Activation display allows Legionnaires to interact with students, alums and other veterans ahead of kickoff, sharing information on programs that included Be the One.
On Dec. 12, The American Legion’s Be the One activation unit will be on full display at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. It will be the third year as the Legion serving as an associate sponsor of the Army-Navy Game presented by USAA.
But the Legion’s involvement with both service academies is no longer limited to just “America’s Game.” In 2025, a smaller activation display was on site for the U.S. Naval Academy’s homecoming game and was present again in late October for Navy’s 2026 homecoming.
And on Nov. 7, Department of New York Legionnaires and American Legion staff spent hours interacting with fans in attendance at the Army-Air Force game at the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, N.Y.
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With a prime location in Black Knights Alley – located along one of two routes to a free concert provided by country music star Thomas Rhett via USAA’s Military Appreciation Concert – the display saw constant foot traffic from late afternoon until just before kickoff.
In addition to passing out American Legion-branded items – including 400 suitcase tags, 250 Army-Navy Game scarves and more than 100 Be the One lanyards – those working the booth also were able to interact with alums from both service academies, other veterans and even USMA cadets.
In addition to good-natured ribbing with the Air Force alums and fans – both New York American Legion display volunteers are Army veterans – they also were able to share information about American Legion programs and advocacy, as well as about the organization’s veteran suicide prevention mission, Be the One.
“I believe it’s one of the best ways to promote ourselves as The American Legion to veterans, but to younger veterans,” Department of New York Statewide Service Officer Eilene Fisher said. “Being a (veteran service officer) for now going on 19 years, and now a department service officer, I am literally all about veteran suicide. It’s too common. Today was about making contact with them and talking with them about what the program is, but also asking them if they’re in the Legion and involved in their community. That’s what this provides.
““I truly believe that it’s a phenomenal way to make contact with veterans and reach out, like with the Be the One program. “
Department of New York Adjutant Gary Schacher also worked the Legion’s display. “I just like promoting The American Legion,” he said. “You’ve got two big veteran universities here. It’s just great to share what we do with these young soon-to-be officers.”
Schacher was happy to see the Legion begin its associate sponsorship of the Army-Navy Game two years ago and then see that relationship expand to Army’s and Navy’s campuses.
“I think it’s great. I wondered for years why we weren’t at the Army-Navy Game,” Schacher said. “I’ve probably gone the last 18, 19 years, and it’s really good to see The American Legion now at Army-Navy games, and now at these other games.”
And even though Navy and Air Force are rivals, “It’s one all team, one fight at the end of the day,” Schacher said.
Several American Legion Family members stopped by the display prior to kickoff, representing departments as far away as Colorado, Florida and Ohio, as well as those in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Chris Dube, a member of American Legion Post 79 in Madison, Conn., and a member of the East Lyme, Conn., Police Department, was one of those stopping by the display. A U.S. Army veteran, he also is pleased to see the Legion involved with both “America’s Game” and the respective schools, as well as using the platform to promote Be the One.
“I think it’s incredible,” Dube said. “The Legion does a lot for our veterans and active duty. Myself, being my police department’s peer-support coordinator, I’m very well aware of mental health issues and the importance of being someone to reach out and make sure that we lessen the suicide rates between our first responders and our servicemembers.”
Fisher, a member of Timothy Murphy Post 248 in Middleburg, said having a presence like the Legion did in Annapolis and West Point, as well as in the upcoming Army-Navy Game, is an important part of community outreach.
“I think it’s important that we make the effort to go to these games and to do whatever we can do in our community, because even though I’m a white-cap (Legionnaire) now, I believe the blue cap is where we have to be,” she said. “I’ve said this for years.”
Watch the Army-Navy Game at 3 p.m. ET Dec. 12 on CBS. And learn more about the Legion’s association sponsorship here.
- Be the One