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Thursday, November 09, 2023
Honor a Vet: Be the One
A message from Department Commander Timothy Collmer and The American Legion
Commander Tim Comller
“To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving the peace.”
You know who said that? None other than George Washington.
That’s a sentiment that most military veterans bear, whether they knew it was voiced by a founder of our country.
But it’s more than just a sentiment, or a good soundbite. Veterans take an oath to put their lives on the line to protect our country and its freedoms.
That’s why most Americans profess to love our veterans, especially on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
It is important to remember that veterans are defending us 365 days a year. The heroism that has been demonstrated time and again by veterans from the American Revolution to the Global War on Terrorism is sometimes unnoticed by many who enjoy the security that their sacrifice has provided.
Not all veterans have seen combat, but all have at one time made the solemn promise to sacrifice their lives if called upon.
For many veterans, our nation was important enough to endure long separations from their families, miss the births of their children, freeze in sub-zero temperatures, roast in faraway deserts, lose limbs, and, far too often, lose their lives.
Their families serve and sacrifice as well.
Veterans and their families need advocates, and that is why The American Legion exists. We are here to serve veterans, their families and our communities. Veterans need each other, but, more importantly, our country and our communities need them.
In times of peace and in times of war, our veterans have exemplified the values of honor, courage and commitment. They have displayed unwavering dedication to their fellow servicemembers, their brothers- and sisters-in-arms.
But Veterans Day is not just a day of celebration and remembrance. It is a day of action. It is a day when we must recommit ourselves to the well-being of veterans and their families.
And while the American Legion advocates for healthcare, education and employment opportunities for those who have served and sacrificed, we must keep in mind that more than 6,000 veterans a year take their own lives.
Our action then is clear. We should all commit to “Be the One” to save one. The 9-8-8 crisis line is available to assist anyone who is contemplating suicide.
On this Veterans Day, help your troubled brother-or-sister-in-arms.
Be the One.
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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.
