The American Legion started as a Veterans Association of Co. G.G.T.Y. organized February 4, 1919 at the Town Hall Clinton, CT. This unit was the start, while letters were summited for a permanent charter to the American Legion to be called Howard Hilliard Post #66. The original application for a charter was submitted to the Department of Connecticut on April 6,1919 with final approval from the National Department on November 26, 1919.
Howard Hilliard was the first Clinton native to perish in World War I and the membership picked this person who lost his life in the "war to end all wars". There were a total of 16 members who started the Post Shortly after receiving their charter the wives and daughters of veterans decided there was a need for a Women's Auxiliary and so submitted a letter to National and the Department of Connecticut for a charter. This was granted on January 11, 1921. The Auxiliary members went to hospitals and assisted veterans in need. They went to CT Veterans Home and entertained sick veterans and did many hours each year to help those in need. Also they supported their Post Home and Town. Many civic duties were performed. The town at this time was small. Everyone knew each other and so it was that other organizations were Legion, Auxiliary, Red Men, Fire Department, Masons etc. Many people belonged to several organizations and there was a spirit of camaraderie among the various organizations. The Legion's affiliation with the Fire Department, Red Men, Masons etc. all doing many civic endeavors as the American Legion's preamble states. "To enhance the Nation, State and Town". Many members were involved in town government. For many years the members of all organizations, led by the American Legion, put on shows at the Post Home and Christmas parties for all the children in town at the Clinton Movie House. They decorated the town, sponsored scouts and an oratorical contest. Clinton was a small town the did not exceed 2500 townspeople, however, they made up for it in every way by being involved and continues to this day.
The years moved on and the town grew a little and then instead of the "war to end all wars", along came WWII and many who fought as young men in WWI saw their sons and daughters, and even some of themselves, back defending our country. This was a hard time for our town. Many left to fight and the town services were hard hit for help. But as needed, others stepped forward to do what was needed to insure that those who went to war were supported. The Legion, other organizations, Townspeople and school children collected scrap metal and other items to help out. The Post build a rifle range for men to practice as well as our Police Force to keep their skills up during the war years. Members also worked with Civil Defense and policed the town and were plane spotters to protect our coast. The Post, being the only veteran's organization in town made sure we observed Veteran's Day and Decoration Day and continues to make sure we do not forget those who have passed on and those veterans in hospitals and families of all who served. We, as a veteran organization can never forget the sacrifice made and also those civilians who made up the men and women of the "greatest generation" during World War II. The Legion continues to be in the forefront in regards to veteran's needs. Our Service Officer works with the Department of Connecticut to provide needed services to vets and their families.
As we move into the year Two Thousand and the conflicts that have made our men and women to be in harms way to insure the safety of our country the American Legion remains committed to helping those who serve. We need the numbers in the Legion to be able to make sure our government and representatives in Washington insure that money and facilities to care for returning personnel are sufficient for the needs or our men and women in uniform. We, as a veteran's organization, are committed to peace; however we support our troops and our government during these trying times. For many years Dan Vece Jr., along with his Mom and Dad worked for the town and Legion. Mike Escalera, as Service Officer has helped many town veterans get the benefits that they deserve. There are many who make the Legion work and who continue to this day to insure that the memories and association continue every Memorial Day and Veteran's Day and every day throughout the year to try to help and insure that our government does what is needed to insure the needs of our men and women in harms way that as they return to their homes and family that their needs for medical or financial help is available. It takes many to insure that they continue to provide the money and programs to a make it possible for those veterans to be treated with the best possible services to insure their return to normal life. The Post Home has been a place of haven for the veterans as they return and we hope it continues into the future. As those of us leave to their final rest, just like those in WWI ands WWII and all to the present, there will be new veterans to take up the role of guardians to insure our hope and continuity in the future of our American Legion Home to the benefit of our veterans and our town. The youth who hear the stories and join the ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veteran's Day our greatest asset. The many teachers and school administrators are to be commended for their cooperation.
Many people have been instrumental in building our Legion and it is impossible to give credit to everyone involved since its formation as an American Legion Post. For many years Barbara Vincelette kept the Auxiliary going and the Post continues to benefit from her hard work. The Post also made our Post Home available to the elderly for meals and the Meals on Wheels program in Clinton for several decades until their recent move to Town Hall at their own request. The Legion provided a warm and welcoming place for these seniors and sincerely hope that they like their new meal center. We will sorely miss those elderly townspeople.
Twice a year, for Memorial Day and Veteran's Day, we host a free dinner for veterans and their guest at the Post Hall so we can get together socially and catch up with old friends and let them know they are not forgotten.
We also work to make sure that our schools and town officials do not forget our veterans by forming a committee of four members to coordinate and take care of items such as our memorial addition. We also make sure that we have members who provide military honors at the interment of veterans and provide grave markers and flags as needed. Recently we were asked if we could help out a group of women who do a wonderful job of sending packages and letters to men and women deployed overseas. We provide the Shoreline Community Women, Inc. with use of our hall for their monthly meetings at no cost to them. They need the support as mailing costs for the packages is a major expense. We also provide a free home for the V.F.W. so this unit can do their work for veterans. We need to hope that new members will take up the cause to inure that this 90-year old organization will continue its good work.
