Syracuse American Legion

02/16/2025

Grasroots Newsletter 02/14/2025.

02/16/2025

SPAGHETTI DINNER CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER.

02/14/2025

Syracuse, NY - The Four Chaplains Ceremony, a significant annual event at many organizations, serves as a poignant reminder of the loss of life during the sinking of the U.S.A.T. Dorchester by a German Submarine on February 3rd, 1943. It also honors the inspiring and heroic actions of four Army Chaplains, men of different faiths, who united after the attack. They selflessly assisted the injured, guided others to safety, and when the lifejacket supply was depleted, sacrificed their own by giving them to sailors who did not have lifejackets, sealing their fates. Witnesses recall the Chaplains, arms entwined, praying and singing together as they went under the freezing waters with the ship.

At the County Meeting on February 13th, 2025, County Chaplain Alma Heidenreich led our own Four Chaplains ceremony. With the support of assisting Legionnaires, the story of the Four Chaplains was shared, complete with brief biographies of the four Chaplains intertwined with musical accompaniments.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Chaplain Heidenreich for her unwavering dedication in keeping this tradition alive. Her efforts ensure that the memories of sacrifice, bravery, and unity displayed by the Four Chaplains are not forgotten, and we are truly appreciative of her commitment.

A short biography of the Four Chaplains and the incident is available on our YouTube Channel.

02/14/2025

02/14/2025

THIS WEEKEND - Slide by if your in the area. All proceeds go towards Legion Baseball.

02/10/2025

%th District Meeting, Sunday, Fedbruary 6th, 2025 in Chadwicks, NY. American Legion Post 1000!
Photo courtesy of Jerry O.

02/08/2025

The Grassroots Newsletter seems to have returned. I don't think I received one since July of last year. Hopefully, it will continue.

02/07/2025

REMEMBER, ALL ARE WELCOME!

02/07/2025

Syracuse, NY – On February 5th, the Legion was contacted by Patriot Beth Newell, informing us of a damaged and worn American Flag being flown in front of 918 James St., in Syracuse, the Bishop Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Ms. Newell stated this had been the situation for “months,” and nothing has been done to fix the flag, even after notifying an Administrator.

Syracuse Post 41 members Robert Haumann and William Galvin responded to Bishop Nursing and confirmed the state of the American Flag being flown. We attempted to seek an audience with an Administrator, but none were available. We notified a very polite receptionist that we would take the damaged flag for respectful retirement at the Watchfire ceremony later this year as a service to their business. In addition, a new American Flag was procured by the Legion at our own cost and hoisted on February 7th, 2025. A pamphlet on the proper care and display of the U.S. Flag was left with the receptionist.

We want to thank retired SPD Officer Douglas Fox, an associate of HC Bainbridge (our go-to flag company) at 718 N. Salina St. in Syracuse, for his assistance in obtaining the replacement flag.

02/05/2025

Syracuse, NY - I don’t normally buy Booster Club Cards, because the places on there I don’t go to.

This one was different. Applebee’s to Funk’n Waffles (live music!). Card is only $25.00 with over twenty deals.

You can get a physical card through this website, just go to the 2025 Convention Menu and look for the merchandise tab or get a hold of us through the Contact Us page.

You can purchase a DIGITAL card at http://glasscardapp.com/mycard/americanlegionbaseball . Members also get “Members Only Pricing” to all Onondaga County American Legion Fundraisers and Concession Stand prices.

02/02/2025

LAST CHANCE to get in on the EXTENDED Christmas Cash Raffle. Drawing in a couple of days. Tickets still available, email Chuck Iavarone ([email protected]) or Bill Galvin ([email protected]) and we'll set you up. Credit or Debit cards will be taken. 100% PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS LEGION YOUTH BASEBALL.

01/31/2025

Four Chaplains ceremony to be held during the February 13th, 2025 County Meeting.

Deep in Legion lore, is the revered story of the Four Chaplains from World War II.

Monday, February 3rd, will mark the 82nd anniversary of the sinking of the United States Army Transport Dorchester and the selfless acts of four Army chaplains aboard. The Dorchester tragically sunk on Feb. 3, 1943, while crossing the North Atlantic, transporting troops to an American base in Greenland.

A German U-boat fired a torpedo that struck the Dorchester, killing 672 of the 902 officers and enlisted men, merchant seamen and civilian workers aboard. Many of those survivors owe their lives to the courage and leadership exhibited by four chaplains of different faiths, who, in sacrificing their lives, created a unique legacy of brotherhood.

As soldiers rushed to lifeboats, Reverend George Fox (Methodist), Jewish Rabbi Alexander Goode, Reverend Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed) and Father John Washington (Roman Catholic) comforted the wounded and directed others to safety. One survivor watched the chaplains distribute life jackets, and when they ran out, they removed theirs and gave them to four young men.

As the Dorchester sank, the chaplains were seen linked arm in arm, praying.

American Legion posts nationwide remember Four Chaplains Day with memorial services that pay tribute to the courageous chaplains and the brave young men who lost their lives on that fateful night.

Onondaga County holds the Four Chaplain’s Memorial Service during our February meeting, conducted by our County Chaplain, Alma J. Heidenreich.

01/27/2025

Past Commander of Eastwood American Post 1276.

View Robert A. Knittel's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

01/23/2025

Albany, NY - Courtesy of County Historian Jerry Orton, some more pictures taken at the 2019 Mid-Winter Conference!

01/20/2025

Some more photos from the Mid-Winter Conference General Session held on Sunday morning 01/19/2025. NEXT is the Main Conference in Syracuse in JULY!