American Legion Post 128 Commander George Sczcerba is one of the youngest members of the 93-year-old Rye institution. “Ours is a great group, but we need to recruit new members of all ages,” he says. The Post’s Vice Commander, James Burke, notes that 442 veterans are on the City tax rolls. The Post currently has 80 members.
By Robin Jovanovich
American Legion Post 128 Commander George Sczcerba is one of the youngest members of the 93-year-old Rye institution. “Ours is a great group, but we need to recruit new members of all ages,” he says. The Post’s Vice Commander, James Burke, notes that 442 veterans are on the City tax rolls. The Post currently has 80 members.
The Post is also looking for a permanent meeting place and a regular revenue stream.
The organization’s current “home” is in whichever part of the Damiano Center is available on a given night. “Rye Rec Superintendent Sally Rogol goes out of her way to accommodate us, but our goal is our own meeting space,” says Mr. Sczcerba.
“The Town of Rye contributes to all five of Port Chester’s veteran organizations,” says Mr. Sczcerba, who transferred over from the Port Chester Legion Post five years ago. Rye Post leaders are looking for funding to repair the memorial fountain outside City Hall. They also need funds to continue to support the Boys’ State program, which sends young men to boot camp for a week over the summer. “They also learn about government that week,” adds Mr. Burke.
In the past, Post 128 supported a Little League team. They’d like to do so again. They will continue with the Memorial Day Essay Contest, which provides college scholarship money, because of the generous funding from the James Kingery family. They’re proud to announce that a receptacle will soon be installed in City Hall for proper flag disposal.
The Post holds monthly meetings at 7:30 p.m. at Rye Rec. The next one is Thursday, October 20. A special presentation will be made by William Rubin, a Columbia Law School graduate who has worked for large law firms in New York City specializing in real estate and recently moved his practice to Rye. Also on the agenda is a discussion of the upcoming Veterans Day ceremony at City Hall.
They have speakers at some of the meetings and a good time at all of them. If you’re interested in finding out more about membership or want to lend your support to Rye’s American Legion group, contact George Szczerba at 403-0595 or Jim Burke at 967-8842 or email legionpost128@gmail.com.
