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  • Friday, March 15, 2024

    American Legion Membership Impact Report – Feb. 2024

    Check out the impact of American Legion membership.

    American Legion Impact Report – Feb. 2024

  • Monday, March 04, 2024

    Nia Gooden Is the NYS American Legion Oratorical Champion

    Oratorical first place winner

    ALBANY — Nia Gooden, a junior at New Rochelle High School in Westchester, New York, is The American Legion New York State Oratorical Champion for 2024, Oratorical Chairman Anthony Paternostro announced. Department Commander Timothy Collmer presented her with the first-place plaque.

    This year’s contest was conducted on March 2 at the Crown Plaza-Desmond Hotel, Albany.

    Nia received a Department of New York Scholarship Award of $6,000 and competes in the National Finals on May 17-19, 2024, at Hillsdale College in Michigan.  She competed against four other finalists from a cross section of the state in the 87th Annual American Legion Department of New York Oratorical Contest. She was sponsored by the Yorktown Heights American Legion Post 1009, Westchester County, 9th District, Zone 1.

    Other contestants were:

    Maureen Kennedy, who won a $4,000 scholarship as the second place finisher. She was sponsored by the Greenlawn Post 1244 of Suffolk County, 10th District, Zone 2

    Orianna Cotten, who finished third and won a $2,500 scholarship. She was sponsored by Brushton-Moira Post 939 of Franklin County, 4th District, Zone 3;

    Grant Gillman and Hannah Brundage, who each won $2,000 scholarships. Grant was sponsored by the Carthage Post 789 of Jefferson County, 5th District, Zone 4. Hannah was sponsored by the Jewell Buckman Post 529 of Orleans  County, 8th District, Zone 5.

    Oratorical winners

    (From left) 2024 Department Champion Nia Gooden, Maureen Kennedy, Orianna Cotton, Department Commander Timothy Collmer, Hannah Brundage, and Grant Gillman.

    Photos by Frank Carletta.

     

  • Tuesday, February 06, 2024

    2024 Consolidated Post Report

    The 2023-2024 Consolidated Post Report Form is available on the Resources page (and below) as a fillable PDF.

    2023 – 2024 CPR Form

     

     

  • Friday, January 26, 2024

    Congrats to Mid-Winter Sweepstakes Winners

    Congratulations to our 2024 Mid-Winter Sweepstakes Winners:

    $ 250.00 Winners
    Martin Moot, Hamburg NY
    Rodney Daeffler, Waterloo NY
    Charles Rayno, Waterloo NY
    John T Kelly, Churchville, NY

    $ 500.00 Winner
    Loraine Vonglis of Lima, NY

    $1,000.00 Winner
    Glenn S. Martin of East Meredith NY

    $2,000.00 Winner
    Charles Anderson of Albany NY

    $5,000.00 Winner  
    Thomas Cole of Conesus, NY

  • Thursday, January 25, 2024

    Winter/Spring Issue of Legion New York Magazine

    Legion New York Magazine spotlights Buffalo’s Naval and Military Park and Geneseo’s National Warplane Museum in conjunction with the national commander’s visit to western New York.

    This winter/spring issue also spotlights several Legionnaires receiving French and NY State honors, plus the good work being done by Legion Riders, the Auxiliary and Legion Posts.

    Winter-Spring 2024
  • Sunday, January 21, 2024

    Commander Announces 2 Grants With Suicide Prevention as ‘Our Focus’

    Commander Tim Collmer news media briefijng

    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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