1 Year After Threat Of Closure, Local American Legion Lives On

MATTITUCK, NY — One year after the threat of closure hung heavy like a cloud over the Mattituck American Legion, the future once again looks bright.

According to Art Tillman, adjutant at the American Legion's Post 861, last year, members at the Raymond Cleaves American Legion Post 861 anticipated the Post’s closure, just three years before its 100th anniversary.

The Legion was founded in 1920 one year after the American Legion was established by WW I veterans, Tillman said.

But thanks to the open hearts of the community and remaining Legion members, as well as the transfer of the Post’s deed to the Mattituck Fire District, Tillman said, "Our situation has been reversed and the future of Post 861 looks bright."

The help of Bob Neville, past commander of the Southold Post, and guidance of the American Legion’s Suffolk County Division and New York State District was invaluable, he said.

"We have turned from sadness to accomplishment and hope," Tillman said, thanking the local media and residents for their help. "Fitting for this Easter season, ours is a resurrection story, thanks to your help."

Over the past year, Tillman said, Post 861 has grown, with new members signing up.

Significant events in past months include Post 861 sending a local high school student to Boy's State; Tillman thanked Lisa Dabrowski, Post 861's publicity director, who he said was instrumental in getting the Mattituck Gun Club to sponsor a second student to the "prestigious New York State American Legion's one week seminar in government, to be held at Morrisville."

Other events have included a Vietnam Story Corps held at the library followed by a party held at the Legion, where two of the Legion's members and Vietnam veterans were honored.

The Legion has also donated to the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton, where four heroes recently lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash in Iraq, Tillman said.

Events for the remainder of the year include pancake breakfasts, a pig roast, two movie nights in July and August, and, beginning on April 13, a weekly Social Night every Friday, featuring card games, darts and other games.

The Legion will also award a scholarship to a graduating senior at Mattituck High school.

Also in the works is an Antiques and Collectibles Sale on Sundays in the warner months to be held at the Legion site; the target date for the first sale is May 6, Tillman said.

Funds raised will go to continuing support of veterans, their families and the community, he said.

"Be it known American Legion membership now includes the Auxiliary, Sons and Daughters of Veterans and others related to veterans and are welcomed to membership — Post 861 is reactivated," Tillman said. "Your joining with us is a wonderful way to honor your loved one who served. Post 861, with your membership and support has become and increasingly will be a vital part of our community, the North Fork and a service to all veterans and their families."

Last year, members were fearful that the Legion could soon be closing its doors forever.

The problem, said Tillman, was one that's cast its shadow on many similar organizations — a membership that's fading due to the passage of years, and few new recruits.

But those who love the Legion, located on Wickham Avenue, worked desperately to give the post one last chance, despite the fact that at some meetings, there weren't enough members present for the quorum necessary to conduct business.

However, a free dinner was held, awareness was raised, and the Legion and all it stands for, lives on.

And rightly so, Tillman said: "It was the Legion who fought the government to include Agent Orange as a disability from war. It is the Legion that advocates for VA hospitals and patients. It is the Legion who remembers all those who have given lives for their country. It is the Legion that does so much more for the community. Please join us in keeping our historic post alive and honoring those who have given so much so we can live free."

Patch photo by Lisa Finn.