Post History
Our post was first named MEMORIAL GROVE 1213 and a temporary charter from the American Legion in 1938. This group did not stay active and it gradually faded away. After WWII ended a group of local veterans formed THE NEW WINDSOR WAR VETERANS in the year 1947. Joseph DiCarlo was its first Commander.This group owned the building where the current post is located.Tthe building was first erected in 1951 and completed in 1955. It was built on land donated by Frank Orzechowski, a charter member.THE NEW WINDSOR WAR VETERANS than bought the land opposite the bldg and built a large parking lot. In 1952 the NEW WINDSOR AMERICAN LEGION POST 1796 was formed .It received its charter on October 9, 1953. James Flemming was the first commander of the newly chartered post. Since that time to present we have had 37 commanders.
Presently Anthony Mancinelli is our longest living member with 70 years of loyal service to the post. He is also our oldest living member at age 103 years.
Affiliated Organizations
A Women's Auxiliary of American Legion Post 1796 was formed on 1954. The Legion has every reason to be proud of it's Auxiliary. Auxiliary members are always anxious and willing to co-operate in every Legion activity.
A Sons of the Legion for American Legion Post 1796 was formed on 2007. The Legion has every reason to be proud of it's Sons of Legion unit, which gained statewide recognition because of it's programs of service.
Patriotic Days
MEMORIAL DAY has always been an outstanding occasion in this community. In addition to memorial events throughout the New Windsor Mid-Hudson community, the goal of every Veteran to it's last man is to keep MEMORIAL DAY sacred to the memory of our war dead of all of the wars of the country; and all graves are decorated on this National Holiday.
ARMISTICE DAY, now called VETERANS' DAY, originally marked the end of fighting in World War I. It is an important holiday on the calendar of Legionnaires everywhere and in the hearts of all Veterans. It has been in New Windsor in November. Annually the Post sponsored the Armistice Day Parade. An important tradition was established when the Post led in the memorial exercises at 11 o'clock on the morning of November 11, marking the exact hour of the cessation of hostility on the war fronts.
Registration Of Graves
Since it's inception New Windsor American Legion Post 1796 has been a leader in this community in the area of graves registration; which has been incorporated by all the American Legion Posts in Orange County. Grave Registration enables all interested parties to locate the site of the grave of each Veteran. American Legion Post 1796 acquired a burial lot in Woodlawn Cemetery and this has been marked by the erection of a massive monument marking it as the burial lot for servicemen without kin. Each year, active members place a flag on each Veteran's grave.
Scholarships and Community Projects
American LegionPost 1796 sponsors various scholarships for the further education of our children. We also sponsor and financially assist many worthy community projects and programs initiated by the National American Legion.
Join Us and Keep this History Alive