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Shannon-Shattuck Post 182

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Past Post Updates

To all parading Patriots ...

     You are well aware of the challenges of heat and humidity that we must overcome to celebrate Independence Day.  Our normal New England climate gives us very little experience with dangerous heat and the insidious nature of heat injuries.  That's what this email to you hopes to remedy.

     The last thing we all want is to have our celebration marred by the injury of any of our Patriots.  So, let us take positive steps to combat the heat!  

Action Steps for All Marching Units:

Know the Signs of Heat Illness

Heat illness can come on quickly, especially when high humidity prevents sweat from evaporating. Please familiarize yourself and your team with these critical stages:

Watch Out for the Most Vulnerable

While everyone is at risk, please pay extra attention to pregnant women, babies, young children, the elderly, and anyone with chronic medical conditions. Don't forget to keep your pets cool, too!

Weather & Operational Updates

Any updates or cancellations (if needed) for the parade or Salmon Brook Park activities will be posted on:

For general heat safety resources, visit Heat.gov.

Thank you for helping us keep this year's celebration safe, happy, and healthy.

See you at the parade!

Granby America 250 Committee and Shannon-Shattuck Post 182 invite you and your group to join Granby's 4th of July Parade!

Granby will proudly host a celebratory 250th Independence Day Parade on July 4th

This event is a celebration of 250 years of American independence ...
Parade units are encouraged to enter floats and hand-out patriotic swag (with due regard to avoiding litter). Please, no tossing of anything.

Parade Units from surrounding towns are invited to participate!

Together, we are celebrating the core values of our American heritage.​

All Parade Units must fill out the
Granby Independence Day Parade Sign-Up form.
Email GranbyIndependenceDay@gmail.com to express interest or ask questions.
Floats are encouraged!  Surrounding town participation invited!

Why the Poppy?

Most Americans recognize the red poppy flower as a symbol important to Veterans.  But why?

John McCrae wrote a poem, In Flanders Fields, on 3 May 1915, the morning after his friend and fellow officer Lieutenant Alexis Helmer was killed by a German shell near Ypres, Belgium. McCrae reportedly scrawled it in twenty minutes while sitting on the back of a field ambulance, gazing at the makeshift graves of the men he had failed to save. He nearly discarded it. A fellow officer retrieved it and sent it to London, where Punch magazine published it on 8 December 1915. It spread with extraordinary speed — soldiers recognized something in it that no dispatch or communiqué could convey: the dead themselves speaking, demanding that the living keep faith.

The poem's power as a symbol of Remembrance flows from two specific choices McCrae made. First, he wrote in the first person plural of the dead — "We are the Dead" — an almost unprecedented act of poetic ventriloquism that collapsed the distance between the fallen and the reader. Second, the poppy. The Flanders battlefields had been churned to mud, and the common red poppy (Papaver rhoeas) was one of the few plants that could germinate in lime-rich disturbed soil — the very soil thrown up by shell craters and mass graves. The flower was already there, literally growing from the dead. McCrae made it immortal.

The transition from poem to ritual was driven largely by an American academic, Moina Michael. Reading the poem in November 1918 — the final week of the war — she was so moved that she immediately wrote a response poem and pinned a silk poppy to her coat, vowing to wear one always in honor of the fallen. She campaigned tirelessly to make the poppy an official symbol of remembrance, eventually persuading the American Legion to adopt it in 1920. A French woman, Anna Guérin, brought the idea to Britain and the Commonwealth, where the Royal British Legion launched the first Poppy Appeal in 1921. Within a decade the red poppy on Remembrance Day — 11 November — was one of the most recognized symbols in the English-speaking world.

McCrae himself never saw any of this. He died of pneumonia and meningitis on 28 January 1918, nine months before the Armistice, and was buried in France — among the very crosses, row on row, that his poem described.

