Manhasset Legion Holds Annual Dinner Meeting

The Manhasset Post 304 of the American Legion held its annual dinner meeting on Dec. 3, at the Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club in Manhasset and enjoyed a record attendance of 58 members and guests. Vincent McCabe, 10th district, "Legionnaire of the Year" and former Post Commander, planned and arranged the function.

The dinner kicked-off the traditional holiday activities of the Post which included participation in the Memorial Service in Oyster Bay for servicemen killed in the Pearl Harbor attack, the Manhasset tree lighting ceremony, gift wrapping for deprived children and the collection of clothing and other gifts for the patients at the Veterans Nursing Home and the Veterans Rehabilitation Center at the Veterans Administration Hospital facility in Northport. The post's holiday season ended with the commander's Christmas reception on Dec. 21.

A development of particular importance to many Vietnam veterans is a change in federal law enacted in November which expands the official inclusive dates of the Vietnam War to begin on Feb. 28, 1961 in lieu of Dec. 22, 1961. The new date coincides with the day US Army advisors first accompanied South Vietnamese troops on patrol. These dates are significant because they are used in awarding government benefits to Vietnam veterans. The new date also expands membership eligibility dates of the American Legion for Vietnam veterans. New eligibility dates are from Feb. 28, 1961 (formerly Dec. 22, 1961) to May 7, 1975 (unchanged).