For years, the Brockport American Legion Auxiliary Post 379 has been a cornerstone of connection between veterans and the community. In neighborhoods across the region, veterans have a place where their contributions continue to impact others. At this American Legion post, veterans have a commitment to camaraderie.

Jack Tangen has been the post commander at Brockport American Legion Auxiliary Post 379 since 2022. Tangen served during peacetime from 1961 to 1965. He is passionate about volunteering.

“I joined about three years ago after my wife had passed … So I just felt it was something that, you know, along with my other volunteering opportunities to do,” Tangen said. “A couple of things that we try to do is keep the post in the forefront. We are a donation place for Toys for Tots, things like that.”

Tangen says that recruiting volunteers is done through community events.

“We’ve done other initiatives within the community, at some community fairs and neighborhood functions and then trying to recruit people and let them know we’re here if there’s anything we can do,” Tangen said.

Bill Fine of Clarkson joined the post in 2022. Fine is a Vietnam Veteran. He says that he tries to reach the community in different ways.

“In terms of the outreach … I do try to write letters and send them out every so often to all the members of the post that I know of and anybody else that will give me an email address,” Fine said. “I try to send out email letters and keep them informed of what’s going on at the post here.”

Fine says his main efforts involve the mental health of fellow vets.

“One of the issues that I wanted to be involved with when I first got here is suicide prevention,” Fine said. “That’s one of the things that I would like to see more of is suicide prevention in veterans and in the community at large.”

According to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, there were 6,407 veteran suicide deaths in 2022. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for veterans under the age of 45 in 2022.

“Suicide prevention is indeed a big thing for us here,” Fine said. “We are working towards getting our group, our people, and members trained in how to not evaluate, but to recognize a person that might be on the edge and to provide information for them to move on to the next level and to really get some support.”

Fine says that there are other problems the post deals with.

“The biggest problem we have is the aging demographics of the area, the military personnel, and things like that,” Fine said. “You need to have been in the military in order to belong to the post, although we have quite a few associate members that are friends of the military people and that do belong in the army. Age and different views of different age groups is definitely a problem.”

The post continues to add new ways to improve the experience for its members.

“Last year, we were involved in the wreaths across America, placing wreaths on deceased military members and recognized cemeteries,” Tangen said. “We assisted with that and this year we’re looking at doing it for ourselves in Clarkson and we do sponsor some motorcycle rallies, and that starts and ends up here at our post.”

Like other American Legion posts, the Brockport Legion opens its arms to the community.

“The post is also used by other community and service groups like the Lions Club and the Kiwanis come and meet here,” Tangen said. “There seems to be a big problem with the demographics of the age groups and getting younger people in.”

After Tangen’s and Fine’s time with American Legion, the post will continue to serve the community.

“When Bill and I walk away from this and that, there’ll be somebody else that will continue to push forward and provide a community service and that, you know, will make a difference,” Tangen said. “The associate members and anybody else that wants to come in, you have the auxiliary and the sons from the Legion. Keep it going, keep the camaraderie and friendships.”

Patricia Conners is the secretary to the board of directors at Brockport’s post. Conners serves as the treasurer for American Legion Auxiliary. She is part of the financial stability of the organization.

“Last year we raised $16,000 for the post so it was pretty nice. It would have been nice to put it towards that digital sign that we have out there,” Conners said. “We’re starting a new fundraiser … It’s around 20 grand and that’s just something that’s low-end, middle of the road. About five years ago, we got a quote anywhere from $20,000 to $35,000.”

Conners promotes events such as breakfasts and dinners held at the post.

“For the breakfast we do three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday,” Conners said. “The dinner is on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. We’ll do a lasagna dinner on the second Wednesday, and either chicken and biscuits or turkey and biscuits on the fourth Wednesday.”

The Brockport American Legion Auxiliary Post holds a commitment to community. Their contributions continue to support the greater community and region.