The poem endures because its final stanza is not elegy but obligation. It does not ask for grief; it asks for resolve. That imperative — "be yours to hold it high" — gave every subsequent generation a role to play in the act of remembrance, making the poem not a period piece but a living charge renewed each year.

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae (November 30, 1872 – January 28, 1918) was a Canadian poet, physician, author, artist and soldier during World War I and a surgeon during the Second Battle of Ypres, in Belgium.

Please visit our page dedicated to In Flanders Fields

2026 Granby Parades

Granby's Legion Post will proudly lead
TWO community parades in 2026

— Memorial Day Parade was on May 25th
     This was a dignified Parade of Honor for America's War Heroes

— July 4th Independence Day Parade
    Celebrating 250 years of Liberty 


All Parade Units must fill out the Granby Independence Day Parade Sign-Up form.
Email GranbyIndependenceDay@gmail.com to express interest or ask questions.
Floats are encouraged!  Surrounding town participation invited!

 

More Independence Day Parade details are posted at
PARADE Information

Information about the July 4th Parade is still under development.  (As of: 1 June 26)

 

As of 5:30 AM Monday: Granby Memorial Day Parade is a GO!

Expect rain — come prepared.
Unit coordinators should make participation decisions based on safety and equipment needs.

Granby remembers. Granby has grit.

The American Legion Shannon-Shattuck Post 182 will march unless the weather becomes dangerous.

We will honor those who died for our country.


The leaders of individual units should determine their own participation based on safety needs of their group and protection of vulnerable equipment

We will monitor the weather and a final Go-NoGo decision will be posted by 6 a.m. on Monday at: Granby-ct.gov and Post182ALCT.org

The Parade will march unless

•Lightning is within a 15-mile radius

•Thunderstorms or heavy rain is likely

•Rain or showers will NOT cancel the Parade

Please join us at
9:00 AM Saturday, May 23
as we place American flags
on Veteran graves,
@ Granby Cemetery

Everybody is welcome.

Peace Officer Memorial Day
Respect. Honor. Memorial.

May 15: Observance Statement from the Legionnaires of Post 182

Today, the Legionnaires of American Legion Shannon‑Shattuck Post 182 pause in solemn remembrance of the peace officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. We honor their courage, their devotion to community, and the families who bear their loss. Their service safeguarded our freedoms here at home. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Welcome Neighbor!

We are proud citizens of Granby, Connecticut and surrounding towns,
continuing to serve our community, state, and nation ...

  

Legionnaires of Shannon-Shattuck Post 182 are driven to serve 
our country, our community, and our brothers- and sisters-in-arms 
while honoring the past and embracing the future.

 

Welcome Home from Deployment
to Members of 103rd Airlift Wing

103rd Airlift Wing Homecoming Ceremony, February 7, 2026

Annual Game Supper, Saturday @ 6:00 PM
Seats @ 6:30 PM
Venison, Elk, Pheasant, Rabbit, Fresh Salmon, Bison and Wild Boar

$50 per person, limited number of seats
Purchase from Bob Groper, (860) 906-2614

Please Carpool
The recent snow has limited the number of parking spots available at Legion Hall.  

Welcome Our New Stove!

     For many months we’ve been hard at work improving the health and safety of our kitchen. With the generous support of the Granby Greater Together Community Fund and the Hartford Foundation, we purchased and installed a new commercial vent hood—an essential upgrade for both safety and efficiency.
     As we navigated the requirements for the new system, it became clear that integrating a modern fire‑suppression system was the right choice. A compelling quote for the additional hardware made the decision even easier. The new control system now coordinates the hood, vent, and Ansul fire‑suppression components, and also manages the emergency shutoff for the propane line.
     Because the old stove had to be removed before installation could proceed, we finally bid farewell to our long‑serving workhorse. With the project nearing completion, we turned to selecting a replacement. Under the leadership of our chief chef, Wayne Adams, the team chose a state‑of‑the‑art Vulcan 10‑burner commercial stove, delivered on Thursday, January 26th.
     We are now in the home stretch. Final connections and fittings will be completed in the coming week, followed by inspections from both the Fire Marshal and the Town Building Code Inspector. If all goes as planned, we’ll be cooking our first meals on the new system at our regularly scheduled 2nd Saturday Pancake Breakfast on February 14th, from 7 to 10 AM.

