We would like to sincerely thank everyone who donated to this year's 2023 Poppy Drive. Your donations will be used to assist veterans who served our nation. We are in the process of tallying our numbers right now, and it looks pretty good that we have met last year's total. More on this in the near future.
As a reminder, none of the money stays with our Post, 100% of the donated money goes to assisting veterans.
The Rayson-Miller Post 899 is located in the historic town of Pittsford, New York. Literally located just steps away from the historic Erie Canal. Conveniently located across the street from the Post Home is the Pittsford Veterans Memorial, where the Post holds the Veterans Day ceremony each year.
"Pittsford is an area of beautiful homes and gardens, trees and historical buildings. The school has an excellent reputation as does the library. The municipal officers of both the town and village have paid particular attention to parks and recreational opportunities and have collaborated on many community events (from A Short History of Pittsford)."
"Rayson-Miller" Post 899 so named for two Pittsford, New York men who were killed in action in France, during WW I; Homer Rayson and Henry L. Miller.
Fifteen returning WWI veterans obtained the charter for Pittsford Rayson-Miller Post #899 on March 26, 1920. The Charter Members were: Lloyd F Allen, Howard R Bacon, James Crawford, John S Doane, Stanley Gilmore, Dick Krieger, George Loughborough, Harry Naber, Jack B Palmer, William D Rossiter, George H Schreib, Russel A Smith, Harland D Spiegel, Raymond F Steve and William C Stockman. POST 899 rooms were in the Crump Block in the Village of Pittsford.
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students. A participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county and state government, Boys State was founded in 1935 to counter the socialism-inspired Young Pioneer Camps. The program was the idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, who organized the first Boys State at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
At Boys State, participants learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county and state governments. Operated by students elected to various offices, Boys State activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, choruses and recreational programs.
American Legion Baseball is a national institution, having thrived through a world war, several national tragedies, and times of great prosperity as well as great despair.
The league still stands behind the traditional values upon which it was founded in 1925. American Legion Baseball has taught hundreds of thousands of young Americans the importance of sportsmanship, good health and active citizenship. The program is also a promoter of equality, making teammates out of young athletes regardless of their income levels or social standings. American Legion Baseball has been, and continues to be, a stepping stone to manhood for millions of young men who have gone on to serve their country or community, raise families or play the sport at the highest level. For all current 2019 information on the team, standings and more visit District 7 American Legion Baseball
American Legion posts sponsor more than 2,500 Scouting units across the country. This is natural for Legionnaires, who bring their service-learned skills and experiences as veterans to help build character and positive traits in our country's youth. The American Legion's support for Boy Scouts of America began at the Legion’s first national convention in 1919.
Today, Legion posts sponsor more than 2,500 Scouting units across the country. This is natural for Legionnaires, who bring their service-learned skills and experiences as veterans to help build character and positive traits in our country’s youth. Few other post activities generate more goodwill from the community. The Legion annually honors the Eagle Scout of the Year at the national convention. The winner of the competition receives a $10,000 scholarship, and the three runners-up are each awarded $2,500 scholarships.
Scouting questions, contact: Steve Wilterdink-Committee Chair
Rayson-Miller Post 899 and Thornell Road Elementary School's 4th grade class of Mrs. Stevens-Oliver have built an extraordinary partnership. This ongoing relationship brings the 4th grade class to the post home to have breakfast with the veterans and the students learn about patriotism, respect for our flag and country and what the veterans experienced during their service.
Rayson-Miller Post 899 started the Veterans Supporting Veterans initiative in the fall of 2016. This program falls in line with the mission of the American Legion and specifically assists veteran's in our community who are in need. As well as, assisting other organizations in our area that assist veterans in need. These needs may be a home visit to a veteran that is ill and bringing groceries, to actually providing financial support.
Every month of May you will see Rayson-Miller Post 899 members offering poppies, flag stars and flags. The red poppies are a symbolic of the blood shed during battle. Remember to wear your poppy on National Poppy Day, to honor the fallen and support the living who have worn our nation's uniform and served our country.
