BUFFALO, N.Y. — In honor of National Veterans and Military Families month, Spectrum News 1 is taking a look at some of the good being done in our communities.
One group doing that is the American Legion Post 1928, named after Gabriel A. Rodriguez.
“We used to always look up to him a lot,” said Benny Rodriguez, the Gabriel A. Rodriguez Post 1928 American Legion commander.
Gabriel was Benny’s older brother and his protector.
“When we need to go out and shine shoes, my brother would be the manager. We would take him the money and he will save it for us because he was the biggest brother of us,” said Benny.
After serving in the Army during the Vietnam War, he came back different.
“He seemed like he never got away from the war,” said Benny.
They were issues that were only named years later.
“He attempted a few times to take his life that that hurt us all," Benny said. "We weren't understanding what he was going through.”
Post-traumatic stress disorder did end Gabriel’s life in 1981, but he wasn’t forgotten. A few years later, the Gabriel A. Rodriguez Post 1928 of the American Legion was born.
“It was a proud moment for everybody involved,” said Benny.
It the first Hispanic American Legion in Western New York.
“We all had good ideas, especially to help our veterans, especially to help out the community in in any way we can,” Benny said.
Membership waned over the years. For some time, the post was dormant. Last year, it came back.
“It was in my heart," he said. "To do this.”
There are close to 50 members already.
“A lot of people look at an American Legion Post and they think a bunch of military guys drinking beer and having these great parties and 'oorah' around telling war stories, but this post is not like that," explained Ricardo Estrada, the Gabriel A. Rodriguez Post 1928 American Legion adjutant. This post is driven pretty much by the values of the American Legion.”
From fundraisers to suit drives, and even cleaning up the Hispanic American Veterans Memorial at Naval Park, where Gabriel's name is inscribed, they keep his memory alive and use it to fuel their actions.
To the Rodriguez family and the veteran community surrounding them, these are ways to make sure Gabriel’s story is remembered. Even to this day, it’s one that’s all too familiar.
Recently, Gabriel was honored in Washington D.C. He was one of many who lost their lives after the war ended.
“I have a lot of friends and family members and just people that I know who have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and who just go unrecognized," said Estrada. "That disease is very dangerous, that disorder is horrific, and if you don't understand it, you can't value it.”
This group offers a community and connections to help for anyone who needs it. It's a call to action the Post carries with it every day.
“A tribute to those we carried, and to those we can no longer hold,” said Benny, as he looked at the Battle Within Monument at Naval Park. It's dedicated to those who lost their battle with PTSD. Gabriel's picture is one of many put up there.
Now the Post is looking to the next generation to carry the torch forward.
The Gabriel A Rodriguez American Legion Post 1928 is open to veterans of all backgrounds. They hope to eventually have an office specifically dedicated to those dealing with PTSD.