In Memoriam: Karl J. Van Valkenburgh
(November 18, 1927  -  December 17, 2025)

Shannon‑Shattuck Post 182 honors the life and service of Karl J. Van Valkenburgh, a proud veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, and a devoted member of the Granby community for more than sixty years.

Karl first enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school, serving with the 16th Infantry Regiment, First Division in Germany and Austria. When the Korean War began, he returned to active duty as an officer in the 456th Field Artillery Battalion and later the 780th Field Artillery Battalion, serving as a Battery Officer, Forward Observer, and Battalion Adjutant. His leadership earned him promotion to 1st Lieutenant and the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service.

After settling in Granby in 1959, Karl became deeply involved in civic life. He served as a Town Selectman, a longtime member of the Republican Town Committee, a moderator at Town Meetings, and a member of the Granby Conservation Commission, where he authored the town’s first Conservation Plan. He also served on the Board of Directors of Granby Homes for Senior Citizens, helping ensure safe and affordable housing for older residents.

A proud member of Shannon‑Shattuck Post 182 for 43 years, Karl supported Memorial Day observances, cemetery services, and fundraising efforts benefiting veterans and their families. His patriotism and steady presence were felt across generations of Post members.

Karl’s legacy is one of service—to his country, to his town, and to the many organizations and people whose lives he enriched. Post 182 extends its deepest condolences to his family and friends and is honored to recognize his lifetime of dedication.

Services for Karl are private.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Shannon-Shattuck Post #182, American Legion, P.O. Box 182, Granby, CT 06035, or to an animal welfare or wildlife conservation organization of your choosing.

Lions and Legion Celebrate the Holidays!

Tuesday, December 16th, was a magical night as the Lions and Legion teamed up to gather hundreds of toys for children in the hospital—gifts that will brighten lives all year long. Nearly 70 friends and neighbors came together for good food, good company, and a joyful celebration of the season.

​Dec. 7 -  Post 182 Family lights the Legion tree on the Granby Town Green. 
Dubbed the "America 250 Tree," it is bedazzled with Ol' Glory and red, white, and blue lights.

 

 

 

 

James R. Sansone, Legionnaire

Rest in Peace Jim 

Our friend and comrade, Jim Sansone, was called to higher headquarters Tuesday evening, December 16th.  Post 182 will provide appropriate honors to Jim on Friday, December 26th.  

James Robert Sansone, 80, of North Granby, beloved husband of Patricia (Patty) Emmons Sansone, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday evening, December 16, 2025, at St. Mary Home in West Hartford after a brief illness. Jim was the son of the late Dominick and Josephine (Rossetti) Sansone.

Born in Hartford, Jim lived in Unionville until the Flood of 1955 swept their home away, and then he moved to Simsbury. He graduated from Henry James Memorial High School, and shortly thereafter joined the U.S. Army. He married his first and only love, Patty, nearly 59 years ago, and they moved to Granby where they raised their three children.

Jim was a member of Ironworker Local Union 15 for 32 years, working on most of the high-rise buildings in the Greater Hartford area. After retiring from that career, he worked for the Town of Avon as its Building Official, Zoning Enforcement Officer and Fire Marshal for 22 years. He really loved interacting with the contractors and residents, and making a difference.

Jim was very generous with his volunteer time, having served for many years on the Town of Granby Planning & Zoning Commission, the Board of Assessment Appeals, and numerous Municipal Building Committees. He was an active member of American Legion Shannon-Shattuck Post 182, the Knights of Columbus and a Charter member of UNICO of Granby. He was a former chairman of the Democratic Town Committee.

