are state baseball champions.
• Limestone Post donates to preserve. -
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
NYS American Legion Calls It ‘Outrageous’
Commander Tim Collmer
“It appears to be an outrageous case of neglect,” New York State American Legion Commander Timothy Collmer said in reaction to a New York Post report about the COVID-related deaths of more than 100 veterans at a State Veterans Home in Queens.
“Our veterans deserved better. They had sacrificed and put their lives on the line for their country. In return they faced neglect. To call it shameful is an understatement.”
The Post reported that families of the veterans were suing the state-run facility for negligence, citing, among other things, lack of following infection control protocols.
Collmer added: “Those families had sacrificed when their loved ones were deployed. The hearts and prayers of our members go out to them for having had to sacrifice and suffer loss again.”
