Latest News
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Friday, May 26, 2023
Ensuring That the Ultimate Sacrifice Is Not in Vain
By David R. Riley Sr.
Department CommanderWe do not forget.
We do not forget those who died for their country so that others can enjoy freedom.
We do not forget the Gold Star families who mourn loved ones for the rest of their lives.
The American Legion Family has a special obligation to honor and remember all of our country’s fallen heroes. We remember them not just on Memorial Day, but through our daily commitment to ensure that America remains a place worthy of such sacrifice.
We honor these heroes by supporting those who are currently serving in our armed forces. Military service comes with inherent dangers. Earlier this year, we lost nine young soldiers when two Black Hawk helicopters crashed near Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
The men and women who died for our freedom represent the diverse patchwork that is the United States of America. They came from every ethnicity and background. In short, they looked like anyone of us.
Their one common characteristic is that they all took an oath to be ready to put themselves in harm’s way for their country.
We remember. We remember to ensure that their sacrifices are not in vain and that future generations understand the importance of service and sacrifice.
We remember.
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Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Department Commander Reacts to ‘Hoax’
The claim that homeless veterans were booted from hotels is apparently a hoax, American Legion Deparatment of New York Commander David R. Riley Sr. said.He pointed to a follow-up story in the New York Post reporting that a veterans’ advocate lied about vets being displaced to make room for migrants and that hotels confirmed no one was displaced.
“We are glad that no veterans were displaced,” Riley said. “We reacted strongly after the initial news report. It’s unfortunate that everyone was misled.”
He added that The American Legion remains committed to “the men and women who served our country and especially to finding ways to help our struggling veterans.”
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Thursday, May 18, 2023
Bowling Tournament Results Available
Results for the 73rd annual Department Bowling Tournament are available here. The tournament took place over the weekends from April 22 to May 7.
Jake Sladish bowled a 3-game total of 756, grabbing the $300 first place prize in the men’s singles division while Sheryl Henrickson took the $300 first place prize in the women’s singles division, with a 3-game total of 601 and a handicapped total of 781.In the doubles competition, G. Pitre and A. White won the $400 first place prize with a 3-game total of 1269 and a handicapped total of 1410.
In the team contest, Post 401 Team #3 grabbed the title and a prize of $480. The 3-game total was 2047 and the handicapped total was 2719.
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Saturday, May 13, 2023
Department Commander Condemns Displacing Struggling Veterans
New York State’s American Legion commander condemned displacing homeless veterans from hotels to make room for migrants coming from New York City.“These veterans served their country, taking an oath to put themselves in harm’s way if need be,” said David R. Riley Sr., American Legion Department of New York commander. “They deserve better. We owe them. Our country, our state, our citizens owe them.”
Riley said he was reacting to a report in the New York Post about a number of upstate hotels in the Newburgh and Middletown areas giving the boot to struggling veterans to make room for migrants.
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Monday, April 24, 2023
NY’s Oratorical Champ Places 2nd Nationally
Ian Chung. Photo by Hilary Ott/The American Legion
Department of New York’s Oratorical Champion Ian Chung came in second in the National Oratorical Content, winning a $22,500 scholarship.
The national contest was held in Indianapolis, Indiana from April 21 to 23, 2023 with 49 contestants from all over the world trying to win one of the three top scholarships of $25,000; $22,500; $20,000.
All 49 contestants are awarded a $2,000.00 scholarship for competing in the first round of competition. If they go on to the semi-final round they will receive an additional $2,000.00 if they are not the top three finalists.
The National Champion for 2023 is Haley Bock of the Department of Indiana. In third place is Emma Johnson of the Department of Wyoming.
Information for next year’s competition will be on the New York website immediately following the Department Convention in July.
From left: Ian Chung of Vestal, N.Y., Haley Bock of Indianapolis. and Emma Johnson of Powell, Wyo.. Photo by Hilary Ott/The American Legion.
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Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Spring issue of “Legion New York” Is Now Online
The spring issue of Legion New York Magazine features the American Legion’s suicide prevention https://best-usa-casinos-online.com/real-money-online-casinos/ campaign and some coverage of the Mid-Winter Conference.
The magazine also spotlights happening at posts around the state.Here are highlights:
• Grants awarded to groups to stem veteran suicide, homelessness.
* Mid-Winter Conference photo candids.
• Sherburne’s “Sip and Paint” raises $$ for “Be the One”.
• Dwyer Vet-to-Vet program supports “Be the One”.
• Carthage Post offers brunch with a health check.
• Legionnaire was Bronx grand marshal.
• Homecoming Gala for Dept. leaders is May 20.
• National commander spotlights legislative priorities.
• Greece Post hosts cancer benefit.
• Ausable Forks Post donates $74,800.
• Revised comic book is flag etiquette tool.
• Chautauqua County welcomes home Viet vets.
• Troiola tours the ship of New York.
• Eagle Scout’s connection to Four Chaplains story.
• Pamyra honors “hometown heroes”.
• Ian Chung is state oratorical champ.
• Dept. leaders visit “USS the Sullivans”.
