2 Oneida County Posts and a Business Are Honored

Oneida County Legion, Auxiliary and Sons members participated in their respective annual state conventions held concurrently in mid-July at the Niagara Falls Convention Center.

The 106th Department of New York Legion convention featured awards and recognition for the good work that Legion Posts are doing. A highlight was the election of 2024-2025 Department Commander Keith Koster from Saratoga County. Koster is a Navy vet and cancer survivor who climbed all 46 Adirondack peaks to commemorate the American Legion Centennial.

Two Posts in Oneida County received special recognition.

Henry B. Smith Post 24, Rome, and New Hartford Post 1376, New Hartford, received Americanism Awards and were dubbed as “Most Outstanding Posts.”

Both Posts also were cited for their work with children and youth, receiving top Children and Youth Awards.

Some companies that do an outstanding job of supporting and hiring veterans were honored. Among them was a company from Oneida County, nominated by County Commander Michael Wakfield.

Zimowski Food Specialties of Chadwicks received the Small Employer of Veterans Award. The small business employs veterans, distributes food throughout Oneida County, and supports events at Edward L. Clonan Post 1000 in Chadwicks.