Whether family members, relatives, friends or neighbors, most of us know someone who wore or continues to proudly wear the uniform of one of the five military branches—six with Space Force, of the U.S. Armed Forces. Spanning the decades, men and women have heroically and honorably served our country, with too many sadly encountering casualties leading to disability, or loss of life—the highest sacrifice of all.
Gratefully, individuals and organizations step up to support our veterans; The American Legion is one such organization. Chartered by Congress in 1919, it was formed as a non-partisan, nonprofit entity. A “patriotic veteran’s organization” with focus on “service to veterans, service members and communities.” The American Legion emblem and meaning of each of the six rings is noteworthy.
Membership of The American Legion now stands upwards of two million men and women operating through approximately 13,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. A Devotion to service members and veterans, Honor, strong National Security and Patriotism are its enduring values.
Throughout the extensive network of active American Legion Posts, volunteerism is a core element. Assistance is offered to veterans, their families, children, and youth. Projects and programs, with a spotlight on the wider community, are also considered for funding and/or manual labor support.
Through collaboration, The American Legion has achieved many important mission objectives such as:
• Partnered with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to “care for Gold Star families” and sustain “support for families of America’s fallen heroes.”
• Established the national Oratorical Contest for high school youth that dates back to 1938, and affords youth the challenge to build leadership, and establish clear communications.
• Broadened the database for Sites of Remembrance in honor and remembrance of U.S. conflicts and those who fought in them, as well as their families.
• Two notable legislative achievements of The American Legion were signing into law of the GI Bill of Rights of 1944 and the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.
In keeping with the non-partisan spirit of The American Legion, The Shannon-Shattuck Post #182, Incorporated was registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State in 1949. Post 182 is composed of men and women representing the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy and possibly someday Space Force. Notably, Post 182 remains a “dry post,” shared only by a small number of American Legion Posts throughout the United States.
In step with the patriotic leadership of Adjutant James O. Hall, Veteran, U.S. Naval Construction Battalion/Navy Seabees, and Commander Kenneth Rafoss, Veteran, U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division, Post 182 members continue to honor their core values. They have steadfastly volunteered within the Granby community to ensure a successful Memorial Day Parade, Veterans Day and 9/11 Remembrances. Members have loyally placed flags at the graves of our veterans and maintained local veteran memorials. Post 182 has also offered high school scholarship funds, funding support for scouting programs and the Marquis of Granby Ancient Junior Fyfe and Drum Corps. Decorating the tree on the Granby Town Green is a long-standing holiday event of Post 182.
Members of Post 182 have also volunteered individual specialty trade skills and funds to help veterans, non-veterans and their families experiencing hardship within Granby and the region.
Moving forward, Post 182 would like to accomplish and sustain the following three core objectives:
• Continue community outreach and offer higher education scholarships to eligible GMHS seniors.
• Maintain adequate funding for veterans, non-veterans and their families experiencing hardship.
• Preserve the Veteran Memorials and also Post 182, a museum of Granby’s military history and relics.
Quoting some of the Preamble to the Constitution of The American Legion—“We associate ourselves together for the following purposes”: “To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America”, “to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community” and “to promote peace and good will on earth.”
Post 182 has always relied on fundraising events and donations from individuals and the business community. With the pandemic shuttering public fundraising events in 2020 and beyond, Post 182 is seeking assistance to reinforce its efforts to carry on with its mission.
Please make checks payable to The Shannon-Shattuck Post 182 Incorporated, and mail directly to: P.O. Box 182, Granby, CT 06035.
Your willingness to support Post 182 (a non-profit organization) and its 71 years of service will be valued. Post 182 encourages veterans to join its membership ranks.