| The below article appeared in the Times Journal August 31, 2005 in Cobleskill, NY |
Vets find strength in numbers
Form new organization, begin computer center
Story by Jim Poole
Photos by Dick Danielsen
Three local veterans groups have become allies.
The Fred L. Stilson Post 57 of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5088 and AMVETS Post 175 are
now cooperating as Cobleskill Veterans, for special events and projects.
The first project, already under way, is to get veterans familiar with computers.
With veterans aging and their groups getting smaller, organizations in other areas started to join together. Cobleskill
area vets decided to do the same, said VFW Commander Don Mackey.
The three local groups will retain their identities, posts and activities but will join together for color guards, parades,
special services and other events.
“It’s very positive,” said AMVETS Commander Frank Saum. “We have a larger pool to draw from and we draw people
from all three posts. We can do more because we have more.
There was some rivalry and competition between posts, but those days are past, Mr. Mackey said.
“We all have something to offer,” he said. “The VFW has the largest building, the American Legion is plugging along
with us, and AMVETS has tons of energy.”
Mr. Saum agreed, adding, “Everyone seems up for it.”
Mr. Mackey believes the link-up will encourage other Schoharie County Veterans to join one of the organizations.
Also, he sees stronger veterans’ organizations in better position to welcome back soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The computer project is an outgrowth of the three groups working together. Mr. Mackey credited veteran Larry Bush
with the idea.
“The more we talked, the more we liked the idea,” said Mr. Mackey, who repairs and works with computers in his job.
The veterans received 12 surplus computers from Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School and six from the State
Police. Mr. Mackey rebuilt the machines and veterans are setting up 10 as a computer center at the VFW Hall.
The center will be for all veterans and not just members of the three posts.
Older veterans should have an easier time learning computers in such a setting, Mr. Mackey said.
“In a classroom they’ll be with a lot of young people and may not be comfortable,” he said. “Here, they’ll be with like
personalities in a more comfortable environment, the same history, the same personalities and the same needs.
Mr. Mackey and Mr. Bush plan to have the center up and running by October 1. Vets will start the basics, learning
the mouse and playing solitaire and then move on to graphics and the internet.
One plus is that users will be able to use the internet to learn about benefits and other help for veterans.
“The internet is whatever you make it to be,” Mr. Mackey said. “It can be learning, entertainment, whatever.”
The project, he added, wouldn’t have been possible without Cobleskill Veterans.
“This is not one post alone,” Mr. Mackey said. “But by pooling our resources, we could do it.”
The computer center is the first of several ventures. Mr. Saum said Cobleskill Veterans will develop driver’s
Education classes and plan to publish a newsletter.
Form new organization, begin computer center
Story by Jim Poole
Photos by Dick Danielsen
Three local veterans groups have become allies.
The Fred L. Stilson Post 57 of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5088 and AMVETS Post 175 are
now cooperating as Cobleskill Veterans, for special events and projects.
The first project, already under way, is to get veterans familiar with computers.
With veterans aging and their groups getting smaller, organizations in other areas started to join together. Cobleskill
area vets decided to do the same, said VFW Commander Don Mackey.
The three local groups will retain their identities, posts and activities but will join together for color guards, parades,
special services and other events.
“It’s very positive,” said AMVETS Commander Frank Saum. “We have a larger pool to draw from and we draw people
from all three posts. We can do more because we have more.
There was some rivalry and competition between posts, but those days are past, Mr. Mackey said.
“We all have something to offer,” he said. “The VFW has the largest building, the American Legion is plugging along
with us, and AMVETS has tons of energy.”
Mr. Saum agreed, adding, “Everyone seems up for it.”
Mr. Mackey believes the link-up will encourage other Schoharie County Veterans to join one of the organizations.
Also, he sees stronger veterans’ organizations in better position to welcome back soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The computer project is an outgrowth of the three groups working together. Mr. Mackey credited veteran Larry Bush
with the idea.
“The more we talked, the more we liked the idea,” said Mr. Mackey, who repairs and works with computers in his job.
The veterans received 12 surplus computers from Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School and six from the State
Police. Mr. Mackey rebuilt the machines and veterans are setting up 10 as a computer center at the VFW Hall.
The center will be for all veterans and not just members of the three posts.
Older veterans should have an easier time learning computers in such a setting, Mr. Mackey said.
“In a classroom they’ll be with a lot of young people and may not be comfortable,” he said. “Here, they’ll be with like
personalities in a more comfortable environment, the same history, the same personalities and the same needs.
Mr. Mackey and Mr. Bush plan to have the center up and running by October 1. Vets will start the basics, learning
the mouse and playing solitaire and then move on to graphics and the internet.
One plus is that users will be able to use the internet to learn about benefits and other help for veterans.
“The internet is whatever you make it to be,” Mr. Mackey said. “It can be learning, entertainment, whatever.”
The project, he added, wouldn’t have been possible without Cobleskill Veterans.
“This is not one post alone,” Mr. Mackey said. “But by pooling our resources, we could do it.”
The computer center is the first of several ventures. Mr. Saum said Cobleskill Veterans will develop driver’s
Education classes and plan to publish a newsletter.
Don Mackey, Commander of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5088,
demonstrates one of the 10 computers
set up at the Cobleskill VFW post as
AMVETS Commander Frank Saum
looks on. The new organization,
Cobleskill Veterans plans to provide
computer classes, internet access and
more for veterans.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5088,
demonstrates one of the 10 computers
set up at the Cobleskill VFW post as
AMVETS Commander Frank Saum
looks on. The new organization,
Cobleskill Veterans plans to provide
computer classes, internet access and
more for veterans.
Officers for the newly-formed Cobleskill
Veterans pose at a gathering
Thursday evening. From left: Eilene
Fisher, secretary; Gary Schacher, vice
chairman; Paul Angle, Treasurer; and
Larry Bush, Chairman. The new
organization brings together, for
special events, American Legion Post
57, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post
5088 and AMVETS Post 175.
Veterans pose at a gathering
Thursday evening. From left: Eilene
Fisher, secretary; Gary Schacher, vice
chairman; Paul Angle, Treasurer; and
Larry Bush, Chairman. The new
organization brings together, for
special events, American Legion Post
57, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post
5088 and AMVETS Post 175.
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