Freeland American Legion Post 473 Presents Donation to Marywood University's Student Veteran Alliance (SVA)

Freeland American Legion Post 473 presented a $1,000 donation to Marywood University's Student Veteran Alliance (SVA) Project at their regularly scheduled meeting held on Thursday, October 4. In the four years since its inception, the project has raised over $28,000 for Dog T.A.G.S. (Train Assist Guide Serve), a service dog owner training program for veterans suffering from service connected PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and/or TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Through the program the veteran trains his/her personal dog with the help of experienced dog trainers. Veterans, who have served in conflicts from Vietnam to present day Iraq and Afghanistan, have benefited from the program.

Taking part in the check presentation were (from left): front row: Michael Burdette, Sergeant-at-Arms; Tom Pagano, 2nd Vice-Commander; Paul Thomas, Secretary; Christopher Smith, Director of Military & Veteran Services at Marywood University, Scranton; Jerry Gaffney, Commander and Amber Viola, Public Relations for the SVA at Marywood University. Back row: John Davis, 1st Vice-Commander; Carl Pecora, Treasurer, and Tom Herman, Judge Advocate.