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Community Corner

Heroes Among Us: The American Legion Series

Commander Edward G. Aulman

Here at Patch, we're all about community pride. We continue our series on Syosset's spirit, highlighting members of the American Legion. Home to 162 members, many of which were (are) captains of industry in and around town, these men and women served in active duty during wartime. American Legion Post 175 is named after Eugene S. Smith.  

The newest American Legion commander, Edward G. Aulman, is a natural-born leader. Aulman has been in a bevy of roles where his leadership skills positively affected those around him. Aulman has operated businesses ranging from platemaking to a local deli and even takes the reins as a TV talk show host. But Aulman's passion is to help improve the quality of life for veterans.

Aulman, a Post 175 member since 1990, was sworn in on June 24 in a ceremony presided over by American Legion County Commander Frank Colon Jr. and a team including 3rd Division Commander Louise McCann, Adjutant Joseph Reale and Treasurer Andy Booth.

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"I envision the American Legion will have a more definitive and significant role in the Syosset community," says Aulman. "You'll be seeing more about us in and around town."

After Aulman graduated from St. John's University in 1968, he became a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. During his 13-month tour in Vietnam, Aulman was a rifle platoon commander and battalion intelligence officer, where he says he had to pinpoint enemy locations.

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As a first lieutenant and commander of troops at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aulman married Beverly Royce from Oyster Bay.  They have one daughter and one grandson.   
 
After returning from Vietnam in 1970, Aulman, a longtime Syosset resident who attended St. Dominic's High School in Oyster Bay, settled back in town and purchased Jet PlateMaking Service, Inc., where he spent 10 years in the graphics-printing industry. He then owned Aulman's Deli in Syosset and went on to become a delivery supervisor for Wonder Bread for 20 years. 
 
In February 2002, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi appointed Aulman as Director of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, where he served until last December.

Aulman tirelessly works to help veterans of war.  He secured $375,000 in grants to help homeless veterans and conducted 11 "Homeless Veterans Stand Downs" (providing food, showers, haircuts to veterans) that brought together 30 government and private social service agencies and hundreds of veteran volunteers to help veterans find jobs and benefits.

In addition, Aulman conducted four job fairs for veterans and implemented the "Warriors to Work Program," a public-private partnership to provide employment opportunities for veterans.  The agency also helped veterans secure over $1.4 million in pension and disability benefits.

Aulman just finished his 70th episode hosting Veterans News, the United Veterans Organization's monthly television program on Cablevision Public Access Channel 20.

"The show is taped once a month but runs every Friday night," Aulman says. "We have guests who are veterans or are familiar with veterans' needs such as benefits or services in order to share information and help one another."

Created by Congress in 1919, the American Legion is the nation's largest patriotic veterans organization, devoted to mutual helpfulness, mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs, and devotion to our fellow service members and veterans. The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization using grassroots campaigns to influence legislation in Washington.

The American Legion has 2.6 million members throughout 14,000 worldwide posts (55 various departments including one for each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Philippines). The Legion isn't about politicking but is issue-driven to improve the quality of the lives and rights of veterans. They rely on membership and greatly need the community's help and support.

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