JCP
10-15-2007, 04:14 PM
NY State American Legion Officials Visit Oxford
OXFORD – Each year the NY State American Legion Commander, along with county and department leaders, visits the NYS Veterans’ Home in Oxford. Department of NY State American Legion Commander William H. Burnett, Auxiliary President Carol Johnson, Sons of the Legion Commander, Gerald M. Ketchum, and other leaders visited on October 5th. Their mission was two fold: first, to see how everybody in the Home was doing and that they’re well taken care of and second, to gather facts to take back to the NY Department. While they were at it, they promoted all the many good causes that the Legion has been helping with.
Chairing the arrangements for the tour were Sixth District Vice Commander Bruce Whitney and past Chenango County Commander Patricia Marso of Oxford. The group met at the NYS Veterans’ Home and commenced with a brief press conference.
According to Commander Burnett, one objective of their tours is to get more membership, especially young veterans, as it’s only through numbers that they can get Congress to listen to them. They’re trying to get Posts to spread the word of what they do for the community, such as the Oratorical Contest, little league, Legion baseball, hockey and soccer teams. Another new program is “Heroes to Hometowns” in which the Posts help out a severely injured returning veteran. There’s a Legacy Scholarship since 9/11, which goes toward college education. Also the Legion Riders who ride for community fund raisers and the Legacy. A lot of Vietnam Vets have been joining the Riders.
Another helpful cause is Operation Landstuhl which is based in Germany. They’ve raised $257,000 to provide troops recovering at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center with necessities such as clothes, pjs, or phone cards.
Commander Jerry said of the SAL, “One of our biggest programs is the Child Welfare Foundation that we support- we took Eastern Division of the US. They help the Special Olympics and the Children’s Miracle Network. Last year the American Legion gave $620,000, of that the SAL gave $320,000!”
Auxiliary President Carol, a volunteer for 37 years, said that her goal has been to provide for the veterans. There are many things on the grounds at the Oxford Home that the District Auxiliary has provided. What ever the members needed, like bingo machines, BBQs, beds, a gazebo, etc., the Auxiliary has helped them get. They are also sending out 80 care packages a month to the military.
Commander Burnett said, “If more people knew about these great programs, maybe more veterans would join.”
As representatives of the veterans, the Commanders also gather information, ideas or concerns, and take it back to the Department, who passes it to National, so their voices can be heard. That way help and appropriate funds can be distributed where they’ll do the most good.
Saving the current NYS Veterans’ Home building was a concern discussed by Pat Marso with the Commanders. Marso said, “It would serve the community well to have it become a domiciliary health related facility [or assisted living home], as it was originally constructed for, but the State hasn’t approved of that yet. The building could still get torn down. Another problem is that [since a recent bill passed] the only mothers that can be admitted now are ‘Gold Star Mothers’ [mothers who have lost a son/daughter in the service of our country]. This home was built for wives, widows and mothers along with the veterans.”
President Johnson was particularly concerned about the status of the Vets’ Home since she spent 6,000+ volunteer hours there.
Commanders Bill Burnett, Jerry Ketchum, President Carol Johnson, and many dignitaries were given a tour of the facility by Allan Hopson, the Veterans’ Home Activities Director. Allan stated that on that day, the last bed, of all 242, had been filled. Along the way, Allan demonstrated the wonderful player piano that Carol, along with past Department President, the late Mary Smack, raised funds for. They visited with several members of the Home and then were served lunch.
The Commanders thanked their host and all had glowing remarks about Oxford and the Veterans’ Home. Burnett commented that he only received one complaint from a diabetic who said that the food is good except that they give him such a tiny cupcake that all it does is make his fingers sticky! Johnson, was introduced by Allan Hopson as “Homegrown”, since as she put it, “…this is her second home”. Carol said, “This is the best NYS Veterans Home!”
Following lunch, they went to the Oxford Historical Society Depot-Museum where Society officers, including Sarah Seaman, a retired nurse from the Vets’ Home, shared photos, news clippings and other memorabilia from the Oxford Home. Village of Oxford Mayor, the honorable Terry M. Stark, a veteran, was there to greet them.
In the evening they had a special Testimonial Dinner at the Fort Hill Post 376 in Oxford. Town of Oxford Supervisor, Lawrence Wilcox, also a veteran, welcomed them. At the head table, the Commanders were joined by guests Al Mugglin, Chenango County Chaplin; 5th and 6th District Vice Commander Carl Griffith; 6th District Commander Fred Sherman; 6th District Detachment Commander John Knapp; and Post 376 Commander Fred Baker. For the Auxiliary, President Carol was accompanied by Post 376 President Roberta Knoll; Chenango County President Judy Baker; 6th District President Joan Klahs; and County Chaplin Barbara Pierce. Officers and members from all Legion Posts in Chenango County came to honor their guests.
