Why The Legion Matters

Why The Legionnaire Matters

Legionnaire David N. Cockerel with Sgt. Chavez and John Marceda

John Marceda is founder and proprietor of ‘T.J. Patrick’s’ a Sports Pub at 1762 Broadway in Hewlett, New York.  John has made his establishment available to Veterans Groups, to the Police for Law Enforcement functions and Motorcycle Clubs.

Some good folks along with a Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club went on a toy drive being motivated by the ‘esprit de corps’ of Marine Corps functions held at T.J. Patrick’s.

 

The Police Officer’s who had volunteered to take the toys to the Marines are grieving.  With the assassination of our brothers in blue, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu the Police Officers could not be available to get the toys to the Marines for Christmas.

John called the one Lebanon & Grenada era Marine he knew for help.  That Marine (David Cockerel, yours truly) contacted his lean green highly motivated Marine brethren.  

A few days earlier on December 17^th 2014, David Cockerel spoke with the executive Officer of Marine Corps District One, Lt. Col. Maxx Godsey at the Freeport High School NJROTC inspection, who mentioned Toys for Tots.

Sgt. Chavez, assigned to Administration at MCD One said, “Dave, have the toys ready to go at 13:00 hrs (Monday).  Marines received so many last minute calls Sgt. Chavez didn’t get to T.J. Patricks until 15:30 hrs.  Sgt Chavez gladly received the ‘Toys for Tots’ on behalf of Marine Corps District One.

John Marceda said, “If it weren’t for you Legionnaires and VFW guys we wouldn’t have been able to get this done in time…thank God for the Marines.”

I asked Commander Richardson to represent the Post when the Marines came for the toys.  The Commander consented.

I encourage Legionnaires all to support the community and ‘stand in the gap’ when a need arises.

Go to http://toysfortots.org/default.aspx there is still time to donate.

Merry Christmas 

Legion Post 342 Report for December 2014

We must report and observe the passing of Ray Washecka who was the oldest member of our post and a Veteran of WWII.

Raymond Washecka was a member of the American Legion Post 342.  ‘Ray’ is remembered by Past Commander Steve Nicolino as a strong and outstanding family man who was devoted to his Church and his Family.  Raymond at the time of his death was the oldest living Legionnaire from the Freeport American Legion and one of the oldest living Legionnaires in the United States. Ray was 98.

"So Long Comrade"

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Rear Admiral Floyd "Hoss" Miller, Past President of

SUNY Maritime College and Lt. Col. Maxx Godsey,

Executive Officer, Marine Corps District One

Freeport High School NROTC AREA MANAGER'S INSPECTION & Battalion Parade  

The event took place in the Freeport High School Gym on Wednesday, 17 December 2014. 

Major Donald Moore, USMC and the NJROTC Cadets were impressive as the class of Cadets performed precision drill and a stirring pass and review of Colors.

The inspection was held by the Executive Officer of Marine Corps District One, Lt. Col. Maxx Godsey.  Lt. Col. Godsey was Adjutant of III MEF & served with the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Also in attendance was RADM Floyd Miller, USN (Ret.)who took the Salute of the Cadets in the Parade.

Freeport High School NJROTC is under the supervision of the Freeport High School Department of Naval Science is commanded by Major Donald R. Moore, USMC (RET.) SNSI & Chief Timothy McShan, USN (Ret.) NSI.

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Battle of the Bulge Observance at the Museum of American Armor took place on Sunday, 14 December 2014.

On Sunday, December 14, at 2:00 p.m., military veterans who withstood the savage World War II German 
counteroffensive known as the Battle of Bulge some 70 years ago this month were honored at the Museum of American Armor, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage Village Restoration, surrounded by the tanks and armored cars similar to those that defended the G.I’s during the surprise attack.

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Pearl  Harbor  Remembrance  

&  Veterans  Observance  Ceremony 

The Pearl Harbor Remembrance & Observance Ceremony took place in the Memorial Room at the Freeport Memorial Library.  Ken Bellafiore, Director of the Freeport Libary was the Master Of Ceremonies, giving a heartfelt welcome to all in attendance and introducing the speaker, Andrew Hardwick, Former Mayor of Freeport.

