American Legion welcomes new members in October

By David Tanguay
Special to The Windham Eagle

Attention All Veterans! Claim your Golden Ticket as American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 offers an annual month of October free new member opportunity to join the American Legion that runs through Veterans Day in November.

If you served at least one day of active service and hold an Honorable Discharge, you are eligible for one of the Golden Tickets for a no-cost first year membership to the largest, the most influential veteran's organization in the country, the American Legion.

As the nation celebrates its 250th Anniversary in 2026, the American Legion also celebrated 107 years of service to veterans; our youth programs; the Legion’s unfailing support for the nation’s national security and under the Americanism program, a dedicated support for our national symbol, the American Flag. These are the four pillars of the American Legion.

Why Join the American Legion?

Since its inception in France after World War I in 1919, the American Legion has been the largest service support and advocate organization for all veterans. The American Legion is the most inclusive of all Veteran Service Organizations and was formed to ensure that World War I veterans received their pensions.

It later drafted the first GI Bill of Rights in 1944 for all veterans, not just those who were forward deployed and has been at the vanguard of all significant veteran’s legislation since then including the more recent Blue Water Navy Bill and Burn Pits legislation (PACT Act) encouraging all vets from recent conflicts to get screened for exposure to toxins and is providing needed service and support to member and veterans who have exposures to a wide range of toxins.

Today more than ever, the Legion is working for and with veterans to reduce the mental health issues associated with veteran’s suicide. The BE THE ONE Program is now one of the most proactive suicide prevention services in the nation with its 988 +1 call program. It is the veteran's voice in Congress.

Need help with your VA Benefits or just need questions answered? Field-Allen Post 148 in Windham provides for a regularly scheduled VA Service Officer to answer questions, discuss benefits, and assist with claims. Resources and other benefits are available at the Veterans Coffee held each Wednesday at the Windham Veterans Center (WVC) from 9 to 11 a.m. and is open to all veterans. Stop by for coffee on Wednesday and meet fellow vets and get responses to your concerns.

The Field-Allen Post provides dedicated programs in all Four Pillars of the American Legion. The Post provides recognition and scholarships for our youth, promotes a highly visible oratorical program based on the U.S. Constitution and runs week-long emersion programs in government. It honors our veterans in ceremony as well as in practical support for those who had heating, medical, and food insecurities.

The post sponsor monthly Red Cross blood drives as well as monthly dinners. It also hosts the town's Memorial Day events including the parade, ceremony and open house; Veterans Resources Fairs; Veterans Fishing events: 9/11 tributes; a Four Chaplain’s ceremony each February, as well as providing an honor guard and services for our fallen veterans. 

If this last item is an area of interest, the Post 148 Honor Guard has recently lost several members due to health issues and retirement. If you really want to make a difference, join the Field-Allen Post and then become an Honor Guard member. It is a truly rewarding experience and the satisfaction of a job well done is thanks enough. There is support for the purchase of the Honor Guard uniform and training is conducted bi-monthly.

For additional Information, please contact the Post 148 Adjutant at 207-892-1306 or send an email to [email protected] <