American Legion officials visit Allegany County

NYS American Legion Commander Michael McDermott is welcomed to Wellsville by Morrison Hayes Post 702 Command Brent Roberts at Tuesday night’s Testimonial Dinner

The Commander of the American Legion of NY Department Michael H. McDermott, of Homer, was the guest of honor at a Testimonial Dinner held Tuesday evening at the Wellsville Morrison Hayes Post 702 and earlier in the day at Belmont’s Herbert DeLong Post 808.
The reason behind the visit, was to introduce McDermott and his theme and goals to the members of the 842 posts across the state. He was joined by officials of the Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and Legion Riders to all 62 counties in the state.
Standing before a crowd of a little over 100 people he said, “Allegany County is a fitting end to our tour across the state. This post (Morrison Hayes Post 702) is the epitome of posts and they serve the best prime rib in the state,” which garnered an appreciative laugh from the audience.
A veteran of the Navy, McDermott said that he is “Anchors Aweigh and Full Speed Ahead for his quest to recruit younger vets to the organization. He advised modernizing posts and programs with wifi, computers, popular music, corn hole tournaments and family friendly activities.

At right, the county Commander of the Sons of the American Legion, Tex Kane of Andover offers support and gifts to Bob Wallace, state director of the Legion Riders at Tuesday’s testimonial dinner, in Wellsville, honoring the state leaders of the American Legion.

Accompanying McDermott on the tour was state Auxiliary President Linda Tome, of Palmyra. She urged auxilians to “help be a solution” for the high rate of suicide among veterans, and to reach out to veterans who seem troubled or isolated. She also noted that the 38,000 auxiliary members across the state have given 7 million volunteer hours to help service veterans and their families over the last year and have raised $6.1 million to help veterans and their families.
Dennis George, state commander for the Sons of the American Legion said the focus of his term is on membership, accountability, support of American Legion programs and increased communications.
Bob Wallace, state director of the Legion Riders who presented a certificate of appreciation to the local Legion Riders recognizing their outstanding service to the organization, the Legion and the community.
As part of the Testimonial Dinner, representatives of several individual local posts contributed a total of $2,200 to support the programs sponsored by McDermott, Tome, George and Wallace, and presented gifts to the state officials