Greece Commander Honored for Helping Vets

ROCHESTER -- Ralph Presciutti, commander of Greece American Legion Post 468 near Rochester, has made it his mission to help veterans in need -- such as organizing the Wounded Warrior Concert.

The third annual July concert, held at his Legion Post, raised over $22,000 for New York Warrior Alliance, an upstate group that directly helps wounded warriors and their family care-givers.

Honor Trip Gets Send-Off from Corning Legion

CORNING -- Some 22 World War II and Korean War veterans gathered at John P. Eaton American Legion Post 746 here early Saturday morning (Sept. 27) before taking an honor trip to Washington, D.C., the Corning Leader reported.

Utica Hosts Legion Baseball Championship

UTICA – After three years of hosting the New York State American Legion Championship Series in Utica, the City of Utica has been awarded the honor of hosting the event through 2020. The 2014 tournament kicks off on July 29 with the arrival of the eight competing teams. Games begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, and will conclude with the championship game at noon on Sunday, Aug. 3. All games will be played at Donovan Stadium at Murnane Field in Utica.

Frank Peters Heads NY State Legion

Frank J. Peters of Staten Island is the new commander of the New York State American Legion.

His election capped the 96th Annual Convention of the American Legion’s Department of New York, held July 17-19 in Albany.

Alternative PTSD Treatment May Be Game-Changer

Kenneth Governor

ALBANY -- A therapy delivering 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber may be a “game-changer” for treating military veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). That’s the word from NY State American Legion Commander Kenneth Governor, who is calling on the Veterans Administration (VA) to “put aside any reluctance and bias toward looking at a better way to treat veterans” with PTSD and mTBI.

Boys State Elects Governor

MORRISVILLE — High school student Ryan Leone from Suffolk County is the 2014 governor of the New York American Legion Boys State.

Legion Charters First College Post at LIU

The American Legion in New York State has chartered a (first-ever) college post at Long Island University.

Department of New York Commander Kenneth Governor presented the charter and installed officers May 28 for Admiral Richard L. Conolly Post 2014 at Long Island University's Post College (LIU Post) in Brookville, NY.

Legion Helps Host Port Jobs for Vets May 28

Honorably discharged veterans are being given a rare opportunity to land a job with the Port of New York and New Jersey. On May 28, the Port Jobs for Veterans Job Fair will be held at the Maher Terminal Building in Elizabeth, N.J., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event specifically targets veterans who are looking for employment as electricians, managers, engineers, port authority police officers and many other employment fields.

Chili Legion Riders Host June Poker Run

The American Legion Riders in Chili, NY is hosting the Spokes for Spina Pifida Poker Run on Sunday, June 8, at Chili American Legion Post 1830, 450 Scottsville-Chili Road, Scottsville.

Post 626 to Host Traveling Wall, Tribute

Oakfield-Alabama (Hirum G. Luhman) American Legion Post 626, along with the Town of Pembroke, will be hosting the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall and the Cost of Freedom Tribute June 11-15 in the Pembroke Town Park.

VA Needs to Be 'Transparent, Accountable', National Commander Tells NY Members

Daniel Dellinger

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system needs to be more transparent and its leaders must be held accountable for mistakes that result in needless deaths at their facilities.
That was a key message that American Legion National Commander Daniel Dellinger brought to the New York Legion Family during a swing through the Empire State April 9-11.

NY Am Legion Urges School Tax Break for Vets

Ken Governor

ALBANY -- The New York State American Legion Family of more than 200,000 members is urging local municipalities and other governing bodies of school districts to approve a partial school tax exemption for veterans. Legislation signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo in December allows municipalities to adopt a local school tax abatement law "to show their appreciation for the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans," noted state American Legion Commander Kenneth Governor.

2 Women Spur Tuition Bill for Vets

Karyn Porempski &
Julie Kleszczewski

A number of states charge a small tuition to residents of the state attending a state college and a much higher tuition for out-of-state students. Because of their military moves, veterans often end up trying to better themselves by enrolling in a state school wherever they land -- and struggle with the higher out-of-state tuition rate. After hearing stories of such struggling veterans, two members of the Department of New York Auxiliary decided to do something about it.

Legion, Legislators Team Up for Hill Day

ALBANY -- While the American Legion is pushing for some 15 proposals for the State Legislature to enact, there are three core issues affecting veterans today -- jobs, homelessness and suicide, New York State American Legion Legislative Chair Joseph Barry told the Hill Day Legislative Breakfast March 18 at the Albany Hilton Hotel.

5 Finalists Compete in State Oratorical Contest

Andrew Hartnett

ALBANY -- Five high school students from around New York State competed Saturday (March 8) in the New York State American Legion Oratorical Contest at Sand Creek Middle School here, with Andrew R. Hartnett of Cobleskill-Richmondville High School grabbing the state title.

Commander Honors 4 in Western NY

Commander Ken Governor
honors J. Donald Griffin.

In a swing through western New York counties in the 8th District Feb. 27-March 2, Department Commander Kenneth Governor honored four Legionnaires with the Department Commander's Award of Excellence.

4 Legionnaires Receive Award of Excellence

Four 7th District Legionnaires were honored with the Department Commander's Award of Excellence when New York Legion leaders visited Seneca, Monroe, Wayne and Ontario counties Feb. 20-23.

Dobbs Ferry Rallies After Legion Hall Collapses

News media report expressions of community support for Dobbs Ferry American Legion Post 1048 after its building collapsed under the weight of heavy snow on Valentine's Day.

Legion Post, 2 Legionnaires Honored

An American Legion post and two Legionnaires received the Department Commander's Award of Excellence when New York State Legion Family leaders made a visitation swing through Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties Thursday to Sunday, Feb. 13-16.

Commander Honors 4 Legionnaires in 4 Counties

NY Commander Kenneth Governor presented the Department Commander's Award of Excellence to four Legionnaires in his visitation swing through the 7th District Feb. 6-9.

NY Legion Reacts to State of Union, Urges Action

ALBANY (Jan. 29, 2014) -- The American Legion is happy that President Barack Obama, in his fifth State of the Union address, pledged to reduce the disability claims backlog, improve access to health care at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) -- especially mental health care -- and continue to help veterans get jobs.

Cuomo Orders Flags at Half Staff for Pedro

Richard Pedro

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Thursday, January 16, 2014, in recognition of Richard M. Pedro and his lifelong dedication to serving Veterans. Mr. Pedro, who led The American Legion Department of New York as adjutant for nearly three decades, passed away in Owego on Jan. 10 at the age of 87.

Webster Legion Helps Visiting Military Wife

Webster Post 942

WEBSTER, N.Y. -- A military wife in need could be headed home this week, thanks to Cottreall-Warner American Legion Post 942 in Webster, WHAM TV 13 reported.

NY Legion Loses Acclaimed Leader

Richard Pedro

ALBANY -- The American Legion's Department of New York lost a nationally acclaimed leader Friday when World War II Navy veteran Richard M. Pedro of Owego, NY died fighting a final battle with illness. He was 87.

Mr. Pedro retired last July after serving at the helm of the Department of New York for nearly three decades as its adjutant, or executive director.

NY Legion Urges Repeal of Military Pension Cut

Kenneth Governor

ALBANY -- With lawmakers in Washington considering restoring the full cost-of-living allowance (COLA) for medically retired service men and women, "now is the time for New York's Congressional delegation to protect all military retirees here in the Empire State," New York State American Legion Commander Kenneth Governor said.