Gabriel A. Rodriguez American Legion Post 1928

History of the Post

The initial reason for the founding of the Gabriel A. Rodriguez Post # 1928 was to create an organization where our members could share with each other in camaraderie to celebrate our common culture and service to this nation. All the initial members of the post were Hispanic and had served in various branches of the armed forces, from WWII to the most recent military interven

tions at that time. There was an uncomfortable and tense apprehension among those approached for membership, given the past history of racial prejudice and discrimination experienced by the Hispanic members during their respective military service. However, it was the intervention and guidance of leaders like Marcos Lopez and those of the Jesse Clipper American Legion Post that convinced and inspired the new recruits of what was to be the Rodriguez Post to join the American Legion. It was made clear that the Hispanic members needed to join in to make way for a more integrated organization that represented the image of America and its citizens. Rodriguez Post #1928 finally broke ground establishing the first Hispanic American Legion post in the Western New York region, composed of Hispanic-American veterans. Rodriguez was selected by the members of the post as a result of careful research established in consideration of the following criteria: to name after a member deceased, primarily as a casualty of war; the member must have been a local resident; finally, the member must have been of Hispanic demographic origin because given the still-existing ethnic segregation of the city, only they would recognize such a member. In selecting the name, the members felt it was the first time a group of veterans validated the importance and authenticity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disease (PTSD) as a cause of casualty resulting from military service. The victims of that disease became recognized by the voting members of the Rodriguez Post as casualties of war not dissimilar to those wounded or killed in battle. Rodriguez was a long-time member of the Buffalo Hispanic community, he represents a score of thousands of veterans throughout all wars past and present of an illness not yet diagnosed in his time as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD); tormented to the point of death in 1981. It is estimated that twenty veterans a day succumb to the emotional mental instability caused by war. In the spring of 2020 members of the original American Legion Gabriel A. Rodriguez Post 1928 began the efforts to reinstate its American Legion charter in the summer of 2020. Original members met to review the criteria and establish the ground work for the reinstatement. The former post had to show a structured and organizational concept that met the American Legion standards that would allow the charter application to be considered. In July of 2020 temporary officers were elected and names were submitted to meet the criteria for the application. Later that month on July 29, 2020 the issuance of the temporary charter for the American Legion Gabriel A. Rodriguez Post 1928 was forwarded. The charter was evidence of the confidence, which the Department and National officers have placed on the post and its charter members. The Post is committed to undertake activities in the basic programs of Americanism, Children and Youth, Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation and in National Security to the full extent which is suitable to its community. In December of 2020 permanent officers were elected to the Post as the Post is seeking its permanent charter as an American Legion Post. Officer 2022-2023

Post Commander: John Sanabria
1st Vice Commander: Saul Rodriguez
2nd Vice Commander: Joseph Robles
3rd Vice Commander: Jose Orta
Finance Officer: Ricardo Estrada
Sgt. of Arms: Pedro Lopez
Adjutant: Joseph Robles
Chaplain: Alberto DeJesus
Service Officer: Ventura Colon
Historian: Richard Morales
Homeland Security: Benjamin Matta
Judge Advocate: Jose Orta
Compliance Officer: Francisco Rodriguez
Membership: Saul Rodriguez