Veterans Appreciation Day At Greenport American Legion Wednesday

NORTH FORK, NY — Heroes who have served the nation will be honored Wednesday at a Veterans Appreciation Day at the Greenport American Legion, Burton Potter Post 185.

The event takes place from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., and current members, potential members and all veterans who have served the United States will be honored. The celebration will feature tours of the building, help with membership, a free buffet and open bar.

All guests will receive a free raffle ticket for a drawing to be held after a brief ceremony at 6 p.m. When a ticket is drawn the winner gets to pick any prize from the prize table. There will also be a display of Legion memorabilia that was salvaged during the re-construction that brought the beloved facility back to life in the village.

Burton Potter Post 185 was established in the 1940s. "After many years of renovation, we are opening our doors again and would love for you to come and enjoy the space," said Mindy Ryan, general manager of the Greenport American Legion in a letter to members. "This Post is located in the heart of the Village of Greenport and will once again be a vital part of the community."

Besides offering low cost roller skating for all ages the Legion plans to sponsor youth programs and community events while advocating patriotism and promoting devotion to members of the military and veteran affairs, she said.

Regular meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at the Greenport American Legion, 121 Third Street, Greenport at 7 p.m.

The Veterans Appreciation Day, she said, is the perfect opportunity to renew memberships and to introduce a veteran or a son of a veteran to the Post.

A membership desk will be set up to issue membership cards to current members and assist potential members in filling out a membership application. Annual dues for the American Legion are $45. Annual dues for the Sons of American Legion are $15. Cash or checks are accepted. Potential American Legion members should bring a copy of their DD-214 while potential Sons of American Legion members will need their fathers' or grandfathers' DD-214 and their own birth certificate, and their father's birth certificate if the Legion member is their grandfather.

Those unable to attend on Wednesday should feel free to stop by for a visit or to discuss membership during any open skate session on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons, Ryan said. A full schedule can be found on the Legion's website.

North Fork Bodies In Motion, LLC is one of the partners for Veteran Appreciation Day; Marilyn LoPresti of North Fork Bodies in Motion will also be onhand, Ryan said.

Ryan thanked American Beech for their "amazing" and generous donation of sandwich platters.

Businesses, Ryan pointed out, can still donate raffle prizes; Ryan said she can arrange to pick up donations Tuesday or Wednesday morning.

"All veterans are invited," Ryan said.

It's critical, she added, to shine a light on the Legion and shepherd it into its bright future.

"American Legion posts around the country are closing due to lack of membership. Our own membership has suffered greatly due in part to the building being closed for so long. Despite the fact that the roller skating rink is finally open and generating income to maintain the building, the American Legion Burton Potter Post 185's member meeting room upstairs is still closed. However, we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel," Ryan said.

Ryan said she has the building permit for the upstairs in hand, "hot off the presses from Village Hall. The Greenport American Legion is alive again and we want to share our accomplishments with our members and potential members."

The goal is also to welcome Sons of Legion members, and revive the SAL Squadron 185, "which, like much of the re-construction project, lost momentum with the sudden passing of George Costello," she said. The hope and goal, Ryan said, is to infuse the Legion with new membership and a long future in Greenport.

For additional information, visit the Legion's website here and the Legion's Facebook page here.

Patch photo by Lisa Finn.