Welcome
Since our charter in 1944, American Legion Post 147 has been welcoming Veterans from all branches of our Armed Forces. Today, we continue to welcome all military personnel serving our country. Joining our Post enables you to continue serving your God, Country and Community. Our mission is to implement the goals, aspirations, dreams, peace and blessings for our country, friends and families embodied in our preamble below.
The American Legion Preamble:
"For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of The United States of America. To maintain law and order. To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism. To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the great wars. To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation. To combat the autocracy of both the classes and masses. To make right the master of might. To promote peace and good will on earth. To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy. To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veterans Day 11 November 2024
Lt. C Edward Hine American Legion Post 147, Southbury is having a Veterans Day Poppy Drive and Wreaths Across America Fund Raiser. The Poppy Drive and Fund Raiser will take place on 8 Nov, 9 Nov, 10 Nov, and 11 Nov; locations will be Southbury Plaza Stop and Shop and Playhouse Corner Dunkin’ Donuts.
The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. It reminds Americans of the sacrifices made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms.
The funds raised support local American Legion programs throughout the year. American Legion Post 147 has awarded scholarships to Region 15 graduating seniors. Over the years, the American Legion has sponsored young men and women (High School Juniors) to attend Boys and Girls State, an American Legion program, to introduce young men and women to the workings of government. The American Legion has also sponsored young men and women (High School Juniors) to attend State Police Youth Week. Participants spend a week at the State Police Academy, learning about law enforcement and possible careers.
This will be the sixth year the American Legion has sponsored the Wreaths Across America program. The American Legion will place a Veterans Wreath on the approximately 595 veterans’ graves in the local cemeteries. The mission of the Wreaths Across America program is to REMEMBER our fallen veterans, HONOR those who serve, and TEACH our children the value of freedom. National Wreath Across America Day is 14 December 2024 and will take place in over 4600 locations across the country and worldwide. This endeavor would not be possible without the help of volunteers. Some volunteers organize the program, truck drivers donate both their time and trucks to deliver the wreaths, and volunteers place the wreaths on the veterans’ graves. Everyone is doing their part.
If you would like more information about the American Legion, you can go to Amlegion147.org.
If you would like to sponsor a wreath for a loved one here in Southbury, forms will be available at the fundraising locations. You can also sponsor a wreath online at: www.WreathsAcrossAMERICA.ORG/CT0096P.
Thank you,
Lt. C. Edward Hine American Legion Post 147
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On 19 Sep 24 POW/MIA National Day was observed by Southbury Area veterans
POW/MIA Table on the Veterans Green Southbury, CT
Wreaths Across America Arlington convoy visited Southbury.
What has become known as the country’s longest veterans’ parade – Wreaths Across America’s annual “Escort to Arlington” visited Southbury December 12th.
The convoy consists of 15 tractor-trailers, carrying thousands of wreaths to be placed at veteran’s graves at Arlington National Cemetery on December 16th, along with dozens of supporting vehicles.
There was a short ceremony at the Veteran’s Green in Southbury at 9:30 AM.
There were several static displays, and light refreshments were available.
See: News - Wreaths Across America
Escort to Arlington - Wreaths Across America (route)
___________________________________________________________________
Post 147 Scholarship Award 2023
Post Members Tom Sherk, Bernie Mallon, Rob LeDuc, Arik Dagan, $2,000 winner, Bill Davis
Rob LeDuc and Arik Dagan
The Post August Meeting was held as a Picnic on August 20th, 2023
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brass City Young Marines presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from Post 147 for the assistance with Wreaths Across America, Dec 2022.
Troop 1607 received a Certificate of Appreciation from Post 147 for their support of the Wreaths Across America program.
_______________________________________________________
National Vietnam War Veterans Day
The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law by 45th U.S. President Donald J. Trump, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
This special day joins six other military-centric annual observances codified in Title 4 of the United States Code §6, among them Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day.
29 March is a fitting choice for a day honoring Vietnam veterans. It was chosen to be observed in perpetuity as March 29, 1973 was the day the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and also the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. In addition, on and around this same day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war.
The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration honors all veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, and their families.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Veterans Day 11 Nov. 2022 and Wreaths Across America 17 Dec. 2022
Lieut. C. Edward Hine American Legion Post 147, Southbury held a Veterans Day Poppy Drive and Wreaths Across America Fund Raiser. The Poppy Drive and Fund Raiser took place on 5 Nov, 11 Nov, and 12 Nov, locations were Southbury Plaza Stop and Shop, Southbury Plaza Clock Tower, and the Southbury Green.
The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since World War I to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. It reminds Americans of the sacrifice made by our veterans while protecting our freedoms.
The funds raised support local American Legion programs throughout the year. This past year, American Legion Post 147 awarded $4000 worth of scholarships to Region 15 students. Over the years, the American Legion has sponsored young men and women (High School Juniors) to attend Boys State and Girls State, an American Legion program, to introduce young men and women to the workings of government. The American Legion has also sponsored young men and women (High School Juniors) to attend State Police Week. Participants spend a week at the State Police Academy learning about law enforcement and possible careers.
This will be the fourth year that the American Legion has sponsored the Wreaths Across America program. The American Legion will place a Veterans Wreath on the approximately 585 veterans’ graves in the local cemeteries. Last year, December 2021 Wreaths Across America placed 2.4 million Veterans Wreaths at 3136 participating locations across the United States and worldwide. This endeavor would not be possible without the help of volunteers. There are volunteers that are organizing the program, truck drivers that are donating their time and trucks to deliver the wreaths and volunteers that will place the wreaths on the veterans’ graves. Everyone is doing a part.
If you would like more information about the American Legion you can go to: https://amlegionpost147.org.
If you would like to sponsor a wreath for a loved here in Southbury, forms will be available at the fund raising locations.
You can also sponsor a wreath online at:
www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/CT0096P.
Thank you,
Lieut.C. Edward Hine American Legion Post 147