Press Association to Honor Legion Family Editors

The New York American Legion Press Association (NYALPA) will honor Legion Family editors and other communicators during its annual awards luncheon July 19 at the New York Department Convention in Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls Hosts Department Convention in July

The New York Department will hold its 95th Annual Convention in Niagara Falls July 18-20. Formal sessions, voting, speeches and reports all take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. A convention parade featuring bands and marching units from around the state steps off at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

'Taps' a National Song, Thanks to Legionnaire

Les Hampton

BATH, NY — Les Hampton, a member of John P. Eaton Post 746 in Corning, was honored May 1 for his years of work that helped the bugle song “Taps” be designated as a National Song of Remembrance, both the Corning Leader and Elmira Star Gazette reported.

U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, presented Hampton with a copy of the federal legislation that named “Taps” a song of remembrance during a ceremony at Charles E. Wescott American Legion Post 173 in Bath.

LeRoy Post Honors WWII Veterans

Botts-Fiorito Post 576 in LeRoy hosted a ceremony honoring World War II veterans on April 21. Some 23 WWII vets were in attendance, The Batavian reported. NY Department Commander Timothy S. Van Patten was on hand, along with 8th District Vice Commander John Lang and other distinguished guests, including Congressman Christopher Collins.

Koutz Talks of Helping Vets and Wounded Warriors

James Koutz

The political impact of The American Legion. Practical public relations for growing membership. And giving 100 percent to wounded warriors.

Those were the topics that National Commander James Koutz focused on during his swing through New York State April 10-12. He visited Central New York, the Capital Region and finally New York City.

Erie Co. Legion to Send Kids of Deployed to Camp

EDEN, N.Y. - The Erie County American Legion Family is raising money to send children of deployed service men and women to camp for a week, reported Buffalo TV station WIVB Channel 4.

National Commander to Visit Central New York

James Koutz

HOLLAND PATENT, NY -- American Legion National Commander James Koutz will meet with Central New York veterans on Wednesday, April 10, during a visit to the New York Legion's 5th District.

He will visit Leon R. Roberts Post 161 in Holland Patent, where he will join veterans for lunch and be available to speak to news media. In the evening, Koutz will attend a banquet in his honor at the Beeches Inn and Conference Center in Rome.  During the day he will also tour the Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS) at Griffiss Airpark in Rome.