Commander Bob Holecek of the local American Legion graciously stopped by The Messenger Papers office with some of his board members to present a certificate to our Newspaper. Fred Tartaglione, 2nd Vice Commander, and Paul Attard, Director, joined him. They came to show their appreciation to the newspaper for our advertisements for them and a few other Veteran Organizations free of charge. Our newspaper is happy to do this since we appreciate our great Veterans.
Between the three of them, they represented the Air Force (Holecek), the Navy (Tartaglione), and the Army (Attard). Paul Attard, the eldest of them, now 93, served during the Korean War. Bob Holecek’s service-turned-career spanned from Vietnam through the Gulf War, and Fred Trataglione, the Vietnam War.
These men and the many members of their American Legion, named William Merritt Hallock Post 155, Lake Ronkonkoma, served us heroically then and continue to serve each other, the many Veterans that came after them, and their community to this day.
Many people know that the halls that are for rent, which this one is, and the social functions and camaraderie that are a component of these organizations, but there is so much more.
Seemingly most important to me is that they are there to help other Veterans, whether they are a member or not, and the families of Veterans through tougher times. Once a Veteran, always a Veteran – and Veteran life comes with some additional issues that only a servicemember can truly understand. The members help others with educating others about the benefits for which they are eligible and assist in the sometimes daunting paperwork and processes to get them. They assist in financial hardship or illness and are a wealth of information on the resources out there for various situations a Veteran may face. Most worth mentioning is the “Be The One” program. This is a crisis hotline and members from within the post will walk alongside the Veteran in need. This is information that needs to be widespread preemptive of an issue where it may be needed. Often, a Veteran will suffer in silence and then it is too late to help. They need to know now that this is available to them.
In keeping with American patriotic traditions, this American Legion will host their Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27. They will host an event about flag protocol: holding, folding, and properly retiring a flag on Flag Day, June 14.
You will often see them at street fairs and festivals, offering a small red Poppy Flower in exchange for a donation. The Poppy came to be the symbol of support and respect for the fallen Veterans which originated from a poem called “In Flanders Fields” in 1915, by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. The Messenger will cover this in further detail closer to Memorial Day.
The American Legion’s membership is open to all who have served in any branch, at any time, having served our country honorably. They currently have Veterans of all ages and varied experiences. Amongst them are two Veterans from World War II. Much of their good work does depend on donations and revenue from renting the hall. The membership and board members are all volunteers. They are currently forming a committee to send young people to what is known as Boys State and Girls State. It is for boys and girls interested in learning more about the government. It is a week-long trip where they participate in mock legislative sessions, mock court proceedings, enjoy assemblies, and discussions and recreational activities. The American Legion Post and local businesses help to sponsor the students who are selected to go.
American Legion Post 155 is actively seeking new members to join them.
To learn more about this American Legion, located at 115 Church Street, you can call 631-565-9822.
Go to www.legion.org for the “Be the One’’ program and the Veterans Crisis Line. Dial 988 and then press 1.