The Town of Pittsford celebrates Memorial Day every year with a parade through town and then ends the celebration with a ceremony at the Pittsford Cemetery. Members of the Rayson-Miller Post 899 march in this parade and take an active role in the ceremony. The Rayson-Miller Post also hosts a reception at the post home at the end of the ceremony.
Rayson-Miller Post 899 holds a Veterans Day Ceremony every year on 11th month, the 11th day at the 11th hour. This ceremony takes place at the Pittsford Veterans Memorial across the street from the Post home. After the ceremony, a reception is held at the Post home and is open to everyone. The Post home is handicapped accessible.
Rayson-Miller Post 899 joins in the Paddle & Pour event each year with some type of booth, featuring either food or as an information booth. Come out visit us and enjoy the live music, tastes from local wineries & craft breweries while browsing the work of regional artists. You can also watch the Pittsford Regatta. Waterside on Schoen Place Noon – 10:00 PM
Town of Pittsford puts on a Food Truck & Music Fest every year in September. Rayson-Miller always has a food booth to raise funds for veterans. Of course the event also features other various food vendors, great music, free games and carnival rides, Noon–9:00 PM, held on Main Street from the Four Corners (Monroe/State streets) to Locust Street.
Rayson-Miller will begin its Tuesday Morning Breakfast from 8am to 10am for anyone who would like to join us.
We require all attendees to wear masks to enter the Post. We are strictly following NYS Covid-19 guidelines for social distancing and food service. Your food will be served to you and obviously you may remove your mask to eat.
For our February general meeting we were treated by Ashley of Mission BBQ who brought us delicious goodies of pulled pork & pulled chicken sliders, baked beans, mac n' cheese, green beans and cornbread!
Thank you Ashley and Mission BBQ of Henrietta!! Check out Mission BBQ's story by clicking here.
Rayson-Miller Post 899 is proud to support the Monroe County Special Olympics this year! Did you know the Genesee Region serves more than 4,000 athletes and unified partners each year!
Check out the Special Olympics by clicking the logo.
Our 2022 Boys State Candidate, Thomas Gargan has been accepted to West Point.
Jim passed away on February 16, 2023 at the age of 91. Jim was a veteran of the United States Navy and member of the Pittsford American Legion Rayson-Miller Post 899 for 23 years. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Rita Dorothy Keefe McGurn and his children, Jane (Stan) Sweet, Anne (Craig) Reed, Heather (Mickey) Zollo, Charlie (Debbie) McGurn. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Jim spent his early years in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, but returned to the Rochester area and graduated from Fairport High School in 1949 where he played football and basketball and sang in the Glee Club. He attended the University of Rochester and then joined the Navy. He served as a pre-flight instructor from 1952-1954 during the Korean War while stationed at Whiting Field, the US Naval Air Station in Milton, Florida.
After his discharge from the service, he returned to Fairport where he and Dorothy raised their children. He had a successful career in sales with Moore Business Forms and Mahar Business Forms earning a number of awards and achievements. He was an active member of the community, coached hockey and was a NYS Swimming Official. He loved to spend time at his cabin in Naples and traveling in the American west. In his later years, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in their athletic, musical and theatrical endeavors. He was also a longtime member and board member of the National Warplane Museum.
In 2015, Jim was proud to join fellow veterans for Honor Flight Rochester Mission 44. He was very grateful for the experience.
A service will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 1:00pm at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Road, Fairport, NY 14450. Friends wishing may donate to the Rayson-Miller Pittsford American Legion Post #899, 21 N. Main St., Pittsford, NY 14534 or the National Warplane Museum, PO Box 185, 3489 Big Tree Ln., Geneseo, NY 14454.
Obituary supplied by the family.
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Rayson-Miller American Legion Post 899 supports the community's youth programs and our initiative of Veterans Supporting Veterans with donations.
Please consider donating today!
For any generous donation of $25 or more receive this beautifully embroidered 4 inch patch as our Thank You gift.
Rayson-Miller Post 899 is a 501(c)(19) not for profit organization. Your donations are tax deductible.
