We are proud to recognize and offer our heartfelt praise to our Past Commander, Charles Sanders, who served as an outstanding leader of the American Legion Post 803 for six and a half years. His dedication, leadership, and service to our Post have left a lasting impact, and we are grateful for all he has done for our Legion family. Charles has recently advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the New York Army National Guard—a significant and well-deserved accomplishment. In June 2025, he will be deploying to the Middle East for nine months in service to our nation.
To honor his promotion and to wish him well on his upcoming deployment, we are hosting a Going Away Celebration in his honor:
Friday, May 30, 2025
7:00 PM
American Legion Post 803
Light refreshments will be served, including sandwiches, salads, snacks, and drinks.
We invite everyone to join us in celebrating Charles’s achievements and to send him off with our best wishes for a safe and successful mission. All are welcome, but it is vital that we receive
your RSVP so we can properly prepare.
Leave a voicemail at 631-765-2276
Call or text Dave DeFriest at 631-682-8810
Or email Dave at ded631@aol.com
Let’s come together as a community to support and honor one of our own. We hope to see you there!
FDNY Lt. Joseph Torrillo was buried alive on 9-11.
His account on that fateful day plus his survival will astound you!
The American Legion is supporting PTSD awareness.
22 Military men /women commit suicide each day.
ADMISSION IS FREE DONATIONS ACCEPTED
Contact us for additional information: gtpost803@gmail.com,
call 631-765-2276 or John at 516-924-3635
My August Shout Out goes to our Post 803 member, Vincent Guastmacchia. He has a Podcast, Small Town Values to help sustain Agriculture on the North Fork. One of his recent podcasts, Am I a Local Yet? Small Town Values discussion. Check it out! https://perimeteragency.com/small-town-values/
On May 12th I represented the Post at Peconic Landing honoring resident Edwin Cartoski who was being honored as New York State 2023 Veteran of the Year. The recognition was presented by Senator Anthony Palumbo and organized by VFW Post 5350. Myself and Adjunct Brian Hughes congratulated 99 year old Colonel Cartoski and presented him a Challenge coin from the Sons of the Legion.
His military record is amazing! Born in Quiogue, he graduated early from Westhampton Beach High School in 1942, in order to enlist in the Navy and help with the war effort. After training in the Navy V-5 pilots program, he became 2nd Lt. Marine Pilot- flew Corsairs, Hellcats on delivery and test runs. He served on missions for Admiral "Bull" Halsey including service in the Pacific Theater. After the war he returned home and attending College on the GI bill but was called upon to serve again in the Korean War. Flying air support for the 1st Marines he still recalls with emotion being surrounded by enemy forces of China and North Korea during an ambush. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1974 as a Colonel.
With an impressive amount of fruit salad (Military ribbons) on his uniform, and Awards too numerous to list, he resumed civilian life with his family as a test pilot for Grumman before retirement in 1983. During it all Mr. Cartoski and his wife Althea raised five children.
Congratulations on this well deserved recognition as NYS Veteran of the Year!
Gary Iorio, SAL Commander
The Four Pillars of the American Legion
I. Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation
II. National Security
III. Americanism
IV. Children & Youth
51655 Main Rd, Southold, New York 11971, United States Mail us a Letter at: P.O. Box 591 Southold, NY 11971
Bingo is every Tuesday from 12:00-3:30 PM.
The Bar is most often open on Friday from 6PM to 9:30PM