The conservative gathering of Legionnaires and observers were treated to an impassioned and enlightening oratory on the 'effects' (the changes in man, woman and community) of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the 'affect' (the difference or result of the changes) it had in the immediate past to the present time.

The conclusion of the Oratory was that Americans living in America have lost sight of the lessons taught by history and wrought by blood, suffering and sacrifice.  Each Legionnaire in attendance left with a renewed sense of dedication to perpetuate Americanism in their local schools and community.

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The William Clinton Story Post No. 342 Christmas party was held at Otto’s on Wednesday night, December 17^th at 7:00 pm.  

Though the spirit of the event was tested but not marred by ill-tempered individuals, the good fellowship and Holiday joy enjoyed by all was a testimony to the powerful comradeship of the Post and the goodwill we share with our community and each other.

We thank Mayor Kennedy for joining us in the merry making and for his comments and his continued support of this Post.

We thank Division Vice Commander Robbins for his fellowship with us at the party and his gracious remarks.  We also want to thank State Senator-Elect Michael Venditto for celebrating with us and assuring the Legion of his support on issues that will effect Veterans of all era’s.  

We also thank Assemblyman Brian Curran for his work in the State Assembly on behalf of the Western South Shore Communities and the Village of Freeport. 

Assemblyman Curran said that he opposes the sale of the Freeport Armory to the Cedarmore Corporation and will encourage the Governor to again Veto the legislation.  

The Commander would like to remind Legionnaires to pay their dues before the end of the year.

Commander Coy Richardson and his wife Pat thank all Legionnaires for coming out for an evening of fun and fellowship and wishes all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Happy New Year.

  

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The events of December are on the Video Below.  There will be more pictures and other information on this web site in another area.

Enjoy

Events & Notices for the 2014 Holiday Season

Freeport High School JROTC

Join the Freeport High School 

and the  Freeport JROTC 

under the Command of
Major Donald Moore, USMC,

as they stand Inspection at Freeport High School on Wednesday, December 17^th at 10:30 AM.
Parade starts at 11:00.   

Major Donald Moore, USMC

Freeport High School

JROTC

The Inspection is being held by the Department of the Navy. 

Citizens, Veterans of all Branches, Members of the VFW, Marine Corps League, and the American Legion are encouraged to attend.

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American  Legion William Clinton Story Post 342

Christmas Party  at

Otto’s Sea Grill



Located at 

271 Woodcleft Avenue
Freeport, NY 11520

(516) 321-0633

Festivities will begin on Wednesday, December  17^th at  7:00 PM 

Legionnaires $30.  Guests $35.

The Menu

1^st Course: Penn Ala Vodka

2^nd Course: Soup or Salad

Entrees (your Choice)

Baked Salmon, Chicken Francaise,

Penne Pomodoro with Chicken,

Sliced Skirt Steak with a Mushroom Gravy

Roasted Potato, Green Beans and Carrots

Coffee or Tea

Desert
Apple Pie ala mode ala mode or Blueberry Pie ala mode

Please RSVP by Contacting 

Commander Richardson 

Cash bar!

Contact Ben Kissling for details.

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William Clinton Story Post 342 will host the Pearl Harbor Remembrance and V

eterans Observance Ceremony on December 19th, 2014 at the 

         Freeport Memorial Library

144 West Merrick Rd., Freeport New York 11520

2^nd Floor, Room 1 

starting at 7:00 PM.

Legionnaires will join with the

community in observing the sacrifice and legacy of this historic event.

All Are Welcome to attend.

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On Sunday

14 December 2014, an Observance of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge with Vintage WWII Vehicles and Reinactors in Uniforms of that era will put on a program sponsored by the Museum of American Armor (Bethpage, NY) Nassau County and County Executive Ed Mangano.

Some half a dozen veterans of the battle will be joined by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and Assemblyman Charles Lavine as well as those recently returned from deployment.

What: In tribute to the 19,000 Americans who fell during the Battle of the Bulge and the 70,000 injured, veterans who survived the Battle of the Bulge to be honored.

