Local LegionPost Member Elected Commander of American Legion Department of New York

NIAGARA FALLS — U.S. Navy veteran Keith Koster, a member of Adirondack Post 70 in Saratoga Springs for more than 26 years, was elected commander of the American Legion Department of New York at the 106th Annual Department Convention, July 17-19 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center.

Koster, a cancer survivor who climbed all 46 Adirondack peaks to commemorate The American Legion Centennial in 2019, will serve a one-year term. 

 While in the U.S. Navy, Koster served as an electronic warfare technician aboard the USS Suribaci during the 1980s. His service included deployment to the Mediterranean. After his honorable discharge, Koster eventually joined Xerox Corporation as a technician and became an area service manager, retiring after 33 years in 2021.

Koster served as commander on the county and district levels before serving a term as department vice commander. His Legion involvement extends to the national level where he served on four committees and in 2021 was inducted into Senate Veterans Hall of Fame.

A native of Schenectady and a graduate of Shenendehowa High School, Koster resides in Saratoga Springs with his wife of 39 years, Cindy. The couple have two children and two grandchildren.