NY Legion Commander Has Pet Peeve

New York Department leaders are making visitations around the state, sharing their vision and passion with local Legion Family members. Here's an example of such a visit -- to the 5th District's Oneida County.

Cmdr. Tim Van Patten

NEW HARTFORD -- New York Department Commander Timothy S. Van Patten has a pet peeve -- people who don't have the right perception of the Legion.

"Every once in a while someone will say, 'Do you guys do anything but sit around the bar telling war stories?'"

During a visit to Oneida County Sept. 29, Van Patten told a packed banquet hall at New Hartford Post 1376 what he says to such a question.

Buffalo's McKeever Post Donates Van to VA

Officers and members of David McKeever Post 64 in South Buffalo presented the keys to a new van to the VA Western New York Healthcare System in a ceremony this week at the Buffalo VA Medical Center.

The van will be used by the Disabled American Veterans Volunteer Transportation Network, which drives veterans to and from VA medical facilities.

Mineola Post Inducts First Woman Veteran

Yuri Karaz and Carl Marchese

MINEOLA -- Word got around that Yuri Karasz was a veteran, so when Carl Marchese met her, he made a deal: If he became commander of Mineola American Legion Post 349, she would become the first female member in the post's 90-year history, reports MineolaPatch.com.

He did, and she did, being formally inducted in an August ceremony at the village hall. State Sen. Jack M. Martins and local VFW Commander Manny Grilo were there to congratulate Karaz, a former army captain and West Point graduate.

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.
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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.