New York Legion Family treats first responders to free meals

American Legion Department of New York Commander Michael McDermott and the Cortland County Legion Family turned out to provide spaghetti and meatball dinners to first responders from throughout the county on May 5.

“It was fantastic,” McDermott said. “We served 235 dinners and had lots of help. We really worked as a team.”

The Legion Family arranged for fire, police and ambulance services from the county, including state troopers, to safely pick up the dinners. After they drove up, Legion Family members wearing masks would load their vehicles and then the first responders departed, McDermott explained.

In addition, Legion Family members delivered 15 dinners to the Emergency Department staff at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center in Cortland.

McDermott said the Legion wanted to show appreciation for the people on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, especially since many are military veterans.

The response exceeded his expectations. “I can’t believe how big this has gotten,” he said.