He is survived by his devoted wife Patty and their three children: Kevin of West Hartford, Sheryl Maynor and her husband Gene of Hartsville, SC and Heather Savino and her husband Christopher of Simsbury. He also leaves behind his 5 grandchildren: Nicholas and Isabella Savino of Simsbury and Theodore, Nathan and Jenna Cutler of South Carolina. Additionally, he leaves behind his two brothers: John Sansone of Simsbury and Edward Sansone of Granby, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Anita Coffey.

He loved his family, his mountain home that he built in North Granby and his former beach house in Westbrook, feeding his birds, keeping his lawns meticulous and enjoying the view from his front porch. Jim loved his classic cars – his Corvettes and his Ferrari - and he and Patty had traveled to Italy several times, cruised on the Danube and in the Caribbean. He really enjoyed life!

Calling hours will be on Friday, December 26th at Hayes Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook Street, Granby, CT 06035, from 4-7PM. A Funeral Mass with Military Honors will follow on Saturday, December 27th, 11AM, at St. Mary’s Church, 492 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06070. Burial in Granby Cemetery will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Legion Shannon-Shattuck Post 182, P.O. Box 182, Granby, CT 06035 or Granby Ambulance Association, 1 Pegville Road, Granby, CT 06035.

 
Armistice/Veterans Day Dinner Gets a Twist!

With the kitchen under construction, we flipped the script and turned our observance into a good old-fashioned pot luck dinner.

 
We had a truly heart-warming evening sharing each other's potluck dishes and friendly company.

Hartford Gun Club Veteran Appreciation Day
Sunday 11/2/2025 from 10a-3p

Please come next Sunday and support your club.

We are asking EVERY member to attend this wonderful event, (and bring friends and family) to support the club and the local causes that the proceeds go to.

On Sunday, November 2, 2025 HGC will hold the 14th Annual Veterans Appreciation Day Open House from 10am-3pm

Admission is $5 per car and Veterans are admitted for free AND receive three shooting tickets as a token of our appreciation.

Each year this event has been attended by more people, has included a variety of activities and has been regarded as one of the most worthy and enjoyable events of the year. Proceeds go to Veteran, and First Responder organizations. 

Thank you in advance for your, support of your club and most importantly, recognition, appreciation and honor for our Veteran women and men.

Defending Liberty: From the Battlefield to the Ballot Box

     For generations, America’s service members have stood watch over our freedoms—on land, at sea, and in the air. They have answered the call in times of war and peace, often at great personal cost, to ensure that liberty endures for all. Their mission has always been clear: protect the rights and ideals enshrined in our Constitution.
     One of those rights is both powerful and peaceful: the right to vote.
     While the military defends liberty against external threats, voting is how each citizen defends it from within. Casting a ballot is more than marking a choice—it is an act of stewardship. It is the way we, as a people, guide the course of our nation, uphold the principles for which so many have served, and ensure that government remains accountable to the citizens it represents.
     The connection between service and voting is profound. Every oath taken by a service member is a pledge to support and defend the Constitution. Every vote cast by a citizen is a reaffirmation of that same commitment. One protects liberty through readiness and sacrifice; the other sustains it through participation and voice.
     History reminds us that liberty is never guaranteed—it must be renewed with each generation. On the battlefield, renewal comes through vigilance and resolve. In the voting booth, it comes through informed choice and civic responsibility. Both require courage: the courage to act, to stand for principles, and to believe that individual effort matters.
     When Americans vote, they honor the sacrifices of those who have worn the uniform. They carry forward the mission of defending freedom, not with arms, but with ideas. They ensure that the nation those service members protect remains vibrant, representative, and true to its founding ideals.
     Voting is not reserved for any one group—it is the right and responsibility of all citizens. Whether in a small town hall or a bustling city precinct, each ballot is a voice in the chorus of democracy. Together, those voices shape the laws, policies, and future of the country.
     As members of the American Legion and as citizens, we know that liberty’s defense is a shared duty. The military stands ready to protect it from threats abroad. We, the people, must protect it here at home—by showing up, speaking out, and voting.
     This year, and every year, let us remember: the freedoms we cherish are safeguarded in two ways—by those who serve, and by those who participate. One without the other leaves liberty incomplete.
Honor their service. Defend our freedom. Vote.

