Just in time for Veterans Day, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, New York’s senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced $300,000 in federal funding to support critical upgrades at the American Legion Continental Post #1424 in Forest Hills.
The funds will facilitate essential repairs and improvements at the post’s facility at 107-15 Metropolitan Ave., boosting its capacity to serve local veterans and host community events. Planned renovations include structural repairs and accessibility upgrades, ensuring that the post remains a welcoming and functional space for all.
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Meng has long advocated for federal support for veterans’ services and organizations. In recent years, she has secured funding for several veterans’ groups across Queens, including the American Legion. Her support has allowed Post #1424 to host veterans’ events, community gatherings, and annual ceremonies such as the longstanding Forest Hills Memorial Day Parade, which has been a local tradition for decades.
“The American Legion Continental Post #1424 in Forest Hills has done tremendous work for local veterans and the community,” said Meng. “Its members deserve a location that is up to date and in a state of good repair, and this federal funding that I fought to obtain will ensure that this building receives the upgrades and renovations it deserves. We can never thank our veterans enough for the sacrifices they have made to our nation. We need to always be there for them, and that is why assisting veterans has constantly been a top priority of mine. I look forward to these repairs helping to better serve area veterans and the community.”
The funding will be directed toward repairing critical infrastructure issues at the post, including warped floors, exposed wiring, and cracked walls and ceilings. The upgrades will also improve the facility’s kitchen and bathroom accessibility, providing a more inclusive space for veterans with disabilities.
“The veterans of Post #1424 are truly grateful to Congresswoman Meng for providing this critical funding,” said Post Commander Michael Arcati. “The funds will greatly improve our space and allow it to continue to serve as a haven for local veterans and community service space for the next generation.”
The American Legion Continental Post #1424, in partnership with the Forest Hills Kiwanis Club, will host a Veterans Day breakfast at the West Side Tennis Club, located at 1 Tennis Place in Forest Hills Gardens, on Monday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The event invites active, reserve, Guard, retired, and former service members from Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens, and Richmond Hill to gather in honor of Veterans Day.
Following the breakfast, Post #1424 will host a Veterans Day party at its Forest Hills facility from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The afternoon celebration is open to Legion members, their families, auxiliary members, friends of the Legion, and invited guests, providing an extended opportunity for camaraderie and community support in honor of local veterans.
The American Legion was established in 1919, following World War I, with the mission of supporting U.S. veterans and their families. It became one of the nation’s largest wartime veterans’ organizations and was instrumental in advocating for the original G.I. Bill, which provided educational and housing benefits to veterans. With thousands of posts across the country, including numerous locations in New York, the Legion has consistently provided a space for camaraderie, support, and community service. Post #1424 has served the Forest Hills community for more than 60 years, building a legacy as a community hub and host of charitable events and local traditions.
