New York Post 282 wants gaming to become a program that attracts younger veterans, develops future leaders.
A concept eight months in the making became a reality in late December for American Legion Post 282 in upstate New York.
On Dec. 21, five gaming stations were installed at Post 282 in West Bloomfield. It was a collaboration with the nation’s largest veteran gaming community, Regiment Gaming, and custom PC builder Paradox Customs – and born from an idea of first-term Post 282 Commander Anthony Gaiter.
In March, 31-year-old Gaiter, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, reached out to Chris Earl, the CEO and founder of Regiment Gaming, which has collaborated with Paradox Customs to assist in setting up gaming stations at multiple American Legion posts. He shared his vision for Post 282’s gaming program.
“He said, ‘It sounds fantastic. Go ahead. Let me know what you’re going to need from me,’” Gaiter said. “From there, it was pitching it to the membership. It was actually heard really well. They received it well, and they gave me the greenlight to push forward.”
Between March and December, Gaiter utilized both Post 282’s Legion Family and networking with local businesses and other organizations to fundraise for the gaming station. The effort was able to raise $20,000 to set up the stations on Dec. 21.
“I think what is was … it was brand new,” Gaiter said of the successful fundraising. “It was nothing anyone had talked about, brought up or anything like that. I think a lot of the community, a lot of the veterans, a lot of the Legion Family is kind of ready for something new. Something fresh. Something to really reach out and make a difference. Something we’ve not tried before. And I think that was the biggest appeal: We need something to break out from this rut to really try to make a difference. This was that.”
Donations came from members of the community, as well as from within. “In our location, we’re kind of in the middle of nowhere,” Gaiter said. “It was quite a feat. We were very fortunate to find support in our community, amongst our Legion Family and even from some of the other Legion posts that were behind us. It was really fantastic to see that unity come into play for this cause.”
Gaiter said he wants gaming to become a regular American Legion program that grows throughout the department, “Treating it like a program similar to the (American Legion Riders). Appoint or elect officers for this program. Let the group kind of guide the direction of this program. And in turn, be able to ingrain that sense of belonging that we’re trying to establish. To then be able to provide these resources and make a difference, especially in the mental health of veterans and their families. This will be an opportunity for the Legion Family – to come together in this program, work it like a program, guide it like a program and develop it as this would attain and attract younger veterans. Develop their leadership skills, and in turn potentially develop future (leaders).”
Gaiter himself is a gamer and has seen the value of how it brings veterans together.
“It’s something we can all connect with as far as that escape from reality, that delving into one common mission. All things that we were training from basic (training) to do,” he said. “We delve into one common mission. Commit to that. Connect with that. It’s an icebreaker where we’re playing this game, and the person is playing the same game next to you. It’s an immediate icebreaker. It eliminates that potential awkward communication.
“Connect with them. Talk with them. Build that relationship with them. That’s something that a lot of veterans can absolutely connect with.”
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