Shannon-Shattuck Post 182 had a very rewarding year and phenomenal support from the community. Here is a rundown of many 2024 events and activities.
Memorial Day Parade
As the parade marched through the pouring rain, spectators cheered as we passed by! When the Granby Memorial High School Band had to protect its instruments from water damage, they couldn’t play the national anthem at the cemetery wreath-laying ceremony. Despite the heavy rain, Granby citizens proudly sang The Star-Spangled Banner in honor of our departed heroes. When Granby patriots cheer and sing in a downpour, how can their American Legion Post do anything but succeed?
Second Saturday Pancake Breakfasts
Post 182 began serving Second Saturday Pancake Breakfasts to area veterans and first responders more than a year ago, proudly dishing out pancakes and sausage, free of charge. The post welcomes fire-fighters from Lost Acres and East Hartland, Granby’s finest from the police department, and EMTs and ambulance drivers from the Granby Ambulance Association on the second Saturday of every month, 8–10 am at Legion Hall.
Honoring Our Flag
Granby citizens know legionnaires sell American flags on two weekends in May at area grocery stores. The post also partners with area scouts to place flags at veterans’ graves at Granby Cemetery on the Saturday before Memorial Day, places signs and flags at outlying gravesites, sells U.S. flags at cost to town and area businesses for year-around display, teaches Cub Scouts and Webelos flag etiquette, collects flags for honorable retirement according to the U.S. Flag Code and lowers the flags to half-staff at town war memorials then raises them when the mourning periods have passed.
Opening Day Breakfast—A Granby Tradition
Post 182 hosted Opening Day Pancake Breakfast on April 13 to kick off the fishing season. In 2025, catch-and-release begins March 1; fish may be kept beginning on April’s second Saturday.
Post 182 will again serve Opening Day breakfast, on April 12, 7–11 a.m. All are welcome—proceeds benefit the Brian Eukers Memorial Scholarship that challenges GMHS seniors to write a patriotic essay. Charles Orluk and Nathan Griswold both won $2,000 awards in June 2024.
Scholarship Raffle
Bridget Annuli’s winning Scholarship Raffle ticket was drawn on Nov. 9. She and husband Peter Annuli were presented with a check for $1,000 by Robert Moss and Bob Groper. Commander Cliff Burrell commented, “Granby residents generously purchased tickets to support our scholarships. The funds raised allow us to build a reserve account for future scholarships and support operating costs of the Post.”
Eagle Scout Court of Honor
On June 22, Post 182 hosted a Boy Scouts of America Court of Honor awarding Eagle Scout to Juniper Zinck. She located veteran graves by GPS in the Granby Cemetery and found many missing veteran graves in the process. More than 30 people attended, eight of whom were Eagle Scouts.
State Representative Mark Anderson presented a citation from the Connecticut General Assembly in recognition of Juniper’s accomplishment.
Replacing the Town Clock
Shannon-Shattuck Post 182 partnered with businesses, community groups and donors to replace the broken clock in front of the Granby Police Department. This wonderful collaboration demonstrated the strength of combining efforts to achieve lasting benefits to our town.
Veterans Day Events
GMHS honored veterans at its Friday night football game, Post 182 held its annual Armistice/Veterans Day dinner on Saturday and GMHS hosted panels of veterans on Monday for each class. On Nov. 18, Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Veteran Affairs Commissioner Ron Welch recognized 70+ Vietnam era veterans
Outdoor Sound System
Aware that Memorial Day speeches given at Granby Cemetery were difficult for many people to hear, legion officers collaborated with 21 households and the Lions Club to purchase a robust sound system. On Dec. 7, legionnaires deployed four 1,000-watt speakers at two locations for lighting of the holiday trees. Everybody easily heard the comments by First Selectman Mark Fiorentino and Santa Claus, despite noise from nearby traffic. Post 182 hopes to add powerful sound support to future community and charitable events.
Post 182 Legion Hall is located at 244 North Granby Road. Legion meetings are held on the second and fourth Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
Contact at AmericanLegionPost182@gmail.com or 860-906-2614.