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  • Friday, September 16, 2022

    There’s a Reason for Our POW/MIA Empty Chair

    POWMIA flag
    By David R. Riley, Sr.

    Department Commander  

    A POW/MIA empty chair is present at all official meetings of The American Legion.

    It’s a physical symbol of the thousands and thousands of servicemembers unaccounted for.

    It’s a physical symbol of The America Legion’s commitment to achieving a full accounting of all U.S. servicemembers from all war eras who are either imprisoned or listed as missing in action.

    And it’s why the American Legion Family observes National POW/MIA Recognition Day on the third Friday of September. read more »

  • Friday, September 02, 2022

    Suicide Prevention Is Jim Troiola’s Top Priority

    Jim Troiola

    By Steven B. Brooks | The American Legion

    As the new national commander, New York Legionnaire Jim Troiola will make suicide prevention his top priority. Elected during the Legion’s 103rd National Convention in Milwaukee on Sept. 1, Troiola said his “platform and No. 1 priority” will be tackling the “toughest challenge facing veterans” — veteran suicide.

    “The American Legion is asking you to ‘Be the One’. And by you, I include every one of us, military and civilian alike. We all need to ‘Be the One’ to begin thinking, talking and acting to save just one life.”

    read more »

  • Thursday, July 28, 2022

    Eilene Fisher Is the ‘John B. Sampson Service Officer of the Year’

    1VickiSampson EileneFisher FrankLaMarsh 9494 885x460 1

    Eilene Fisher received the John B. Sampson Service Officer of the Year Award from Vicki Sampson (left) and 2021-2022 Department Commander Frank LaMarsh.

    Eilene Fisher, director of the Schoharie County Veterans Service Agency, received dual honors at the New York State American Legion Convention held July 14-16 in Binghamton.

    She received the Meritorious Service Award and then became the first recipient of the newly named John B. Sampson Service Officer of the Year Award.

    read more »

  • First Responders Honored at Department Convention

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    EMT Robert Sparks , 911 Dispatcher Susie Barnaby, Firefighter Norris Whitmore, Deputy Michael Wade.

    by Cynthia A. Nekson

    During its 104th Annual Convention held in Binghamton, The American Legion Department of New York honored outstanding first responders. They included EMT of the Year, Firefighter of the Year, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, and 911 Dispatcher of the Year.

    Law and Order Chair David R. Riley Sr. (whose election as Department Commander concluded the convention) announced the Law and Order honorees and 2021-2022 Department Commander Frank LaMarsh presented the plaques.

    read more »

  • Gabe Mui Is Legionnaire of the Year

    All ten districts submitted their Legionnaires of the Year for consideration, with First District’s Gabe Mui being selected as Department Legionnaire of the Year, Chairman Joseph Goonan announced at the 104th Annual Convention in Binghamton in July.
    read more »

  • Friday, July 22, 2022

    Sweepstakes Winners at 104th Convention

    Here are the Sweepstakes donation winners announced at the 104th Department of New York Convention:

    $500 Winners
    William S Park of Rome, NY
    Joseph I Mann of Pittsford, NY
    Milton Munson of Clearwater, Fl.
    Edward Jackson of Clinton, NY

    $1000 Winner
    Giles Wagoner of Selkirk, NY

    $2500 Winner
    Richard E Edgar of Redwood, NY

    Grand Prize $5,000
    James H Klick of Lima, NY