The American Legion was founded in 1919 by WWI veterans
with concerns for their fellow veterans, their community, and the youth of this
great country. They developed the Four Pillars of Service that continue
to this day. These Pillars are: Service to Veterans and their
rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism and Community and Protection of
our Youth. Over the last 98 years, the American Legion has raised
millions of dollars in support of veterans and, although they are non-partisan,
they have initiated and supported legislation on their behalf. The Legion
continues to support a strong National defense and supports our service
personnel.
The Americanism Pillar, highlighted this month, has many
facets from, honoring the flag to youth development programs such as: Legion
Baseball, Boys and Girls State and National Oratorical Programs, scholarship
programs, support for scouting and much more.
Locally, American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 has supported
several of these programs. For the last 11 years, the Post has placed
approximately 100 U.S. flags on utility poles on the highways and byways of
Windham - to recognize the patriotic pulse of this community. The Post
recognizes the Town’s fallen vets, by providing the manpower to the Town, in
the placement of over 850 flags on the graves of our veterans in some 30
cemeteries in Windham. Additionally, organizations desiring presentations
on flag etiquette, may schedule this support through the local Legion.
February is a great opportunity to mention Boys and Girls
State. The programs, open to High School Juniors, requires that interested
students contact their guidance officer before the end of
March. Interested juniors should talk to the guidance office and also to classmates
who attended last year’s conventions for additional information. Over the
past several years the Post and Auxiliary have sent 4 to 6 students
(collectively) to their respective conventions. That support will continue
again this year.
The Field-Allen Post supports Legion Baseball as well.
The local Junior Legion Baseball team carries the Field-Allen name and
was most recently supported by the Post with a Bean Supper to help defray the
team’s costs.
Each year the Legion Post recognizes student leadership
at the High Schools with a Leadership Recognition Awards and Scholarships. These
awards are presented to one senior male and one senior female that the Legion
feels best exemplifies the attributes of leadership and Americanism in their
class.
Although the Post does not currently support a Boy Scout
troop, several of its members are involved in local troops at the district
level.
The Field-Allen Post is always looking to increase support
levels for these programs. Funding is often a constraint. Last year
the business community and individuals stepped up to revitalize the Post Flag Program
with generous financial support. Additional support of this nature would
allow the Post the ability to send more juniors to Convention and to increase
scholarships for deserving students, or to provide more support for the baseball
program.
How might you support the concept of Americanism? Legion
members live the Four Pillars and provide generous support in time and energy,
as well as funding. The Field-Allen Post is a 501(c3) non-profit and as
such, donations are tax deductible. Your support for the local Legion Post is a
way to show your dedication to the concept of Americanism.
You can support
the Legion Post by doing simple things: Join the Post in the
Memorial Day Parade as a participant or spectator/come to the Legion open
house/come to a bean supper/support the Post food drive/show proper deference
to the flag. These are but a few examples. Better yet, if you are a
qualified veteran, join the Field-Allen Post. Need more information?
Contact Dave at: 892-1306
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