From the Front Lines . . .

Staff Sgt. Joshua McMillan’s Quiet Heroism
While deployed overseas, Staff Sgt. McMillan, an Army medic, noticed a local child lingering near the base perimeter. Instead of brushing it off, he initiated a quiet investigation. Turns out, the child’s family had been displaced and was living in a makeshift shelter nearby. McMillan coordinated with civil affairs and logistics to get them medical care, food, and temporary shelter—all without fanfare or headlines.
His actions weren’t part of a mission directive. They were just the right thing to do. When asked about it later, he reportedly said, “We’re here to stabilize. That means more than just patrols.”
It’s the kind of story that doesn’t make the news but defines what service really means.

The Tale of the Tactical Coffee Pot
     During a joint training exercise at Fort Irwin, a young lieutenant fresh out of West Point was determined to impress his platoon with his tactical brilliance. He gathered his NCOs and declared, “We’ll simulate a blackout condition. No lights, no electronics. We operate by the book.”
     That night, the platoon stumbled around in the dark, tripping over tent lines and mistaking sagebrush for enemy silhouettes. Morale was dipping fast. But then, from the back of the TOC, came a faint glow—like a beacon of hope.

     It was the platoon sergeant’s field-modified coffee pot, rigged with red lens tape and powered by a car battery. The sergeant looked up, deadpan:
     “Lieutenant, you can take our lights, but you’ll never take our caffeine.”
     The next morning, the blackout order was quietly rescinded. The coffee pot was promoted to “essential tactical equipment,” and the lieutenant learned his first real lesson in leadership:
     Never mess with a sergeant’s coffee supply.

Rest in Peace Roger Hernsdorf

Roger Alan Hernsdorf, age 87, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduating from Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1959, Roger served with distinction in the New Jersey Army National Guard, rising to the rank of Captain and dedicating his career to full-time staff service.

Following his military retirement, Roger and his family settled in Granby, where he became a steadfast pillar of civic life. His decades of public service included terms on the Board of Selectmen (1974–1979), as First Selectman (1991–1995), and as Town Treasurer for twenty-five years. A proud member of the American Legion for 43 years, Roger exemplified commitment to both country and community.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, Granby. A memorial service will follow on Monday, October 27 at 9:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Granby, UCC, South Campus, beginning with military honors and concluding with a reception.

Roger's full obituary is at https://www.carmonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Roger-A-Hernsdorf?obId=45849287#/obituaryInfo

Connecticut Veterans Stand Down – September 19, 2025
(Rocky Hill Site)

    On Friday, September 19, Connecticut will host its annual Veterans Stand Down—a statewide initiative connecting veterans with critical services, from housing and employment assistance to medical care and legal support.  The Rocky Hill campus of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs will serve as one of the primary locations, offering a full day of outreach and resource access for veterans in need.

    This event is especially impactful for homeless, at-risk, and underserved veterans, providing a dignified setting where they can receive help, reconnect with benefits, and engage with community support networks.

    Granby’s Post 182 is rallying support for the Rocky Hill site by collecting donations of high-need items typically distributed at Stand Down, including:

•            New socks and underwear (men’s and women’s)
•            Travel-size toiletries
•            Non-perishable snacks
•            Gently used backpacks and duffel bags
•            Warm outerwear and rain gear

    Donations, including cash contributions, may be dropped off at Legion Hall, 244 North Granby Road, Saturdays from 10 AM until 2 PM or by arrangement with Post leadership (Bob Groper – (860) 906-2614 or Cliff Burrell – (860) 309-6812) or Bill De Nio - (706) 825-7042.  
Post 182 Legionnaires will collect items and deliver them directly to Rocky Hill in advance of the event.  The Post will also volunteer on the day of the event.