At the dinner the guests discussed their special projects. Both Commander Bill, of the B. Leo Dolan Post #410 in Lockport, NY, and Commander Jerry, of the Honeoye-Hemlock Squadron #1278 in Canandaigua, NY, have the same special project, the National Emergency Fund, a one-time grant to replace homes lost by natural disasters. This fund needs replenishing.
Bill also urged Legion members to support three House Resolutions: HR-1382, for adequate funding for veterans health care; HR-2642, for the appropriation of funds for discretionary spending; and HR-12, the Flag Amendment, to prohibit the physical desecration of the US flag. He also urged the posts to get more members. Even if veterans sign up and don’t get active, the numbers are helpful.
President Carol’s special project is the “Snoezelen” room. It is a place to provide relaxation for people with learning disabilities, and is especially good for patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Carol is raising funds to provide one Snoezelen room (at $10,000 each) for each of the five NYS Veterans’ Homes, including Oxford’s new facility.
Many post commanders made contributions to the special projects.
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge photos.)
Caption 1: In Oxford’s NYS Veterans’ Home library were SAL Dept. Commander Gerald M. Ketchum, Dept. Auxiliary President Carol Johnson; Dept. Commander William H. Burnett and Dept. Vice Commander 5th-6th Districts Carl Griffith.
Caption 2: Nancy Shofkom, the President of the Vets Home Resident’s Council, shakes Commander Bill Burnett’s hand. Allan Hopson, Activities Director, stands at her side.
Caption 3: At the Oxford Historical Society’s Depot Museum, Past Commander Pat Marso, Commander Burnett, Commander Ketchum, and President Johnson were all welcomed by Village of Oxford Mayor Stark.
Caption 4: Speaking at the Fort Hill Legion Post 376 was President Carol Johnson. Also seen are Post 376 President Roberta Knoll, 6th District Commander Fred Sherman and Post 376 Commander Fred Baker.
Caption 5: On behalf of Post 189 in Norwich, Frank Revoir presented Commander Burnett with a gift for his project and a US Air Force flag.
OXFORD – Each year the NY State American Legion Commander, along with county and department leaders, visits the NYS Veterans’ Home in Oxford. Department of NY State American Legion Commander William H. Burnett, Auxiliary President Carol Johnson, Sons of the Legion Commander, Gerald M. Ketchum, and other leaders visited on October 5th. Their mission was two fold: first, to see how everybody in the Home was doing and that they’re well taken care of and second, to gather facts to take back to the NY Department. While they were at it, they promoted all the many good causes that the Legion has been helping with.
Chairing the arrangements for the tour were Sixth District Vice Commander Bruce Whitney and past Chenango County Commander Patricia Marso of Oxford. The group met at the NYS Veterans’ Home and commenced with a brief press conference.
According to Commander Burnett, one objective of their tours is to get more membership, especially young veterans, as it’s only through numbers that they can get Congress to listen to them. They’re trying to get Posts to spread the word of what they do for the community, such as the Oratorical Contest, little league, Legion baseball, hockey and soccer teams. Another new program is “Heroes to Hometowns” in which the Posts help out a severely injured returning veteran. There’s a Legacy Scholarship since 9/11, which goes toward college education. Also the Legion Riders who ride for community fund raisers and the Legacy. A lot of Vietnam Vets have been joining the Riders.
Another helpful cause is Operation Landstuhl which is based in Germany. They’ve raised $257,000 to provide troops recovering at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center with necessities such as clothes, pjs, or phone cards.
Commander Jerry said of the SAL, “One of our biggest programs is the Child Welfare Foundation that we support- we took Eastern Division of the US. They help the Special Olympics and the Children’s Miracle Network. Last year the American Legion gave $620,000, of that the SAL gave $320,000!”
Auxiliary President Carol, a volunteer for 37 years, said that her goal has been to provide for the veterans. There are many things on the grounds at the Oxford Home that the District Auxiliary has provided. What ever the members needed, like bingo machines, BBQs, beds, a gazebo, etc., the Auxiliary has helped them get. They are also sending out 80 care packages a month to the military.
Commander Burnett said, “If more people knew about these great programs, maybe more veterans would join.”
As representatives of the veterans, the Commanders also gather information, ideas or concerns, and take it back to the Department, who passes it to National, so their voices can be heard. That way help and appropriate funds can be distributed where they’ll do the most good.
