Michael Schloemer moved from Brooklyn to Highland in 2015 and became a member of the American Legion Post 193 and is now the Commander.

“I became an officer pretty fast and then 1st Vice Commander and then took over as Commander in 2019,” he said. “The Commander handles the day to day operations and makes sure Veterans receive a military funeral when requested by the family. We participate in Flag Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day and we provide the hall on Grand Street for the community to rent if they have celebration or an event they want to hold there.”

Schloemer said he is particularly proud to fold the American Flag at a memorial service for a Veteran and present it to the family.

“I thank them for their loved one’s selfless service and let them know the country appreciates their service,” he said.

Schloemer said the Legion helps Veterans who may be going through some emotional difficulty and also makes sure they obtain all of the health benefits they are entitled to receive. There are also service connection benefits available if they were hurt while serving in the military. He has also connected Vets with the Ulster County Veteran Services Agency in Kingston.

“I helped one lady from Georgia a little more than a week ago who was going through a PTSD crisis. I helped her to get in contact with the Montrose Veterans Home PTSD unit and I think she has a date coming up to go there,” he said.

Schloemer joined the military in 1998 when he was 31 years old.

“I was older than my drill Sergeants and my Commander,” he said. “I was a triple volunteer, as a paratrooper, an infantryman and for the 75th ranger regiment, which was special operations.” He served a year tour of duty in Kosovo in the Balkans.

Schloemer said unlike the current divisions in society, when you serve in the military you serve with people from all walks of life and any political or ideological differences, “go right out the window because you are there for your battle buddy, the guy right next to you. You don’t care what nationality, what race or what creed, you all volunteered to be in the military and you have each other’s back, which brings people closer together and you really appreciate what America is really about.” He said serving in the military is a selfless sacrifice; “the service is an honorable trade.”

Schloemer urges any Veteran to join the American Legion Lloyd Post 193. He can be reached at 718-928-5049.