Latest News

• Saturday, July 18, 2026

  Newly Elected State Commander Puts Focus on Youth

  

  “Today’s youth is tomorrow’s future.”

  That’s the theme and focus for newly elected New York State American Legion Commander Thomas R. Schreck.

  “I will be pushing the youth programs,” noted Schreck, a U.S. Navy veteran whose election as American Legion Department of New York commander culminated the 108th annual Department Convention, held July 16-18 in Syracuse.

  He pointed to such Legion programs as Boys State, Girls State, Junior Shooting, Oratorical, and Scholarships.
  In particular, “I’m pushing” for the expansion of Boys State, which immerses high school juniors into the governmental and political arenas on the city, county and state levels.

  A native of Buffalo and now a resident of Chili, NY, Commander Schreck is a member of Chili Post 1830 and the Post Color Guard, where he met “my “sweetheart, Patricia”. He served in the navy from 1970 to 1974, deploying to the Mediterranean, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Following his discharge, he studied criminal justice at Niagara County Community College and criminology, sociology, and psychology at SUNY Brockport. He then joined the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Police Bureau, working there from 1981 to 2003. He also worked security for Wegman’s Food Corporation for about 15 years.

  In the American Legion, Schreck has served as commander on the post, county and district levels as well as a Department vice commander. He also is an instructor at New York American Legion College and is active on the national level on the National Security Subcommittee.

  He said his passion for mentoring future generations began in 2004 as a Boys State counselor.
  “I’ve been there ever since. I firmly believe in the program. I’ve seen a lot of good success stories.”

  With his election as Department commander, he is stepping down as the Boys State program director.
  Nevertheless, his presence will still be felt: He announced that his Special Commander’s Project is Boys State.

  •••

  While the convention ended with a focus on fostering tomorrow’s leaders, it began with a salute to those who came before — to veterans who sacrificed for our nation’s freedom.

  That is when David Detler, a 100-year-old World War II veteran, suddenly found himself facing a standing ovation, with hundreds of younger veterans cheering and applauding, as outgoing Department Commander John Miga pointed to him sitting in the front row.

  Detler is a proud U.S. Army infantryman, who served in England and France and in “Belgium in the Battle of the Bulge,” Miga said. He suffered severe injuries and was medically discharged in October 1945.
  Detler is also a “proud Legionnaire” from Liverpool Post 188, Miga said, and is “accompanied today by his lovely wife, Sierra.”

  

  World War II vet David Detler and wife Sierra with 2025-2026 Department Commander John Miga.

  •••
  The spotlight on Detler immediately followed opening ceremonies, which included the myriad veterans rending salutes as the Department Color Guard presented the colors and removing their caps as Department Chaplain Rev. Mattie McIntyre invoked God’s “presence and blessings upon this meeting.”Then Master-at-arms Margaret Folk led the Pledge of Allegiance and Thomas Schreck conducted the POW/MIA Remembrance ceremony.

  LEGIONNAIRE OF YEAR

  The Legionnaire of the Year is Tom Fisher from Columbia County, Committee Chair Victoria Ferris announced .

  “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

  CONVENTION HIGHTLIGHTS

  The convention featured speakers and reports, with a focus on recognizing outstanding first responders, youth, and Legionnaires.

  Deputy Syracuse Mayor Corey Dunham brought a joint proclamation declaring it American Legion Week in the city and Onondaga County.

  In his farewell address , 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.”

  •••

  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.

  •••

  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/home

  Noting 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 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.”

  [ MORE HIGHLIGHTS TO COME ]