PA Department Commander Joe Cocco spent time talking to legion officers, members and family members of the Tamaqua American Legion on Sunday.

Commander Cocco enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June 1962 and completed basic training in San Diego. He served aboard the USS Galveston CLG-3 for three years.After receiving an honorable discharge in June 1965, Cocco continued to serve as he joined the Naval Reserve in 1974 and retired in 1997 as the Battalion Command Master Chief of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 21 (NMCB-21), Lakehurst N.J., known as "The Fighting Seabees."In 2010, Cocco retired from PPL Electric Utilities after 37 years, where he worked as a supervisor in the resource management department.He is a life member and past commander of AMVETS Walter H. Wardigo Post 7, Shenandoah. He belongs to the Past Department District Commander Association, was chairman of the legislative committee of the Pennsylvania War Veterans council, is a member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 398 and LA Societe Des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux (40&8).In addition, Cocco has held many positions throughout the American Legion on post, district, county, section and state levels.Cocco is also an inductee and member of the Schuylkill county Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. He was active in coaching for more than 30 years and was president of the Tri-County Midget Football League for nine years. he also coached at Shenandoah Valley, North Schuylkill and Cardinal Brennan High Schools.Joe's wife is Roseanne. He is the father of Joseph J. Cocco, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant with 20 years of service; Joesph J. Cocco is also serving as his father's Historian this year for Department.As Department Commander, Cocco's stated that one of his key projects will be supporting the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund.During his visit, he spoke of how returning veterans will serve as our next generation of Legionaires.