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One of the oldest predominantly Black American Legion posts stands in Syracuse’s Westcott neighborhood. After it was saved by additional funding last year, American Legion Dunbar Post 1642 remains a hub for Black history in the Syracuse community.

Started in 1919 after World War I, the American Legion aims to support veterans and their families, Dunmore said. The Dunbar Post was created in 1947 when Black World War II veterans weren’t accepted into other posts upon returning from war. The post, now 78 years old, continues to welcome Black veterans through its doors and serves as a safe haven for Syracuse veterans.

“We were not initially invited to attend other post meetings, so we started our own,” Post Commander Herb Dunmore said.

Nationally, the American Legion also works to support local youth through a number of programs, like citizenship and leadership immersion programs for high school students. There are over 12,000 American Legion posts around the world and more than half a million members, Dunmore said.

Dunmore has served as the post commander since 2016. As a Vietnam War veteran, the post connects him to other veterans, he said. Dunmore said he’s always looking for grants to improve the post’s services and make sure it has enough money to keep its doors open. For Dunmore, the post functions as a “second home,” giving him friendships like no other.

“We have a place that we can call our own and be of support to others who may have experienced any racism or bigotry within the service and to know their value as much as any other soldier,” Dunmore said.

The 62-member post operates as both a social hub and business. Every Friday, the post hosts a fish fry, welcoming Syracuse community members to do business with them, Finance Officer Marion Ervin said. Along with fried fish, the post sells barbecue ribs, chicken wings and serves drinks. The proceeds from the fish fry support the post’s programs and day-to-day operations, like working with Syracuse youth and providing book scholarships to local students, he said.

Avery Magee | Asst. Photo Editor

Richard Martin and Sue Threat prepare weekly meals at American Legion Dunbar Post 1642 for local veterans.

“We bet enough off that basic activity to pay the basic bills. We get donations from people, groups, other members. We don’t have to pay any labor,” Ervin said.
Ervin, a Vietnam War veteran and 1968 Syracuse University graduate, said the American Legion provides its members with a sense of camaraderie. Being in the military has provided Ervin with a number of life lessons and skills he carries with him everyday, he said.

The post is also home to Dunbar Post 1642 Auxiliary, led by president Sheila Newport-Jenkins. The Auxiliary units of American Legions are composed of mothers, spouses, daughters, granddaughters and grandmothers of veterans. The main goal of the Auxiliary is to support the post in all of its endeavors, Newport-Jenkins said.

“Each unit does their own thing, so what we do at Dunbar is not necessarily what they do at Cicero or what they do at Skaneateles, but the bottom line is the Auxiliary always supports the Legion,” Newport-Jenkins said.

The post’s members are mostly African American, but the post is open to people of all races and ethnicities, Dunmore said. To Dunmore, the most important thing is a good attitude and willingness to benefit the post.

“I don’t care what color you are to join our post, as long as you have the right attitude and a character to support and serve,” Dunmore said.

Located at the corner of Dell Street and Columbus Avenue, the 127-year-old post requires its fair share of repairs and maintenance, Ervin said. Over the past years, the post has received about $200,000 in grants from New York state, Ervin said. The grants, along with donations from local organizations like The Allyn Foundation, have helped secure a new roof and upcoming restorations for the kitchen and bathrooms.

“By the time we finish, hopefully 95% by the end of August, that building, in the last five years, will essentially be completely renovated,” Ervin said.

Avery Magee | Asst. Photo Editor

American Legion Dunbar Post 1642 in Syracuse’s Westcott neighborhood services local veterans in the community.

The post plans to take on siding and roofing as the final touches of its renovation project. Members also hope to repair the chimney and repave the parking lot soon, Ervin said. There are a number of avenues that provide the post with grants, from the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services to the state itself, Ervin said.

The Auxiliary also holds fundraisers and events to give back and financially support the post, Newport-Jenkins said, and works with local youth through programming too. Each year, the Auxiliary holds a Halloween party for local Syracuse youth, she said. It’s a way to work with the community and bring more people out to the post. Further Auxiliary fundraising efforts include bake sales and working banquet halls, she said.

The post aims to support all aspects of the Syracuse community, not only veterans’ affairs, Dunmore said. Through its grants and youth programs, the post hopes to continue conducting business and outreach with the community.

“We support as much as we can, wherever we can,” Dunmore said.

The post is filled with conversations about old war wounds and military training, Dunmore said. Members come together to share their stories. Their experiences have helped to build their characters, and their service is what connects them all.

Ervin hopes more veterans in the Syracuse area join the post — or one of the 19 other American Legion posts in Onondaga County — to benefit from the community as he has.

“(The military) is made up of that middle 80% of the population. We’re good, solid people and you learn a lot,” Ervin said.

Published on March 6, 2025 at 1:51 am

Contact Sydney: sabrocki@syr.edu