Attention Veterans
Commander Greg Bennett and Post Membership Officer John Geiger invite military veterans to join Charles Wagner American Legion Post 421. Requirements are service during a period of war with an honorable discharge or current active duty.
For over 90 years the American Legion has lobbied Congress and State governments for veterans benefits. Perhaps you need assistance with veterans benefits. We volunteer to help needy veterans and their families. We volunteer at the VA hospital. On Veterans Day, Memorial Day and every day we remember and help our brother and sister veterans. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you. And we support and assist our troops. Bring your ideas and service to the Legion and your community. And above all Charles Wagner Legionnaires salute you for your service to our nation. For information contact Commander Greg Bennett at 338-6995.
Nassau County Veterans Stand-Down
On Monday, July 26, Director Patrick J. Yngstrom and his Nassau County Veterans Service Agency held its annual Summer Veterans Stand-Down at the Hempstead American Legion Post. Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano was there, assisting needy and homeless veterans. Also volunteering were numerous veterans and community organizations. Veterans seeking help were escorted to aid stations to receive information on veterans benefits, employment, social services and housing. Veterans also received blood pressure checks, haircuts, clothes, canned foods, eyeglasses and toiletries.
Charles Wagner Post 421 and Auxiliary Unit 421 purchased new underwear and donated it to the veterans stand-down. Hicksville Legionnaires Cliff Doering and Commander Greg Bennett escorted veterans to the aid stations at the stand-down. Legionnaire Joseph Messana cooked and grilled foods for the veterans and volunteers. Cliff Doering is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Guadalcanal and several other Pacific island invasions during World War II. He is the recipient of the Nassau County Distinguished Service to Veterans Award. Joseph Messana is a Vietnam War veteran and Commander of the Joseph Barry Catholic War Veterans Post 1946. Most recently he was the Grand Marshal of the Hicksville Memorial Day Parade.
If anyone knows of a homeless or needy veteran, contact Commander Greg Bennett at 338-6995 or the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency at 572-8452. We will arrange for assistance for the veteran.
Farewell Comrade and Friends
It was the sad duty of Post Chaplain Herbert Grimmer to report the passing of Legionnaire Eugene Finck. Legionnaires held a Farewell Salute and Memorial Service for Gene Finck at Wagner’s Funeral Home on July 27, 2010. Also on that evening Legionnaires paused to pay their final respects to Josephine Kluck, the beloved wife of Post 421 Past Commander Robert Kluck.
Legionnaires who attended the Memorial Service for Eugene Finck were Commander Greg Bennett, Chaplain Herb Grimmer, Past County Commander Richard Hockbrueckner, Past Post Commanders Charles Rockwood, John Mauro and Andy Malone along with Legionnaires Fred Hoehing, Henry Arias, Sr., Chester Lech, Frank White, Steve Ellis, Cliff Doering, Rich Grand, John Geier, Bill White, Peter Johnson, Ben Klimkowski, Richard Burg, Bill Cheslock, Lloyd Harman, Walter Maier, Mario Lombardi, Carl Faillace and others.
Installation Night
Charles Wagner Post 421 will hold its annual Post Installation Night on Mon., Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. at the Hicksville VFW. Nassau County American Legion Commander Frank Colon is expected to attend and install the Post 421 Commander and Officers for 2010-2011.
Membership and Support
The Charles Wagner Post meets the first and third Mondays at the Hicksville VFW at 8 p.m. During August we will meet only on Aug. 16 for the Post Installation. Veterans are welcome to join our Post. Donations to assist veterans and our troops can be mailed to American Legion Post 421, P.O. Box 925, Hicksville, NY 11801. Contact Commander Greg Bennett at 338-6995 for information.
