America250, American Legion serve together on 9/11

Thousands of volunteers – from the corporate world, the military, non-government organizations, pro sports, the banking industry, America250, the Peace Corps, The American Legion, faith-based groups and many others – gathered onboard the USS Intrepid in New York City Wednesday, 9/11, to fill over 2 million boxes of non-perishable food for distribution to area people in need.

“Especially today, on 9/11, it means a lot,” American Legion Department of New York Commander Keith Koster said after rolling up his sleeves, donning a blue hairnet and putting in a two-hour shift preparing jambalaya mixes alongside other Legionnaires and America250 Chair Rosie Rios. “I lived in Brooklyn for a while, so for me, it’s kind of like bringing something back home.”

Koster joined American Legion 9-11 Memorial Post 2001 Commander Sean Powers, National Headquarters Executive Director James Baca and Rios at a VIP packing table that filled and sealed bag after bag with speedy efficiency as dozens of other table teams on the mid-day shift buzzed to keep pace.

“It was good,” said Koster, a U.S. Navy veteran and cancer survivor, after helping fulfill his group’s share of boxes filled over two days as part of the 8th NYC Meal Pack event for the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, or “9/11 Day.” “Everyone had their little role,” Koster said of the VIP team. “I had the rice. I had to wait until somebody put in the spices. I put the rice in, and the beans after the rice, and then they bagged it and sent it down. And we started over again. We had to have it all timed out, doing it in the right order.”

The American Legion’s top officer in New York did not have time to ponder that the signature of one of his packing mates appears on $1.2 trillion in U.S. currency. Rios, U.S. Treasurer from 2009 to 2016, was appointed by President Biden to chair the United States Semiquincentennial Commission in July 2022.

Of his two hours working alongside the 43rd U.S. Treasurer, Koster said “we didn’t have a lot of time to talk. We were actually focused on what we were doing. We got down to about four seconds per bag, or something like that, so it was a pretty quick turn-around.”

The United States Semiquincentennial Commission leads American Legion-involved America250, a multi-faceted initiative leading up to the nation’s 250th anniversary, July 4, 2026. American Legion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission Chairman Autrey James of California serves on the America250 Servicemembers Advisory Council.

The NYC Meal Pack event annually brings together diverse volunteer groups to confront food insecurity. It was also a perfect fit for America250 to advance one of its eight key pathways to celebrate the nation’s anniversary – America Gives.

“Service has always been at the heart of America’s story, from the first volunteer fire brigades to the incredible efforts of organizations like the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps,” Rios posted on X after the food-packing event on the Intrepid.  “As we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I’m thrilled to preview America Gives – a year-round initiative that aims to make 2026 the largest year of service in our nation’s history. Whether through charitable giving, volunteering, or public service, there’s a role for everyone in this journey.”

Carol Spahn, director of the Peace Corps, said service such as the 9/11Meal Pack – which was executed by more than 9,000 volunteers in 21 cities nationwide – is an American characteristic that cannot be understated. “Part of the 250th story is celebrating how America gives and how America gives around the world,” she said, noting that the Peace Corps has deployed more than 240,000 American volunteers to 143 countries over the last 63 years, helping with food, education, health and other needs. “Part of our mission is to bring America to the world, and to bring the world back home to America.”

Powers said he was impressed with the energy inside the USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, where the massive packing party – punctuated with prayers and bell ringing to remember the losses of Sept. 11, 2001 – was conducted. “There was an absolute vibe in there,” explained Powers, a front-line first responder on 9/11 whose post has been housed onboard the historic ship since soon after the terrorist attacks. “Doing something positive for the community, that’s what The American Legion does. That’s what we are. We give back.”

 “We might not all be as big as New York City, but we help our communities back through our own home posts,” said Koster, who explained that he will encourage New York's 808 Legion posts to engage with state and local America250 committees and find ways to collaborate.

Framed under three terms – “engage, eduate and unite” – the America250 program portfolio includes America’s Invitation, to share current stories by Americans to show the nation’s identity at 250; America’s Field Trip, a student essay and art contest wrapped around the question “What does America mean to you?”; America Gives, a multi-year year-round effort that focuses on community service and support; America’s Culture to showcase the nation’s diverse pallet of art forms and creative expression; Our American Story, a compilation of oral histories; America Innovates, a “traveling tech expo” that celebrates the nation’s great innovations; America Waves, where communities are invited to come together and wave their flags in celebration of the 250th anniversary; a time capsule; and July 4, 2026, activation plans.