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Thursday, July 17, 2025

‘Be the One’ on the mind of convention-goers

Members of the American Legion Family began converging on Syracuse Wednesday, July 16, for the 107^th Department Convention – and many came with “Be the One” suicide prevention campaign on the mind.

For example, Past Department Commander Frank Peters spotted a piano in the lobby of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown and began playing some chords, but couldn’t resist holding up a finger symbolizing “Be the One.” Frank is more comfortable on the guitar – he has one in every room of his house – but has been teaching himself how to play the piano.

A trio of Auxiliary members were in the lobby too and were quick to display their support for “Be the One.” The trio included Gwen Benners, past Tioga County president; Angela Collins, Tioga County president, and Angela’s daughter, Adelle, attending her first convention as a fourth generation member.

The effort to curb veteran suicide will continue to be a main push for The American Legion in the coming year, as Dan Wiley, leading candidate for national commander, reported during the opening session of the convention on Thursday.
Saturday, July 12, 2025

Erie County Youth Elected Boys’ State Governor

Boys State Governor David Brophy holds first bill that he signed after the mock legislature passed the legislation.

David Brophy, a student at Clarence High School, was elected governor of the 2025 session of New York American Legion’s Boys’ State, held June 30 to July 3 at SUNY Morrisville.

The annual Boys’ State immersed some 700 high school juniors in citizenship and leadership by having them run a mock government. The students represented imaginary cities and counties and ran campaigns for political office on the state level. With input from the “citizens”, those elected then passed legislation on various topics and issues. read more »
Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Check Out May’s Membership Impact Report

The May Impact Report is now available.
Thursday, May 22, 2025

NYS Expands Veterans Tuition Award

Effective July 1, 2025, both combat veterans and non-combat veterans (at least four years on active duty) will be eligible for the New York State Veterans Tuition Award.

Previously, only combat veterans could apply for the tuition assistance.

read more »
Thursday, May 15, 2025

Blood Drive at Department Convention

The American Legion Department of New York will host a blood drive during the Department Convention in July at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Commander’s Memorial Day Message

Our Heroes Are Sons and Daughters, Too

By Keith J. Koster
Department of New York Commander

Originally May 30th was Decoration Day and Congress changed the recognition to the last Monday of May and renamed this day to “Memorial Day”. American Legion Posts across New York will be holding recognition events, marching in parades, and preforming ceremonies. We take this obligation serious to remembering our fallen heroes and comrades. It is our solemn obligation to teach and educate our communities & youth that Memorial day is not a Day of Celebration. It is a day we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free. We also remember the Gold Star families and share in their grief. Many of us remember a family member or friend who has gone on to join Post everlasting. It is our duty as Legionnaires to honor those who have gone before us. We understand the sacrifices of those who went before us through the Chaple of the Four Chaplains, the memorials in our hometowns and hamlets.

This year I will be remembering and honoring two New Yorker’s and their families we had the privilege to meet in our travels. These two individuals are both Medal of Honor recipients — Micheal P. Murphy & Jason Dunham. Micheal Murphy was from Long Island and a United States Navy Seal. Micheal was killed June 28, 2005, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan during Operation Red Wings. Jason Dunham was a corporal in the United States Marine Corps from Scio, NY in Allegany County. He served with 3rd Battalion 7th Marines during the Iraq War. Durham used his helmet & body to cover a live grenade to save his fellow Marines. Dunham died eight days later on April 22,2004.

To us as Americans and Veterans these individual men are both heroes but to their parents, they were their sons. When we remember our fallen this Memorial Day, let us remember them as heroes but also sons and daughters that have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. While there may be no words we can offer the families, let our actions on Memorial show our respect for those we have lost.

Thank you for all you do to recognize our fallen heroes. God Bless you, God Bless America and may God watch over our Gold Star Families.

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