Fang Wong Introduces Mitt Romney at Convention

Fang Wong welcomes Mitt Romney. Photos by Doug Malin

Outgoing National Commander Fang Wong of New York got to introduce Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney to the 94th American Legion Convention in Indianapolis Aug. 29.

Then, following Romney's 20-minute talk in which he pledged to make sure both veterans and the military are taken care of under his watch, Wong introduced him to Legion leaders around the stage.
.

National Parade Boasts Large NY Contingent

INDIANAPOLIS -- The parade that helped kick off the national American Legion Convention here Aug. 26 featured a large contingent from New York. Department Commander Tim Van Patten led the contingent, which included a swarm of Legionnaires and Legion Family members (Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion), color guards, a marching band, and even National Commander Fang Wong and his wife.

NY Legionnaire Reacts to Romney Talk in Indy Star

After Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney left the American Legion Convention Aug. 29 to a standing ovation, Bronx, NY  Legionnaire Sean Mannion told the Indianapolis Star: “I thought he was fantastic.”

Rare National Honor for NY's Pedro

Richard Pedro dons national commander's cap.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Richard M. Pedro, adjutant of the Department of New York, has become only the 11th person in the history of the 93-year-old American Legion to be named “Past National Commander of The American Legion,” without actually serving a term as national commander.

Pedro joins legendary New Yorkers Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., and longtime U.S. Rep. Hamilton Fish in receiving the rare honor.

Delegates at the organization’s 94th annual national convention on Aug. 28 unanimously passed Resolution 1, which officially bestowed the office upon New York's adjutant.

Legacy Run 'Sense of Accomplishment'

Sam Reeder

By Steve B. Brooks

American Legion Multi-Media Editor

SANBORN, NY -- Department of New York Commander Tim Van Patten joined National Commander Fang Wong and Legionnaires from across the country for the American Legion Riders Legacy Run pre-run rally on Aug. 20 -- where Sam Reeder, director of Post 1451's American Legion Riders chapter in Sanborn, watched seven months of work come together.

Legionnaire Debuts Hand-Crafted Guitar

Jim George with hand-crafted guitar.

By Bob Stronach

UTICA -- The sound of an electric guitar pierced Utica Post 229 at a recent karaoke night. It wasn't a recording. Vice Commander Jim George was debuting a guitar he had spent over a year hand-crafting. He performed a number of rock and soft rock songs as people sang along.

Jim was pleased with the sound: "It screams when it's turned on."

Tournament Reached Beyond Baseball

 The recent New York Legion Baseball Championship held in Utica reached beyond baseball, according to tournament committee member Tony Camardo.

"The event started with 11 players spending time with veterans who reside at St. Luke’s Home," Camardo wrote in an op-ed piece appearing in the Aug. 18th Utica Observer-Dispatch.

"Then it shifted to the field, where it was all about baseball and veterans. 

Legion Riders' Legacy Run Starts in Niagara Falls

By national PR staff

Hundreds of motorcyclists will take the concept of “veterans helping veterans” to a new level Aug. 21 when The American Legion Riders kick off the seventh annual American Legion Legacy Run in Niagara Falls to raise money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship program.

Led by National Commander (and past New York Commander) Fang A. Wong, the riders will travel 750 miles to make possible a college education for the children of those who have died defending our freedoms since September 11, 2001.

Our Pillars, Your Platform

A resource guide for Legion Family members, outlining "our positions in relation to the 4 Pillars" of the American Legion, is now available on legion.org, announced National Legislative Chair Kenneth Governor, who is also New York Department PR chair.

Called "Our Pillars, Your Platform," "the guide is a valuable tool for voters, candidates and anyone who wants to know where we stand on the important issues of the day," he said.

NY Champs Take Opener, Then Drop 2

New York's baseball champs, the Saratoga Stempede, rode over the Vermont champions, 3-0, in Thursday's opening game of the Legion's Northest Regional Tournament in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

But then they fell to Maine on Friday, 10-1, and lost to New Hampshire on Saturday, 3-2.

The tournament continues Sunday and Monday, Aug. 12 and 13.

Saratoga Stampede Grabs State Championship

UTICA -- Saratoga Stampede is the best Legion baseball team in New York State. 

The team scored a total of 23 runs on 22 hits in two games to win the American Legion Baseball State Championship on Aug. 5 at Murnane Field.

State Tourney Players Visit Nursing Home Vets

UTICA -- Players competing in the New York State American Legion Baseball Championship Tournament (July 31-Aug. 5) took time to visit nursing home veterans.

Before heading out to the diamond, the players joined residents at St. Luke's Home in an ice cream social on July 31, WKTV News Channel 2 reported.