My name is Michael James Banas, commander of Sons of The American Legion Squadron 1449 in New York state. We are relatively new, and I feel that between my great friend and commander Charles Harrison, Thomas E. Tehan Post 1449 has done an outstanding job saving this post from completely closing! There have been at least three Legion posts that have completely closed and sold their buildings but are still operating. When Commander Harrison took over, the post had only a couple hundred dollars left in the bank and no alcohol left to sell. Since then, Commander Harrison asked me to start the Sons, which didn't have a charter yet. Together we accomplished the job, and my detachment is striving with guidance from Commander Van Patten! There is also an Auxiliary unit at the post.
Our roof was about to collapse; we now have it half done. Both bathrooms have been 100 percent renovated, through mostly donated time and the bricklayers union sending apprentice tile setters to completely redo both bathrooms while getting real hands-on experience and helping the Legion at the same time.
I’m extremely proud of the work the Sons have put into the post and community. In a short period of time we have donated thousands of dollars! My grandfathers and uncles and cousins, looking down are proud.
As of April 9, 2024: all squadrons have donated time and fundraising efforts to get our roof almost done. The Sons squadron donated over $10,000 last year to various veterans and little sports leagues, and linked up with the Lackawanna Elementary PTA and delegates from Blasdell Elementary during Thanksgiving and Christmas to help needy families' kids enjoy what every American should. Also, my chaplain Paully Batorick established a program where he has helped over 1,000 families, a local woman’s shelter and churches. This program can work at any post with the ingenious way he made it happen. Paully, unfortunately, is battling stage 4 cancer, but still makes it every meeting to fulfill his position. All in all, the post is still moving forward with all squadrons working as a team.
