The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
100 YEARS OF SERVICE
American Legion marks a century of caring for local veterans
SHERRILL, N.Y. >> The community came together with the Sherrill American Legion to celebrate 100 years of community commitment Saturday.
“I have a special place in my heart for the American Legion,” said Sherrill Legion Post Commander Ron Tarry. “I’ve been there, being a disabled vet and knowing how lonely it can be getting out of the service. But nowadays, more people know we have more resources and more people are coming to us, to work on disability claims or help disabled people. It’s really emotional to talk about. It’s phenomenal to do something like that to help all our veterans.”
More than 100 people showed up to line East Seneca Street for the Sherrill American Legion Parade, featuring the likes of the Boy Scouts, the Upstate Drum and Bugle Corps, local law enforcement, local fire departments and more.
Six past commanders were part of the parade as well, volunteering their time and cars, Tarry said. “The oldest member would be about 94 right now,” Tarry said. “Some of the youngest would be 50, so there’s so much in the ways of difference and experience. And my main reason to feature the past commanders is that’s the only way [the American Legion] can survive nowadays. To learn from past experience.”
Tarry said from the heart, he is grateful to all the volunteers, the chairpeople and chairman, all the past commanders and everyone who made the celebration possible.
Tarry said with the signing of the LEGION Act, the American Legion is open to so many more people.
Previously, to join the American Legion, servicemen and women had to have served during a time of official conflict — World
War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
“Now, if you served and you qualify, you can join the American Legion,” Tarry said. “And it’s important now more than ever. Veterans made this country and they’re the backbone.”
According to an article on the American Legion website, the LEGION (Let Everyone Get Involved In Opportunities for National Service Act) effectively declares the United States has been in a state of War since Dec. 7, 1941. American Legion officials pursued this as a way to honor thousands of veterans who were killed or wounded on duty during periods not previously considered a time of war. It also opens the door for around 6 million veterans to access American Legion programs and benefits.
American Legion Department Commander Gary Schacher told the Dispatch that the World War I and WorldWar II veterans made the Legion, the Korean and Vietnam veterans are the backbone of the organization, and the future of the Legion now lies with veterans of the Global War on Terrorism.
“I will guarantee as long I am commander, if someone needs help, they’ll be taken care of,” Tarry said. “That’s a promise I will take to the grave. It’s an honor to lead a bunch of people like this.”