    Community volunteers are also welcome.  Those interested in assisting with donation sorting, transportation, or on-site support at Rocky Hill can contact Post 182 for coordination.  Additional details about statewide Stand Down efforts are available through the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs. Call them at 860-616-3772 or Email: standdown@ct.gov for more information.

 

Valley Collector Car Club
24th Annual Charity Benefit 
​Car Show
Sunday, September 21, 2025
9 am to 2 pm

Shannon-Shattuck Post 182 will once again support the Valley Collector Car Club Charity Benefit Car Show by selling hamburgers, hotdogs, meatball grinders, and drinks to show participants and visitors.  We provide drinks and meals to show volunteers as part of our support to the Valley Collector Car Club's (VCCC) long time mission to raise funds to help the less fortunate members of our community.  Their programs benefitted numerous local charities that help the homeless, the hungry, children with autism, the mentally impaired, as well as numerous groups assisting veterans in need.

Over the past 24 years, the VCCC has donated almost a Hundred Thousand Dollars to help our neighbors in need.  Please help us to continue that tradition at a time when it has become more needed than ever.

Post 182 can always use more help serving this worthy event.  To volunteer your help call
Bob Groper – (860) 906-2614 or Cliff Burrell – (860) 309-6812) or Bill De Nio - (706) 825-7042. 
You can also send us a message here.

PDF's for the Stand Down:  Flyer   Provider List   Stand Down Transportation

1000's of U.S. Flags Honorably Retired

June 21, 2025 - In a ceremony of honor, thousands of American flags were retired in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code.  Shannon-Shattuck Post 182 partnered with the Barkhamsted Grange, Riverton American Legion Post No. 159, and the Barkhamsted Senior Center to retire the flags by burning.  The day was hot, but the fire of freedom burned even hotter!  Thanks to everyone who participated.

Rest in Peace
Bob Castle, 1948-2025

Legionnaire Bob Castle passed away on July 12th, 2025.  A 43-year member of 
Post 182, he served in the US Air Force, then 32 years as a Law Enforcement 
Officer with the Granby Police Department.

1000's of U.S. Flags Honorably Retired

June 21, 2025 - In a ceremony of honor, thousands of American flags were retired in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code.  Shannon-Shattuck Post 182 partnered with the Barkhamsted Grange, Riverton American Legion Post No. 159, and the Barkhamsted Senior Center to retire the flags by burning.  The day was hot, but the fire of freedom burned even hotter!  Thanks to everyone who participated.

2025 Brian Eukers Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations to Sierra Ashe, the 2025 recipient of the Brian Eukers Memorial Scholarship, awarded by Shannon-Shattuck Post 182. Ms. Ashe’s essay demonstrated exceptional insight in exploring how the U.S. Constitution addresses ties in the Electoral College and assessing the continued relevance of these provisions in today’s political landscape.


Scholarship presented to Sierra Ashe by Scholarship Committee Chair Robert Moss,
 and Post Commander Cliff Burrell - June 3, 2025

Each year, Shannon-Shattuck Post 182 proudly awards the Eukers Memorial Scholarship, supported by generous contributions from the late Brian Eukers' family, proceeds from Post 182’s Scholarship Raffle, and the Post’s dedicated scholarship fund.

Deepest thanks to Granby for a truly beautiful
Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony!

Your heartfelt tribute honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. The reverence, dedication, and community spirit were profoundly moving—an unforgettable display of gratitude and respect.

WWII - 80th Anniversary of Victory Celebration
Moe Brassard Speech


 

To the State of Connecticut, Lieutenant Governor, Fellow Veterans, to my comrades from Granby American Legion Post 182, to my family and friends and representatives from the Town of Granby, it is an honor to be here today as one of 16 million Americans who served in WWII.

