Past Department Commander Gary Schacher chosen as American Legion rep for NFL-USAA Salute to Service.
When New York Legionnaire Gary Schacher was contacted by American Legion Marketing Director Mary Jo Dial about getting on a Zoom call to discuss some details about the 2026 Army-Navy Game presented by USAA, Schacher thought the call was going be about just that.
It turned out to be a bit more.
On the Zoom call, Schacher – a past Department of New York commander – found out he will be representing The American Legion at Super Bowl LX Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Calif. He’ll watch New England and Seattle square off courtesy of the NFL’s Salute to Service, a partnership between the NFL, USAA and The American Legion to recognize military veterans across the country. USAA, the NFL’s Official Salute to Service Partner, is coordinating similar experiences with other NFL players around the league.
Being selected came out of left field for Schacher, who spent 26 years in both the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve.
“It was to discuss some logistics for the Army-Navy Game because it’s in the New York metropolitan area. I said ‘sure,’” he said. “I get on the call and there’s an executive from USAA and some other people there. We talked about the Army-Navy Game, and all of the sudden they say, ‘It’s sort of like the Super Bowl. And, by the way, you’re going to the Super Bowl.’ It was unbelievable.”
“It went right over my head. They had to say it a few times before I understood what they were saying.”
Schacher was gifted the trip to the Super Bowl by New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart, who will join other NFL players in meeting with Schacher and the other Salute to Service recipients.
“As I reflect on my first season, I’m most appreciative of the connections I’ve made with the fans and the local community who show up for us every single day,” Dart said in a statement. “To show my appreciation, I’m grateful to work with USAA and The American Legion to recognize a deserving military veteran and NFL fan, GMC Gary Schacher with a trip to the Super Bowl! Coming from a military family myself, it’s important for me to honor those who served because we wouldn’t have the chance to do what we love on Sundays without the sacrifices made by heroes like Gary.”
Life got busy for Schacher once the Super Bowl invite was shared publicly. “Once the press release went out … I got a lot of interviews to do: CBS News, New York Post, a paper in Utah and then a couple local papers here in New York,” he said.
Schacher retired from the Navy and Reserve as an E7 chief petty officer. He received four Navy Commendation Medals, three Navy Achievement Medals, Navy Expert Pistol and Expert Rifle Medals, and multiple campaign, service and unit awards.
He’s also been presented the New York Conspicuous Service Star and the New York Medal for Merit, and in 2017 Schacher was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.
He’s also spent years serving in The American Legion, including as New York’s department commander from 2018 to 2019 – the first Iraq War veteran to serve as state commander – and as aide to American Legion National Commander Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola from 2022 to 2023.
When it comes to being recognized for his service to fellow veterans, Schacher is modest. “That’s just me. When I’m going to get involved in something, I’m going to give 110 percent,” he said. “There are people that are just as involved as I am. Why did they pick me?”
But the fact he was chosen to represent The American Legion left Schacher “awestruck. Totally humbled. Amazing. I’m still in shock.”
Schacher calls himself a fan of all New York sports franchises, including both the Jets and the Giants. That loyalty has given him a rooting interest in Sunday’s game.
“Being as I’m a New York fan, and New England always beats up on New York, I’m rooting for Seattle,” he said with a laugh.
- USAA