GREECE — For the third consecutive year, members of American Legion Greece Post 468 were named state champions in color guard competition.

All those hours of marching in step, dressing sharply and practicing new routines have paid off, said member Tom Roesler.

"This is the best color guard we've had in years," said Roesler, 59, of Borrowdale Drive, a member since 1985. "The dedication and the commitment are phenomenal.

"This is our way of not only representing veterans, but all the members of our post. We're all family. It's a matter of pride."

The competition was held July 19 in Albany. Post 468, with headquarters at 344 Dorsey Road, beat about 70 other units in the senior color guard category, Roesler said.

The guard scored 96 out of a possible 100, for its 23rd state championship since the 1970s, said George Dadson Jr., the guard's sergeant.

The post has about 900 members, including the ladies' auxiliary, and the color guard has 13 active members, most of whom are military veterans. Roesler is a Navy guy, and Dadson is an active Army Reserve member.

The guard practices weekly, Dadson said. It has performed at firemen's carnivals, parades and at events such as Rochester Red Wings, Rochester Americans and Buffalo Bills games.

"We take this very seriously," said Dadson, 43, of Nahant Road. "It's practice, practice, practice. Just keeping in step is important. If one guy is half a step out, it sticks right out."

The guard includes three rifle-bearers and three flag-bearers, displaying the American flag, the legion post flag and the POW flag. The uniform includes black pants, white shirt, gloves and a black beret — and a spotless appearance is critical.

"Sharp and crisp," Roesler said. "Everything is spit and polish, and neatly pressed."

For Roesler, joining the guard was no huge leap from his military experience. He served with the Navy Honor Guard and was assigned to duties at the White House and the Pentagon, among other locales.

Roesler said he volunteered to serve in Vietnam, but was assigned to the guard instead because Navy officials thought he would be impressive because of his size — he's 6-foot-3.

While with the Honor Guard, he served at the funeral of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and has met such luminaries as former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir.

Dadson learned that he would be the color guard's sergeant when he returned from duty in Iraq in 2004. As sergeant, he said, he "barks out the commands" and has to "whip 'em into shape."

Finding time for all his activities isn't easy, said Dadson, who also works as a truck driver.

But it's a duty he wouldn't trade for anything.

"The biggest motivation is when people are clapping and cheering and saluting when we go by," he said.

"Seeing an old veteran get out of his wheelchair to salute you — that's what motivates you, right there."

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