American Legion Post 800 serves its community well

On the heels of another successful Groton Olde Home Days, during which the Groton American Legion Carrington-Fuller Post 800 (the Legion) participates in many ways such as providing free, live bandstand music and the venue for the Groton Fire Department to prepare and sell concessions, Commander Frank Heine could not be more pleased with the level of community support that Groton delivered once again throughout the weekend. A sincere note of appreciation from the Legion was printed in the briefs in the Aug. 30 edition of this column.

Heine was elected as commander of Post 800 in 2014 and has served as such ever since, but he has been a member for 52 years. Prior to becoming commander, he held several officer positions.

“I was drafted into the United States Army in August 1969, during the Vietnam War,” Heine said. “Fortunately, I was never sent overseas, and I became a company clerk in a basic training unit at Fort Dix, New Jersey. My official military occupational specialty was Personnel Specialist 71H20. During my tenure there, I was also the unit mail clerk, responsible for the handling of all incoming and outgoing mail and the forwarding of mail for soldiers who had left our unit on other assignments. I also had the opportunity to train others, who then became company clerks of other units. I was released from active duty in August 1971 with the rank of Specialist 5 (E-5). I joined the American Legion when I returned home.”

Supporting the local community is one of the goals of the American Legion nationally. With Heine’s and his fellow officers’ leadership, Post 800 does its best to fulfill that mission – with dedication from its members and also the members of the Legion Auxiliary.

With great and well-placed pride, Heine shared some of the many ways in which the Legion and its auxiliary serve Groton.

“Boys State attendance is offered by the Legion to two male high school juniors each year. [It’s] a participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county and state government,” Heine said. “Participants learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs.”

Similarly, Girls State attendance is offered by the auxiliary to two female high school juniors each year. Participants learn about the political process by electing officials for all levels of state government and actively running a mock government.

The Legion has sponsored and partially funded the operation of Cub Scout Pack 10 since 1964. In 2019, Pack 10 was honored by the New York State American Legion as Pack of the Year, and in 2020, Scoutmaster Shana Snyder was named Scouter of the Year.

“Scholarships are awarded each year to deserving high school seniors in recognition of high academic achievement, extracurricular activities and involvement in community service,” Heine said. “Charitable donations are made throughout the year to summer camp scholarships for children, high school after-prom events, drama club plays and educational trips, as well as the local police benevolent association, war veteran memorial repairs, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and others.”

Heine also shared that Post 800 offers equipment to individuals in need of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, hospital beds, shower chairs, commodes and other items – loaned at no cost and without regard to membership status.

Aluminum pull tabs are collected at the Legion to help support the Ronald McDonald House, which provides a temporary home for families with seriously ill children who travel to Syracuse for medical care., A clothing donation shed is located on Legion property, in cooperation with St. Pauly Textile, to facilitate the reuse of donated clothing for those in need.

“The post also sponsors American Red Cross blood drives from time to time, offering the use of our dining room for the day without charge,” Heine said, “and organizes a cleanup day twice per year for members and volunteers to pick up litter along a two-mile stretch of NYS Route 38 through the Adopt-a-Highway program.”

Post 800 is the midpoint stop for motorcyclists in the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Tribute Ride, offering rest, relaxation and refreshments to participants in the ride, which is sponsored each year by the local chapter of the VVA to commemorate the designation of NYS Route 38 as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway of Valor.

The post also maintains an Honor Guard – a uniformed group of post members who provide military honors at the funerals of departed comrades upon request of the families. The Honor Guard also provides military observances at local cemeteries on Memorial Day and at the Post 800 home on Veterans Day, including a 21-gun salute at every ceremony.

“We also offer a Veterans Day dinner every year free of charge to all area veterans and their significant others, regardless of their membership status in the American Legion,” Heine said. “This is a full, multicourse dinner, prepared and served by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit members and includes guest speakers and award presentations.”

The Legion also makes its event spaces – an indoor dining room and kitchen and a large, covered, outdoor pavilion with its own kitchen – available to the community for various events such as fundraisers; birthday, anniversary or graduation parties; baby or bridal showers; etc. A nominal fee is charged to cover the costs of operation for these events.

Jointly sponsored by Groton Recreation, with a portable stage provided by the Village of Groton, the Legion also hosts the annual Summer Concert Series on Friday nights in July and August in its parking lot. Admission to the concerts is free to the community, and refreshments are available for purchase from rotating food trucks.

“Social activities at the Legion include the sponsorship of in-house leagues competing in darts and cornhole at various times of the year,” Heine said. “League play promotes camaraderie and social engagement for the members and their guests.”

All in all, the Groton American Legion is clearly an asset to the community and to its members. Heine encourages all to avail themselves of the things the Legion offers by calling 607-898-3837. If you happen to be a veteran or a direct family member of a veteran who might like to be a part of all this, contact Heine at commander@grotonlegionpost800.org.

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief: 

Pancakes are on the griddle! 

The McLean Fire Department Auxiliary will host its first monthly breakfast buffet of the season from 7:30 to 11 a.m. or until gone on Sunday, Sept. 10. On the menu will be three different kinds of pancakes with real maple syrup, French toast, scrambled eggs, home-fried potatoes, sausage links, ham, sausage gravy with biscuits, assorted desserts, an assortment of juices, white and chocolate milk and coffee. Cost for adults is $13; the cost is $10 for senior citizens and children over five years of age. Children under five eat free of charge.

McLean Church Steak Dinner

McLean Community Church, 50 Church St., will host another of its famous steak dinners from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Delmonico steak, baked potato, salad, vegetable medley, beverage and homemade pie are all included for $22 per person. Reservations are highly recommended by calling 315-496-9432 by Friday, Sept. 15. Take-out is also available.

Groton Community Choir 

Groton Community Choir director, Ginny Casey, is sounding the call for interested singers to participate in the 73rd season of this popular choir group. Rehearsals will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, and will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday thereafter at the Groton Assembly of God church building, 701 S. Main St.
Minimum age for choir members is 14, and Casey is calling for all former members, as well as anyone new, to come out and be a part of this musical tradition. It is not necessary for members to reside in Groton; all who love to sing with others are welcome. The main performances will take place Dec. 1-3, so being available on those days is necessary.