Giving Rye is a feature series highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Fred de Barros of American Legion Post 128.
Your Name: Fred de Barros
Name of your organization: American Legion Post 128, Rye, NY
Your role: Commander
Tell us your organization’s mission
Barros: The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in March 1919, shortly after the end of World War I as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veteran’s service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.
How long have you operated in or around Rye?
Barros: Rye Post #128 was chartered on July 16, 1919 and was the first veterans organization in the City of Rye. Among the original charter members were such pillars of the Rye community as Stuyvesant Wainwright, Martin F. Kirby, and J. Mayhew Wainwright.
Our membership today is composed of a broad section of our community such as business executives, judges, philanthropists, police officers, firemen, contractors, bankers, construction workers, homemakers, city councilors, clergy, etc.… whose common denominator is that they served their country with pride and honor in wars from WWI to the present.
What programming or work is the organization best known for?
Barros:
- Patriotic Activities: We organize the City of Rye Memorial Day services – the largest patriotic event in the community. Our Auxiliary is the lead organizer of the annual City of Rye Memorial Day parade. We also organize the annual Veterans Day services on Veterans Day, November 11.
- Local Youth Programs: We present scholarships to high school students based on an essay contest (Memorial Day and Dempsy scholarship to Rye high senior); we provide funding support for seniors and youth activities at Rye Recreation; we support the Rye Boys Scouts.
- Veterans Support: We donate funds to Montrose Veterans Administration Hospital to support enrichment activities to patients there. We’ve contributed over $100,000 in the past seven years.
Looking forward to 2026, what will be your top initiatives?
Barros:
- Organize and enhance patriotic activities in Rye: Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
- Continue our support of local youth programs.
- Enhance support of our veteran community.
Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved with your programming and services.
Barros: Local youth programs, community organizations and veteran organizations can apply for funding support by contacting the Post.
Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status?
Barros: Yes. We recently were approved as 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status.
Looking back across 2025, what were your organization’s top achievements?
Barros:
- Memorial Day parade and ceremony; and Veterans Day ceremony
- Funding local youth programs
- Support of veteran patients at Montrose VA Hospital
How can local residents support your organization?
Barros:
- Veterans can join the Post and participate in our activities
- Sons and daughters of a veteran can join as Sons of American Legion or the Auxiliary
- Local citizens can contribute funds to the post.
All information about membership qualification and donations can be found on the Post 128 website.
What local Rye residents and area businesses have been the longest, steadiest supporters of your organization?
Barros: Our largest supporters are participants in the Memorial Day Hundy Golf Tournament at Rye Golf organized by Terry McCartney, a Rye Post 128 Legionnaire, and US Marine Corps veteran. Thanks to the players in that tournament, the Post can execute our breadth of activities serving Rye and local veterans.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Barros: I have served as Commander of American Legion Post 128 for 6 years.
Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer?
Barros: This is a volunteer position. I work part time for the Rye YMCA.
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Barros: Engaging.
Where did you grow up?
Barros: I moved to Rye as an infant with my parents and two brothers. I grew up in Rye and have lived here all my life.
What principles guide you when you have to make a difficult decision?
Barros: I first try to make the decision as soon as possible. I will sometimes ask for others’ opinions if needed. I focus on the desired results while considering what I am about to do to be honest, open and in everyone’s best interest.
Can you share a time when failure taught you more than success ever could?
Barros: I was a soldier in the US Army infantry. I was on patrol with my scout dog walking point in a jungle of Vietnam when a shot rang out from above striking the man behind me. I had assumed that my dog would detect the enemy even 20 feet above us. I learned from this event to never assume anything, it could result in serious consequences.
What excites you most about the future—for yourself or for the world?
Barros: One of the many things that excites me is continuing to be part of my local American Legion Post. An organization that has such a positive impact on my community and beyond.
Where do you live and how many years have you lived there?
Barros: I have lived on Theodore Fremd Avenue for the past four years.
Thanks Fred!
