Frank Oliveri has taken command of American Legion Post 144 for the second time in four years with a mission in mind.
The longtime Albertson resident wants to upgrade Post 144’s headquarters at 730 Willis Ave., which he said have fallen into a state of disrepair.
“I want to get things done. Things needed to be done,” said Oliveri, who officially took over as Post 144 commander last month.
He said he has already set up a committee to hire an architect, inspect the building and advise the members on what repairs are needed. Then he plans to meet with elected officials to strategize on how to secure the funds that will be required.
“We’ve already got the verbal support from our elected officials,” Oliveri said.
Oliveri, who has lived in Albertson with his wife, Elaine, for the past 39 years, has been a member of Post 144 since 2000. He was 1st vice commander in 2009-10 when the previous commander resigned and he took over. He was subsequently elected to the position for 2010-11.
Post 144 Commander Jack Afonso talked him into joining in 2000, and he’s enjoyed serving as banquet manager and chairman of the committees for Memorial Day and Williston Park Day, Oliveri said.
“I did committee work, which took a lot of time,” he said.
Oliveru said he had a time on his hands after retiring from his job as director of sewer and wastewater operations for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, where he worked for 32 years.
But based on his experience in the U.S. Army National Guard, Oliveri was an unlikely candidate for service in the American Legion.
Oliveri, who earned a degree in aeronautical engineering, joined the National Guard after he was laid off from the Northrop Grumman Corp. after two years. His original intention was to apply for officer training.
But, he said, he received a rude reception that included physical abuse when he reported for active duty to Fort Campbell, Ky.
“The captain and the sergeant let you know they didn’t like New Yorkers or National Guardsmen,” Oliveri said.
During physical training, he said, his sergeant repeatedly kicked him in the stomach when he didn’t perform to is satisfaction. The abuse, he said, eventually caused his stomach to rupture and led to a serious kidney condition that hospitalized him for much of his service. On two occasions, he said, he was given last rites.
At one point, he said, he experienced a seizure that led to the discovery of kidney failure. His sergeant showed up in his hospital room with his captain, demanding that he get out of bed and salute his superior officer.
A doctor, who was also a colonel, was summoned, told the sergeant and captain that Oliveri was now part of his hospital company and ordered them to leave.
“Thank God for that colonel,” Oliveri said.
The colonel who protected him was also the doctor who cured him, putting him on a kidney dialysis regimen that eventually restored his kidneys to full function.
After he had served for 180 days, he was released from service as a disabled veteran.
He said he attempted to sue the Army for the physical abuse, but the sergeant denied what he had done and Oliveri lost the case.
“That’s past now,” he said. “It’s a miracle that I’m alive.”
He said he enjoys participating in Post 144 activities to demonstrate his patriotism.
Post 144 members regularly visit veterans in the Northport VA Hospital and attend stand-downs that provide assistance to veterans in need of food, clothes and jobs.
The post also runs a blood drive for the American Red Cross each May, organizes the commemoration for Memorial Day and supports the Williston Park July 4th Parade.
The veterans also run dances in the fall and spring for special needs children and hold an annual Christmas part at Post 144 for local children.
And under his leadership, Oliveri hopes to restore Post 144’s headquarters so it can keep serving the community for years to come.