As the State of Connecticut commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, thank you for taking time to recognize your World War II Veterans and honoring our service.

To be part of "The Greatest Generation" is to understand SACRIFICE, COURAGE and SERVICE to our Country.

Coming from the small town of Northfield, VT and a family of 9 children—my oldest sister and 5 of us boys saw service. Four of us served in WWII.

In 1946, as a young 18-year-old and after graduating high school, I joined what was then called the United States Army Air Force.
Along with 3 other classmates—2 in the United States Army Air Force, 2 in the Navy—we boarded a train to Boston.  From Boston I traveled on a troop train to San Antonio, Texas for basic training.

After basic training I was sent to Scottfield, Illinois to learn radio code and teletype to become a specialist in Air Force Communications.  After 3 months of training, I was assigned to the 17th Communications Command, 20th Air Force and was sent on a troop ship from California to the island of Guam in the Pacific.  In 1946, there were still Japanese soldiers hiding in caves on the island, many who did not know the War had ended. I spent two years in Guam and in 1949 was honorably discharged from Otis Air Base in Cape Cod.

While I am fortunate to be here with you all—as a 96-year-old Veteran of World War II—one of 65,000 WWII Veterans still alive today—our greatest respect and honor must be given to ALL of the servicemen and women who lost their lives in The War and who are not with us today.  We must forever remember them as the TRUE HEROES.

On behalf of my fellow servicemen, thank you for this honor.

— Maurice Brassard, World War II Veteran
May 19, 2025, Celebration for WWII Veterans, State of CT
By Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz in conjunction with CT National Guard and CT Veterans Affair

Post 182 at the Send-Off Ceremony for the
Connecticut Honor Flight on Saturday, May 3rd

May 2025 Bulletin 

American Legion 
Department of Connecticut 

The American Legion Department of Connecticut issues a monthly bulletin for Post and Squadron Officers as well as members to read and get the most important and up-to-date information.  CT Department May 2025 Bulletin

26 April - Granby Commuity Volunteer Fair

Post 182 table at the Granby Volunteer Fair on Saturday, April 26th (Granby Senior Center)
Bob Groper, Paul Willis, Bill De Nio (not pictured)

19 April - The "Shot heard 'round the world"

The battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, marked the beginning of the American Revolution. At Lexington, colonial militia confronted British troops, resulting in the “shot heard ’round the world.” Though the Patriots were forced to retreat, their resistance highlighted their determination to stand against tyranny. The British then moved to Concord, where at North Bridge, they encountered fierce resistance and suffered significant losses, forcing a retreat.

During their retreat along Battle Road to Boston, British troops faced relentless attacks from colonial militias who struck from behind trees, walls, and hillsides. This guerrilla-style warfare inflicted heavy casualties on the British while rallying colonists to the revolutionary cause. The intense fighting along Battle Road demonstrated the resolve and unity of the American Patriots.

In total, the British suffered 73 killed, 174 wounded, and 26 missing, while the colonial forces counted 49 killed, 39 wounded, and 5 missing. The events of Lexington and Concord, along with the fierce skirmishes on Battle Road, galvanized the colonies and laid the foundation for the struggle for American independence. Through their sacrifice, the Patriots lit the flame of liberty that would grow into a new nation

18 April - Two Lights in Your Window

Put two lights in your window on Friday night to commemorate the famous rides to warn Massachusetts Patriots that "the British are coming!"

On the night of 18-19 April in 1775, Paul Revere and three other riders warned the countryside around Boston that the British Army was marching to Concord to confiscate arms and gunpowder. 

When the patriots in Boston found out from their spies that the British were planning to go out to Concord to seize an arms and ammunition cache, then arrest the members of the PC, Paul Revere, William Dawes, Samuel Prescott, and a few men whose names are lost to history made ready to ride out to Concord along the spy road to warn the town and the Congress. Word came that the British would set out from Boston on the night of April 18th. Now all they needed to know was what route the soldiers would take out to Concord.

