Saturday, February 8, 2014

American Legion active and expanding to include women's auxiliary - By Michelle Libby



The American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 in Windham is growing to include a women’s auxiliary branch that would assist at some events and function to meet their own goal and needs. The only requirement for membership is to have a spouse, son, daughter or other family member be a member of The American Legion. 

Post 148 is made up of 110 veterans from Windham, Casco, Raymond, Standish and Westbrook. It is a dry post, meaning they don’t serve alcohol, which is a positive for some vets, said post commander Melvin Greenier. Post 148 organizes Memorial Day festivities every year and has enlisted the 3rd Maine Civil War encampment to return to Windham over Memorial Day weekend. The post also helped with the first year of “Everlasting Gratitude”, a program where every veteran received a wreath on their grave. This year they will also host a St. Patrick’s Day dinner at the Windham Veteran’s Center. 

There are monthly post meetings in the veteran’s building behind Hannaford. 

The Auxiliary will be a new organization. “The participation and organization will be parallel to American Legion structure. Each Auxiliary post has its own charter, by-laws, activities and dues established by its own membership. Additionally, the Auxiliary works closely with the post affiliate in joint ventures in support of veterans, community and educational issues,” said Greenier. 

On February 11, interested women are invited to the post meeting. At 4:30 p.m. there will be a social time, at 5 p.m. there will be dinner and the meeting will begin at 6 p.m. There will be a presentation from state Auxiliary V.P. Nancy Ronco, and Marion Merrill, district Auxiliary V.P., will attend the February 2014 American Legion meeting to greet, socialize and speak to interested ladies. There needs to be 10 members for the Auxiliary to form. 

If you are related to a Legion member and would like an information packet or have questions about the program, call Mel Greenier at mgreenier@myfairpoint.net or 854-8616. 




No comments:

Post a Comment