SSgt PAUL A. SWEENEY (Namesake).  The original HAMLIN POST 807, formed by 18 men on June 4, 2003, met at J & J's Bar and Grill, then the Salem Masonic Lodge in Hamlin.  Although without a permanent home, these comrades soon setttled into the Hamlin Senior Center, quickly established a Sons of the American Legion Squadron and an American Legion Auxiiary Unit.  Hamlin Post 807, a small group initially, participated in both the Hamlin and Lake Ariel Fireman's parades and organized several golf tournaments in Skytop and Honesdale, PA.  Their American Legion Family became Santa's helpers in Hamlin ,2003. selling hundreds of Christmas trees to benefit homeless veterans.

November 13, 2003, Hamlin Post chartered their name change to their namesake, STAFF Sgt. PAUL A SWEENEY MEMORIAL POST 807.  SSgt Sweeney was a valiant Special Forces Communications Sergeant assigned to Co. A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Grp (Airborne), Ft. Bragg, NC.  Sweeney was killed October 30, 2003, when his unit was ambushed while on patrol north of Musa Qala, Afghanistan. 

Paul Sweeney was also an honorary New York Fire Department (NYFD) member for his contributions at ground zero during 9-11 in New York City.  He carried a tattered piece of an American flag from ground zero during his Afghanistan missions.  He was a true American hero!  SSgt Sweeney was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Our Post honors all veterans from all wars, acknowledging that "All Gave Some, Some Gave All".

SSgt Paul A. Sweeney Post 807 continued to hold meetings at the Senior Center in Hamlin, allowing us to save money toward our purchase someday of a permanent meeting hall.  We continued to search for the perfect building.  Later, after a few years and rather discouraged, we searched for the perfect property to build our home upon.  Finally, after about six years, we realized the Senior Center had become our "permanent home".  The Senior Center and SSgt Paul A. Sweeney Post 807 put up both a flag pole and a combined sign next to the highway.  These served as advertisements of both our American pride and unique, mutual relationship.  We are provided a great meeting hall and galley.  Our savings provides more support to our veterans and the Legion's Four Pillars.