This image, from the Paul Revere house website, shows the two possible routes:

The “land” route is in green. The green line that begins in Boston actually covers up the thin, long neck of land that connected the city to the mainland, but there was a land line, and if the British went south, that would be going “by land”. This was a longer, more roundabout way to Concord, but it avoided the difficulties of the sea route.

The “sea” route is in blue. The little blue boat covers up the Charles River that lay between Boston and Charlestown. Taking this route, the British got to Concord a little sooner, but also got very wet embarking and disembarking and then marching through swamp land on the shore.

Dawes actually took off first, before Revere, going by way of the land route just before the British army sealed off the city. Revere snuck across the Charles River to Charlestown, illegally crossing the river at night, to warn the citizens that the army might be coming through at any moment. Revere and the citizens of Charlestown whom he had alarmed then waited for a signal from Robert Newman, sexton of the Old North Church in Boston, about whether the British were indeed on their way, or taking the southern route.

One lantern for the southern route; two for the river crossing. Two lanterns appeared in the steeple for less than a minute, lest they be sighted. The men of Charlestown began their preparations, hiding horses that could be commandeered by the British and getting word to their militia men to start for Concord. Revere got on his horse and tore down the spy road through Menotomy and Medford, “alarming” the citizens that “the Regulars are out!” (This referred to the soldiers of the British Regular Army.) When he arrived in Lexington, and the house Hancock and Samuel Adams were staying at, a man in the house was waked up by Revere shouting. He asked Revere why he was making so much noise in the middle of the night. “Noise!” retorted Revere. “You’ll have more noise than this before long! The regulars are coming out!”

The rest is history. The British completed their sea route to Concord, and a famous standoff ensued—more on that another time. For now, “one if by land, two if by sea” is fully explained for all, and makes a satisfying addition to our store of knowledge on our country’s founding.

18 April - Memorial Day Announcements

Make your plans to attend Granby’s annual Memorial Day Parade and program to be held on Monday, May 26.  Parade Marshal and American Legion Post 182 Commander Cliff Burrell announced that this year’s honorary parade marshal is United States Navy veteran James O. Hall.  “This is the second consecutive year we’ve asked Jim to honor us in this capacity, in part because he has played such a big role in Granby’s Memorial Day events over the past 40 years.  He is practically a Granby institution personified!”

Parade units will assemble in parking lots around Bank Street beginning at 9:00 AM, then line up at 9:30 a.m.  The Parade will step off at 10 a.m. sharp.  Stops will be made to lay wreaths at the War on Terror, Legion and World War I monuments before continuing to the cemetery. Services there will include Colonel Neal Byrne, Commander of the Air National Guard 103d Airlift Wing, and Command Chief Master Sergeant Richard Marks, the 103d’s senior enlisted Airman, as guest speakers.  The invocation and benediction will be offered and wreaths will be laid.  There will also be a 21-gun salute, and Taps will be played in remembrance of all who served.

It is important to remember that Memorial Day is a time for solemn remembrance, honoring the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  While we hold all veterans in high regard, this day is particularly devoted to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  We kindly remind Parade attendees that the event's dignity must be preserved, and as such, whimsical costumes and the throwing of parade favors by marching participants are not permitted.

Following the ceremony, the Parade will return to the Town Green.  After a brief recess, music that celebrates America will be provided.   A limited number of concession stands on the Green will offer food for sale.

 

All vehicles, floats, and concessions on the Green require the approval of Parade Committee Chairman Bill De Nio.  This measure ensures that everything aligns with the spirit and standards of the event.  For more information, email Bill at GranbyMemorialDay@gmail.com.   Up-to-the-minute details will be published at https://www.post182alct.org/memorial-day-2025-1.