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| 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.
“I am absolutely floored,” Pedro said after being sworn
in as a past national commander by the current Legion National Commander Fang
A. Wong, also of New York. “The American Legion is a great organization; I am
honored and proud to be a part of it.”
Pedro, a native of Owego, N.Y., became a member of American
Legion Post 401 in Tioga, N.Y., 67 years ago after serving in the U.S. Navy.
While presenting Pedro a plaque commemorating the honor,
North Carolina Nationl Executive Committee member Jerry Hedrick said, “These
plaques are usually given to men who are about to do great things, but you have
already done great things, a lifetime full of great things for your fellow
veterans, your country and The American Legion. We know that you will continue
to serve The American Legion and all of us will continue to be far better
because of it.”
Photo: National Legislative Commission Chair Ken Governor of New York and Past National Commander Jake Comer of Massachusetts congratulate Richard Pedro.
photos by Doug Malin