Saving the current NYS Veterans’ Home building was a concern discussed by Pat Marso with the Commanders. Marso said, “It would serve the community well to have it become a domiciliary health related facility [or assisted living home], as it was originally constructed for, but the State hasn’t approved of that yet. The building could still get torn down. Another problem is that [since a recent bill passed] the only mothers that can be admitted now are ‘Gold Star Mothers’ [mothers who have lost a son/daughter in the service of our country]. This home was built for wives, widows and mothers along with the veterans.”
President Johnson was particularly concerned about the status of the Vets’ Home since she spent 6,000+ volunteer hours there.
Commanders Bill Burnett, Jerry Ketchum, President Carol Johnson, and many dignitaries were given a tour of the facility by Allan Hopson, the Veterans’ Home Activities Director. Allan stated that on that day, the last bed, of all 242, had been filled. Along the way, Allan demonstrated the wonderful player piano that Carol, along with past Department President, the late Mary Smack, raised funds for. They visited with several members of the Home and then were served lunch.
The Commanders thanked their host and all had glowing remarks about Oxford and the Veterans’ Home. Burnett commented that he only received one complaint from a diabetic who said that the food is good except that they give him such a tiny cupcake that all it does is make his fingers sticky! Johnson, was introduced by Allan Hopson as “Homegrown”, since as she put it, “…this is her second home”. Carol said, “This is the best NYS Veterans Home!”
Following lunch, they went to the Oxford Historical Society Depot-Museum where Society officers, including Sarah Seaman, a retired nurse from the Vets’ Home, shared photos, news clippings and other memorabilia from the Oxford Home. Village of Oxford Mayor, the honorable Terry M. Stark, a veteran, was there to greet them.
In the evening they had a special Testimonial Dinner at the Fort Hill Post 376 in Oxford. Town of Oxford Supervisor, Lawrence Wilcox, also a veteran, welcomed them. At the head table, the Commanders were joined by guests Al Mugglin, Chenango County Chaplin; 5th and 6th District Vice Commander Carl Griffith; 6th District Commander Fred Sherman; 6th District Detachment Commander John Knapp; and Post 376 Commander Fred Baker. For the Auxiliary, President Carol was accompanied by Post 376 President Roberta Knoll; Chenango County President Judy Baker; 6th District President Joan Klahs; and County Chaplin Barbara Pierce. Officers and members from all Legion Posts in Chenango County came to honor their guests.
At the dinner the guests discussed their special projects. Both Commander Bill, of the B. Leo Dolan Post #410 in Lockport, NY, and Commander Jerry, of the Honeoye-Hemlock Squadron #1278 in Canandaigua, NY, have the same special project, the National Emergency Fund, a one-time grant to replace homes lost by natural disasters. This fund needs replenishing.
Bill also urged Legion members to support three House Resolutions: HR-1382, for adequate funding for veterans health care; HR-2642, for the appropriation of funds for discretionary spending; and HR-12, the Flag Amendment, to prohibit the physical desecration of the US flag. He also urged the posts to get more members. Even if veterans sign up and don’t get active, the numbers are helpful.
President Carol’s special project is the “Snoezelen” room. It is a place to provide relaxation for people with learning disabilities, and is especially good for patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Carol is raising funds to provide one Snoezelen room (at $10,000 each) for each of the five NYS Veterans’ Homes, including Oxford’s new facility.
Many post commanders made contributions to the special projects.
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge photos.)
Caption 1: In Oxford’s NYS Veterans’ Home library were SAL Dept. Commander Gerald M. Ketchum, Dept. Auxiliary President Carol Johnson; Dept. Commander William H. Burnett and Dept. Vice Commander 5th-6th Districts Carl Griffith.
Caption 2: Nancy Shofkom, the President of the Vets Home Resident’s Council, shakes Commander Bill Burnett’s hand. Allan Hopson, Activities Director, stands at her side.
Caption 3: At the Oxford Historical Society’s Depot Museum, Past Commander Pat Marso, Commander Burnett, Commander Ketchum, and President Johnson were all welcomed by Village of Oxford Mayor Stark.
Caption 4: Speaking at the Fort Hill Legion Post 376 was President Carol Johnson. Also seen are Post 376 President Roberta Knoll, 6th District Commander Fred Sherman and Post 376 Commander Fred Baker.
Caption 5: On behalf of Post 189 in Norwich, Frank Revoir presented Commander Burnett with a gift for his project and a US Air Force flag.