Latest News
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Thursday, November 02, 2023
National Commander Visits Western New York
Photos by Lauren Petracca/The American LegionDuring his visit to western New York in October, American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer participated in ceremonies honoring the service of African American and Hispanic American veterans at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park.
In his comments to the assembled members there, Seehafer said “the whole Legion Family thanks you” for serving and continuing to serve. He recounted that more than 1 in 5 Medal of Honor recipients through U.S. history have been immigrants and spoke of the Legion’s support for immigrant veterans.
Seehafer toured the park’s structures and ships, but not before stopping at a pair of monuments to pay respects and lay wreaths.The Hispanic veterans monument features both a male and a female figure – said to be rarely combined in one design – and small inset enamel flags from the United States and the 21 Western Hemisphere countries from where most Hispanic American veterans trace their heritage.
The African American Veterans Monument was dedicated in September 2022. The design stands out from its companion memorials in the park: 12 black concrete pillars 10 feet tall and 3 feet wide, in a chronological sequence of the dates of each of the nation’s military conflicts.
Commander Seehafer also visited another historical military site – the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo – and got to sit in the cockpit of a World War II C-47 transport, cargo and paratrooper plane. “This is more than history,” Seehafer said. “…it brings real moments to life.”
During his western New York swing, Seehafer said he had a three-fold mission:
• to continue the national “Be the One” message to raise awareness about veterans’ suicide;
• to promote the Legion’s mission of serving veterans and their families;
• to learn more about the local Legion presence.
(Excerpted from reports by Laura Edwards for The American Legion and Ben Beagle of Livingston County News)
Photo by Ben Ben Beagle/Livingston County News -
Monday, August 21, 2023
Legislaive Agenda
The Department of New York legislative agenda for 2023-24 is now available as a tri-fold brochure on the Legislative page as well as below. The agenda includes legislative that the Legion would like NY State to act on.
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Tuesday, August 01, 2023
Greece, Rockland Are State Baseball Champions
Two teams have emerged as champions in the American Legion New York State Baseball Championship tournaments.
In the senior division, defending champion Greece Post 468 held on to its title. Greece went 4-0 to capture its second consecutive championship and is 8-0 in NYS tournament play the past two seasons. The team had an impressive 16-0-1 record during the regular season and only lost one game in the 7th District tournament.
In the junior division, Rockland Pirates Leo Laders Post 130 JR team grabbed the state championship. Rockland players went 3-0 to win the title outscoring opponents 37-4. The Pirates are from the 9th District.
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Greece Post Champions
Rockland Pirates Junior Champions
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Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Reports, Awards on Final Day of Convention
On the final day of the convention on July 22, before the proceedings culminated in the election of 2023-2024 leadership, several awards and reports were presented.
SAL COMMANDER
Detachment Commander Peter DeAngelis
National SAL Commander J.R.Hall with outgoing Detachment Commander Timothy Van Patten II at left.
Before introducing new Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Detachment Commander Peter DeAngelis, outgoing Detachment Commander Timothy Van Patten II reported on the Sons impact. The previous year, 27 percent of squadrons submitted consolidated reports showing that between donations and volunteer hours, the Sons had an economic impact of $2.7 million. This past year 47 percent of squadrons reported over $761,000 in donations and over 192,000 volunteer hours, for a total impact of over $6.8 million.
“Imagine what the impact will be when we hit 100 percent reporting!” he said.
He also noted that SAL membership in New York stood at 30,075.
Van Patten presented a goodie bag of mementoes to outgoing Department Commander David Riley. One of them was special – a U.S. flag that saw duty in Beirut, at the Honor Flight visit to Washington, D.C., at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City and at Boys State.
SAL National Executive Committeeman J. Bruce Ruthven introduced the incoming National SAL Commander, J.R. Hall from Maryland
When he received a standing ovation, he quipped: “You shouldn’t be standing for me. We should be stand for you.”
CADET OF YEAR
Cadet of the Year: Cadet Capt. Isaac Deng (center)
Department JROTC Co-Advisor Jeffrey Cipolla introduced the Cadet of the Year – Cadet Capt. Isaac Deng from Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn. Isaac is in the Honor Society, active in student government and engaged in community service, Cipolla noted. He also plans to continue in ROTC in college.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Emily Brushafer (2nd from right)
Incoming Department Commander Timothy Collmer and 2022-23 Department Commander David R. Riley Sr. presented an American Legion achievement award to Special Olympics swimming champion Emily Brushafer for being the top fundraiser in the Rochester Polar Plunge benefitting Special Olympics.
When Emily stepped up to the podium, her words to Legionnaires were brief but heartfelt: “Thank you for your service.”
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Saturday, July 22, 2023
Tim Collmer Elected Commander of NYS American Legion
Newluy elected Department Commander Timothy Collmer addresses the 105th Convention, with outgoing Commander David Riley Sr. at right.
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., July 22, 2023 – U.S. Army veteran Timothy J. Collmer of Nunda, N.Y., is the new state commander of the American Legion. His election as Department of New York commander capped the 105th Annual Department Convention, held here July 20-22. During his one-year term, Collmer visits counties across the state to share the American Legion message of veteran advocacy and community involvement.
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3 New Legion Grants Aimed at Stemming Vet Suicide, Homelessness
David Riley Sr.
TARRYTOWN, N.Y., July 22, 2023 – The American Legion in New York State continued its effort to stem veteran suicide and homelessness by awarding $210,000 in grants to organizations helping veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or who are at risk of homelessness.
The grants were announced during the 105th Annual Convention of the American Legion Department of New York, held here July 20-22, 2023.
Outgoing Department Commander David R. Riley Sr. described the grants as follows:
— $100,000 to Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga for equine therapy for veterans suffering from PTSD.
— $75,000 to Trybe Ecotherapy of Rochester for nature-based clinical therapy sessions for veterans.
— $35,000 to Hicks Strong of Clifton Park for its National Military Mental Health and “Hug Mug” programs.
