Latest News
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Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Department Bowling Tournament Canceled
MALONE — The 71st Annual New York State American Legion Family Bowling Tournament has beeen canceled due to the coronavirus state of emergency.
The tournament had been scheduled to take place over four weekends in April and May, 2020, and was being hosted by American Legion Post 219 of Malone.
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Friday, March 13, 2020
Legion Closes Offices in Albany, Buffalo and New York City Due to Coronavirus Spread in State
Legionnaires,
Due to the increasing severity of the coronavirus in New York State, I have ordered the offices in Albany, Buffalo and New York City to close and reopen on March 23rd.
Our employees are the most dedicated group of individuals I have ever had the pleasure to work with and their health and safety is always upmost in my mind.
If you need to contact me please email me at Jim@nylegion.org as I will be working from home. We will be having the Albany office thoroughly cleaned while we are out and plan to be back at work on the 23rd.
“ Pro Deo et Patria “
James W. Casey
Adjutant
Department of New York -
Legion Restricts Oratorical Contest Access, Closes Office to Visitors
Legionnaires,
With an abundance of caution, I have altered the Oratorical contest format. The contest dinner attendance on Friday night (March 13) has been reduced from 65 attendees to 35 and the breakfast guests on Saturday morning (March 14) has also been reduced.
The contest on Saturday will be restricted to the contestants, their families, judges and a small contingent of contest assistants; no Legionnaires or guests will be permitted.
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NY Legion Family Visits Capitol Hill in D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A delegation of Legion Family members from New York, led by Department Commander Mike McDermott, participated in The American Legion’s Washington Conference March 8-11.
Department Auxiliary President Linda Tome and Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Detachment Commander Dennis George were part of the delegation.
Commander McDermott took time to place a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, then laid at wreath at the Korean War Monument with Detachment Commander George. The SAL commander also laid a wreath with the NY delegation at the World War II Monument in honor of his father.
Delegation members made a point of bringing the Legion’s legislative priorities to their Congressional representatives in visits to their offices.
On the last day of the conference, National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford presented a three-step mission to lawmakers during a joint session of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.

A contingent of NY members visit the Washington office of Congressman Tom Reed (R, NY-23). Among them are Department President Linda Tome (4th from left), Past Department Commander Rena Nessler (next to Congressman Reed), and Past Detachment Commander James Coates (right).

Legionnaire Robert Neville visits with Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), along with Vada Kirsch, a former Girl’s Stater and winner of the Samsung Scholarship.
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Monday, March 02, 2020
Legion Family Homecoming Celebration Is May 15-16
The American Legion Family Homecoming Celebration takes place May 15 and 16 at Vernon Downs Casino Hotel in honor of Department Commander Michael McDermott, Department President Linda Tome and Detachment Commander Dennis George.
Friday features a “Night at the Races” with a buffet dinner.
Saturday is the celebration dinner.
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Thursday, February 27, 2020
Treating PTS Is a Top Legislative Priority
ALBANY — Advocating for alternative therapies to treat post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury remains a top legislative priority for The American Legion Department of New York.
That message was conveyed to state legislators and senators during the Legion’s Legislative Hill Day, held Feb. 25. Leading the annual Hill Day were Department Commander Michael McDermott, Department Adjutant James Casey and Department Legislative Chair Dorothy Button.
