Jim Best of Greenport served in New York’s Air National Guard in 1983 and ’84, then served on active duty in the Air Force until 1987.
About 22 years ago, he tried to join the American Legion. But rather than become a member, he had to settle for volunteering. READ
Andrea Ochoa will have her work permanently displayed at the American Legion in Southold.
A sophomore at Greenport high school, she is the winner of a mural contest and will be painting her design on the wall behind the commander’s desk in a framed space measuring 7 feet, 10 inches by 9 feet, 4 inches. READ
Recent renovations of the commander’s office at the American Legion in Southold are almost complete. The room is awaiting just one finishing touch: a mural created by local high school students. READ
The Greenport American Legion hit a fundraising snag after donations made through Facebook had to be returned after the organization had been approved for the campaign.
Tuesday’s Flag Day installation dinner at American Legion Griswold Terry Glover Post 803 in Southold was a night of celebration. Honorees included new post commander Charles Sanders along with three 50-year members and three student scholarship winners. Past commanders were also recognized and new officers were officially sworn in.
Master Sgt. LeRoy Heyliger salutes a wreath placed at the Mattituck war memorial on Memorial Day. Mr. Heyliger, a former member of Mattituck Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 11117, said he and other members were encouraged to join the Southold American Legion when the the Mattituck VFW post folded two years ago. He said he didn’t know why they weren’t encouraged to join the Mattituck Legion. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)
Members of Mattituck American Legion Post No. 861 no longer march in parades. Their numbers have gotten so low that they don’t meet in person anymore either.
“We used to have a meeting the first Tuesday of every month, but since there’s so few members coming out, we’ve pretty much resorted to meetings through phone calls,” said Paul Majeski, the Legion post’s commander. (more…)
Southold freshmen and faculty members planted dozens of American flags outside the high school for Veterans Day. (Credit: Cyndi Murray)
There are several ceremonies scheduled for Tuesday in recognition of Veterans Day on the North Fork. There’s also a “Veterans Day Dinner” event that’s running from noon to 9 p.m. today, Monday, in Greenport.
See below for a complete list of events.
George Sullivan on his front porch in Southold Tuesday morning. (Credit: Claire Leaden)
George Sullivan of Southold is a veteran who served in the Vietnam War and was awarded the country’s second-highest military decoration for valor, the Navy Cross, when he retired from the U.S. Marine Corps at 23 years old. (more…)
CYNDI MURRAY PHOTO | Richard Clark helped paint the exterior wall at the American Legion Hall in Greenport Saturday.
American Legion Halls across the country will hold Memorial Day celebrations next weekend to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. armed services. Meanwhile, at the Greenport American Legion Hall, a faithful group of volunteer veterans and community members will be working to restore the ailing structure and its vintage roller rink.
The building’s revitalization began two years ago, but suffered a major setback in December when George Costello Sr., one of the project’s leaders, died unexpectedly at age 63.
In Mr. Costello’s memory, the Greenport Rotary Club hosted a fundraiser in April. The event raised hundreds for the reconstruction. The funding helped volunteers Saturday pay for the final coat of paint on the building’s recently rebuilt exterior south-facing wall.
“The rotary’s fundraiser helped a lot,” said Butch Corwin, vice commander of the legion hall. “Now with this done we can start working on the inside.”
The project is still in need of funding before it can open to public. The building will need new composite flooring, heating and air conditioning systems and a remodeled kitchen and bathrooms. Volunteers estimate the final cost of the reconstruction will be upwards of $600,000, but said they’re grateful for the community helping pave the way.
“We have help from so many people; it would take me pages to write them all down,” Mr. Corwin said.