John Miga Leads Dept of NY for 2025-2026

Commander John R. Miga is from Dunkirk and holds honorary life membership with Dunkirk Memorial Post 62. He is also a Sons of the Legion member through his father, Michael, who served in the Army. John was drafted into the US Army in 1966, underwent basic and advanced infantry training at Fort Stewart, GA, and was deployed with the 2nd Armored Division in South Korea, where he participated in DMZ patrols. After completing a 13-month overseas tour, he was transferred to the 46th Medical Detachment at Fort Hood, TX, and was discharged in 1968.

David Riley Sr. Leads NYS Legion (2022-2023)

U.S. Air Force veteran David R. Riley Sr. of Rome is the new state commander of The American Legion. 

His election as Department of New York commander concluded the 104th Annual Department Convention, held July 14-16 in Binghamton. During his one-year term, Riley will visit counties all around the state to share The American Legion message of veteran advocacy and community involvement.

Riley is the third Oneida County resident to become state commander in the Legion’s 103-year history. (The others were Moses G. Hubbard of New Hartford, 1931-1932, and Ronald C. Bertrand of Lee Center, 1996-1997.

Frank LaMarsh Heads NYS Legion (2021-2022)

Vietnam veteran Frank A. LaMarsh of Staten Island is the commander of The American Legion Department of New York. His election and installation on July 31, 2021 capped the three-day Department Convention held at the Crowne Plaza Desmond Hotel, Albany.

 Enlisting in the U.S. Navy after high school, LaMarsh trained in construction and helped rebuild the Seabee base at Gulfport, Mississippi after it was destroyed by Hurricane Camille. He then deployed to DaNang and later Bien Hoa, Vietnam. He was discharged from active duty in February 1972 and received his honorable discharge in 1975 after serving three years in the reserves.

Mike McDermott Leads NY State Legion (2019-2021)

Mike McDermott of Homer is the first person from Cortland County to serve as New York State American Legion commander in the Legion’s 100-year history.

The Vietnam War veteran’s election capped the Department of New York Convention held in Buffalo July 18-20.

McDermott served in the U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1967, including a year in Vietnam where he worked in communication and intelligence with a Marine support battalion. On base he also served as a rifleman and assistant M60 machine gunner.

Iraq War Vet Leads NY State American Legion

Commander Schacher

Gary Schacher of Cobleskill (Schoharie County) is the first Iraq war veteran to become  commander of The American Legion Department of New York.

His election came just before the conclusion of the 100th Department Convention, held July 19-21 in Rochester.

“Never give up!” is his theme for his year. “We are 100 years strong and we are paving the way for the next 100 years to be the voice for veterans.”

Rena Nessler Makes American Legion History

SYRACUSE – U.S. Navy veteran Rena M. Nessler of Geneva made American Legion history Saturday, July 22, when she was elected the first woman commander of The American Legion Department of New York.

Her election concluded the 99th Department Convention at the Oncenter, which drew wartime veterans from across New York. The American Legion and its Department of New York were founded in 1919 at the end of World War I.

John Sampson Leads NY State Legion

John B. Sampson, a U.S. Navy veteran, is the 2016-2017 commander of the American Legion Department of New York.The Vietnam-era vet was elected to the position at the 98th Annual Department Convention, held July 14 to 16 in Binghamton.

He leads New York State American Legion, which consists of more than 113,000 members and some 900 posts spread throughout 62 counties. With the affiliated organizations of the Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion, the total jumps to nearly 200,000.

Vietnam Vet Is American Legion State Commander

James V. Yermas is the new commander of the New York State American Legion.

The election and swearing-in of Yermas and his officers to lead the Department of New York for the next year concluded the 97th state convention, held July 16-18 in Buffalo.

Long Island Youth Is Boys State Governor

Elias Mastakouris of Sea Cliff, NY, a student entering his senior year at North Shore High School in Glen Head, was elected governor of The American Legion's Boys State, held June 26 to July 2 at SUNY Morrisville.

Legionnaires Remember 4 Chaplains

A number of American Legion Posts around the state this month are commemorating the sacrifices of four World War II chaplains, who gave away their life jackets to save other soldiers aboard a torpedoed army transport ship.

For example, Richmond County Legion hosted its 72nd annual Four Chaplains Interfaith breakfast Sunday, Feb. 8.

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.