THE STORY OF AMERICAN LEGION POST 833

Our Mission:

“Is To Provide Support For Veterans, Active Duty Military, and Their Families”

The American Legion was chartered by congress in 1919. The

Department of New York was chartered on May 24, 1919. Growth was

rapid throughout the state with District 10 in Suffolk County forming

Posts as early as 1919. As Long Island and Suffolk County grew, a need

developed for additional Post locations.

In time, Smithtown grew to a point where it was determined a new Post was needed. 22 Veterans signed up to become charter members; on January 23, 1920, the James Ely Miller Post 833 was officially issued a charter by the National Headquarters.

The American Legion and other Veteran service Organizations saw their major growth after World War II. As the numbers of this core group began to decline as a result of old age taking its inevitable toll, the efforts to recruit new members was not maintained. However, Post 833 embarked on a recruitment drive targeting Korean and Vietnam era Veterans, so as to stimulate an interest in becoming a part of an organized Veteran Community. During recent years, our Post’s membership has declined due to old age taking its inevitable toll. We hope to experience significant growth over the next few years due to the enrollment of younger members who served our country in regions worldwide.

VETERANS SERVICES

One of the premiere undertakings that our Post engages in is to have our Corps of Service Officers assist Veterans and their family members, apply for their benefits with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Our Service Officers undergo regular training, so as to keep up to date with changing VA policies and procedures. We are proud of the fact that we have assisted many Veterans successfully submit and receive claim awards.

In addition, Post 833 provides emergency financial assistance to Veterans and Active Duty Military. We particularly focus on those who have become homeless or are in peril of becoming homeless. This is accomplished by paying past due rent, mortgage, utilities, vehicle repair and other necessary expenses. Furthermore, partner with, several other service provider organizations to assist Veterans with job training, resume preparation, interview tuition, and even the proper wardrobes to work in.

Our Post members regularly provide volunteer work at the Northport VA Medical Center. During the holidays, we deliver handmade greeting cards as well as comfort items donated by our Post and members of our community. In addition, we support the Beacon House, which provides shelter and meals for homeless veterans.

We provide a Post Honor Guard to perform at funerals and other public events.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

At its inception, Post 833 became an active partner with the Town of Smithtown and its community members.

Each year American Legion Post 833, along with VFW Post 10870, organizes and presents formal programs on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. These events feature keynote speakers from our Military, Local Civic, County, and State Officials. We provide musicians and vocalists to enhance the patriotic reverence that we have for the hero’s in the Military whom have served our Nation.

Our Post was instrumental in constructing a Veteran’s Plaza in the center of the Town of Smithtown. Displayed at the Plaza is a monument that is dedicated "To the Men and Women Veterans of Smithtown Past, Present, and Future Who Distinguished Themselves By Their Honorable Service to Their Country." It also contains a "Veterans Walk of Honor" commemorating the names of local Veterans who have served. A Waterfall is dedicated to Nicholas Albanese, Past Commander of both American Legion Post 833 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10870.

NATIONAL PROGRAMS

Each year, Post 833 participates in a wide range of programs promoted by our National Organization.

High School Oratorical Contest
High School Americanism Essay
Assist VFW Post 10870 with the “Voice of Democracy” speech contest
Assist VFW Post 10870 the Middle School “Patriot’s Pen” essay contest
Teacher of the Year recognition for elementary, middle, and high school educators
Scouting award

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Needless to say, the vast array of outreach and activities that our Post participates in requires much financial support. We are grateful for the generosity of our Town and members of our community who have a willingness to help us finance these projects.

Please go to our DONATE page for an opportunity to contribute to various fund activities.

We are grateful to all who have made American Legion Post 833 one of the premier Veteran support organizations in our State.

GENERAL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN LEGION

Together, members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary, and the Sons of The American Legion make up what is known as The Legion Family. All three organizations place high importance on preserving our American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation's children, caring for veterans and their families, and perhaps most importantly, teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.

THE AMERICAN LEGION

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, war-time veterans' organization, devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is a community-service organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members,men and women, in nearly 15,000 American Legion posts worldwide. These posts are organized into 55 departments, one each for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines. The American Legion's national headquarters is in Indianapolis, with additional offices in Washington, DC. In addition to thousands of volunteers serving in leadership and program implementation capacities in local communities and the Legion's standing national commissions and committees, the national organization has a regular full-time staff of about 255 employees.

THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) is a U.S.-headquartered patriotic service organization for women interested in voluntary service. It is a non-profit organization, affiliated with The American Legion (a veterans' service organization). There are nearly one million Auxiliary members in 10,100 communities across the world. The American Legion Auxiliary is an organization with dedicated, empowered women across the world, who are devoted to America's veterans (current and past) and children and youth, with the notion of inspiring Auxiliary members' communities. The American Legion Auxiliary is responsible for programs such as: Girls State, Girls Nation, Freedoms Foundation, educational scholarships and is a national co-sponsor of the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. Click here to visit the American Legion Auxiliary Web Site.

THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION

The Sons of The American Legion was created in 1932 as an organization within The American Legion. The S.A.L. is made up of boys and men of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States military and became eligible for membership in The American Legion. Click here to visit the Sons of the American Legion site.

Click here to visit the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 833 page.