One after another, these closings break my heart. And we can help them avoid this fate!

WSTM Syracuse reports:

A Syracuse American Legion Post that was one of the first in the country to welcome African American veterans is struggling to keep its doors open.

Herb Dunmore, Commander of the Dunbar American Legion Post 1642 said the building housing the post's 125-year-old headquarters is badly in need of repairs and the post does not have the funds it needs to fix it.

"It's going to cost at least $90,000 to complete repairs to the building.

"If we have leaks, the building is going to shut down because we can't operate, and if we can't operate than we can't pay our bills and if we can't pay our bills than we might as well shutdown," he said.

My name is Kenny DeAndrea. My organization, Patriot Project USA, is helping American Legion posts attract younger vets by refitting them, to offer value relevant to today’s vets.

You have to understand, the American Legion posts were started for a different generation- with different needs.

In the old days, some of these posts were not much more than a bar for vets.

But these days, vets need help to deal with PTSD and suicidal thoughts. REAL help- not alcohol- is the trick.

Without services that help younger vets, the number of American Legion posts is decreasing because fewer vets join them.

If you don’t effectively treat PTSD…. Well, that’s how you get 22 to 44 veteran suicides every day.

The partnership we have with the American Legion will give these venerable posts new life! It will also help the very vets who are most in danger of suicide.

Remember those 22 vets who take their own lives every day? Think of them when you give to this project.

Your $22 donation helps us get a vet a membership at the American Legion, so we can serve him.

Your $220 donation helps us pay for hours of pastoral counseling, or training in healthy living.

Your $2200 donation helps us find that vet a job, or a place to live, or other basic services that gives him hope!

This is legacy defining. Help me make a difference!         Semper Fi, Kenny DeAndrea