Who: Battle of the Bulge defenders joined by elected officials and clergy, living historians and period armor

When: Sunday, December 14, at 2:00 p.m.

Where: Museum of American Armor, Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage. (From Museum of American Armor Press Release)

From Museum of American Armor Press Release

Bring your family members especially WWII and Korean War Veterans.  This is a unique opportunity to honor Veterans of that era and see history you can touch.

For information call (516) 571-6000

Post 342 American Legion Veterans Day Program

Freeport American Legion Veterans Day Program
November 11, 2014 @ 10:00 AM

This Veterans Day the Freeport American Legion will honor all Veterans with a program that will include Singing performances from Freeport's Atkinson School Chorus led by Stephanie Arnell.

There will also be a Video Presentation for Veterans produced for the American Legion for this event. 

Major Donald R. Moore, USMC (Ret.)
Commander of the Freeport High School JROTC will be our guest speaker.

Veterans Day is the time we celebrate with the Veterans among us the freedoms we take for granted day by day, among these freedoms are;.......

the right to Assemble, the right to petition your government, the freedom of the press, the right to have possessions and home to keep them in, and you have the right to possess and bear arms.  

Veterans Day is the day we also observe those no longer with us, brothers who slogged through the ranks with us or sisters who had their aircraft shot out of combatant skies or were killed providing medical attention in overgrown forested regions or frozen lands.

When you Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America you are not worshiping a country. You keep faith with every farm boy from Iowa, every city kid from Brooklyn, every girl from North Carolina, every Old Man who's head turned grey serving his nation and every woman who sent a son off to war.  You pledge allegiance to every American soul who lifted a hand or fired a weapon to save someone else on this planet from fear, torture and tyranny.  

Celebrate with the William Clinton Story Post No. 342 of the American Legion as we recognize in an observance of Americanism the Veterans of the United States of America.

footnotes:
http://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/bill-of-rights/
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html
http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp
http://www.army.mil/
http://www.navy.mil/
http://www.af.mil/
http://www.marines.mil/

Stealing the Armory / Intrigue, Duplicity and Quid Pro Quo

Political Quid Pro Quo and the Unrepresented….. Another grab for the  Freeport Armory.

When Governor Cuomo vetoed the last Armory Bill (AB 508 now re-labeled A8821A) it was pretty clear that there was enough outrage and lack of common sense regarding selling the Armory to a Not –for-Profit Organization at the expense of the Freeport Community having a logistical post for the Department of Public Works was at best, unproductive and at worst misappropriation of Government Property. 

Most Citizens figured that this would be resolved for the benefit of the community like it was in Rome, NY, those Citizens got their Armory.

But the answer that the Citizens of Freeport received was resounding silence as Bill A8821A sailed through the Assembly and the Senate.  Earlene Hooper promised County Supervisor Ed Mangano to sponsor a bill to give state approval for the county executive's plan to change Nassau’s property-tax reimbursement system. 

Mangano, along with Senator Dean Skelos (9^th Senate District) backed the transfer of the Armory to the Cedarmore Corp., a nonprofit that shares space with Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ, across the street from the former National Guard facility for $1.  And Skelos had a quiet (unpublicized) meeting with the Governor about two weeks ago (second week of July).  The Governor wants to solidify his voting block and Senator Skelos wants benefits for his voting district.

Is a promise for the Governor’s support the price Skelos got for betraying the Citizens of Freeport?   Below is a letter that was approved by American Legion Post 342 with absolute unanimity.    Please read this letter and support the Mayor of Freeport, the Citizens of Freeport and the American Legion in opposing this second attempt at stealing this Armory.

We ask you, Legionnaires, Veterans, Community Groups and Citizens all to get behind this letter to Governor Cuomo again asking to Veto this Bill!   Please put your name in the 'comments' section so we can again send this to the Governor.  Assemblywoman Hooper is supposed to represent the best interest of all the Citizens in her District, not just a few.

Thank You For Your Support!

July Newsletter

Due to a printing error the July issue of the dugout will be late. 

Updates & photos from the memorial day parade from members and fellow citizens would be welcome so we can post them.