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The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic,
mutual-help, war-time veterans organization. A community-service
organization which now numbers nearly 3 million members -- men and women
-- in nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. These Posts are
organized into 55 Departments -- one each for the 50 states, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines.
The American Legion's national headquarters is in Indianapolis, Indiana,
with additional offices in Washington, DC. In addition to thousands of
volunteers serving in leadership and program implementation capacities in
local communities to the Legion's standing national commissions and
committees, the national organization has a regular full-time staff of
about 300 employees
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Who We Are
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For God and Country we associate ourselves together for the following
purposes:
to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the great wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and goodwill on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness. |
What We Do
Boys State/Girls State
American
Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs
of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory
program where each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local,
county and state government.
Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935 when it
organized to counter the Fascist inspired Young Pioneer Camps. The program was
the idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, who
organized the first Boys State at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.
The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a similar program for young ladies called
Girls State.
At American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and
privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The
training is objective and practical with city, county and state governments
operated by the students elected to the various offices. Activities include
legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations,
assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs.
High school juniors are selected by local American Legion Posts to attend the
program.
Post 158 and Unit 158 in conjunction with Lisbon High School sends 6 - 10 Boys and Girls to Dirigo Boys State/Girls State every year.
Scouting
Support for the Boy Scout movement came at The American Legion's first National Convention in 1919. Today, there are more than 2,500 Boy Scout units sponsored by Legion Posts throughout the country. Supporting Boy Scout activities is natural for Legionnaires, who bring their service-learned skills and experiences as veterans to bear to help build character and positive traits in "Young America". Few other Post activities generate more goodwill from the community.
Post 158 sponsors Boy Scout Troop 124 and Pack 124 in Lisbon. In addition to providing a place for them to meet and to store items, we assist in fund raisers, suppers and breakfasts put on by the Scouts at the Post and provide financial aid as needed and for summer camps.
High School Oratorical Contest
The purpose of The American Legion’s National High School Oratorical Contest is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship.
Post 158 Lisbon and Post 66 Lisbon Falls, in conjunction with and with the help of Lisbon High School, sponsor a joint Oratorical contest in January of each year. Winners go on to compete at the County level and can continue on to the District, State and National level. The Post provides monetary awards as well as medals.
In 2004, a young lady from Lisbon won at the Post, County, District and State levels and traveled to Indianapolis to represent the State of Maine in the National Oratorical Contest.
Scholarships
Each year the post provides scholarships to deserving High School Graduates to continue their education. Additionally the Post offers Commanders Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces or nephews of current or deceased members of Post 158. The SAL also offers a scholarship for members or children, grandchildren of current or deceased members in good standing of the Squadron, Post or Unit. The Post has also added a non-traditional scholarship. Applications for these scholarships can be found on this web site. Click on the Scholarship Applications button. Qualifications and information on each scholarship are contained on the form. Persons are encouraged to apply for all scholarships for which they qualify.
School Awards
The American Legion School Awards program sponsored by Post 158 and Lisbon Community School provides awards for the graduating Sixth Grade Boy and Girl who display those qualities of Academics and Patriotism which are the foundation of the American Legion. Chosen by their teachers each Boy and girl is awarded a medallion and a Certificate at their Graduation Ceremony each year.
Community Support
In addition to the formal programs conducted throughout the year we are also involved in our community. We provide Library Books in memory of deceased members. Each year we donate $1200.00 to the Lisbon Elementary School Campership program in memory of Frank Karkos. We support the D.A.R.E program, Lisbon Hockey, Lisbon Junior Athletic League Baseball, Sponsor and organize the Memorial day Parade with Post 66, place over one hundred flags on the graves of veterans in every cemetery in Lisbon for Memorial Day to name a few. Service to our community, State and Nation is a hallmark of the American Legion and Post 158.
Veterans Support
Post 158 has several programs which provide support for Veterans throughout the local community, State of Maine and the Nation. The Post contributes to the National and State Emergency Funds which provide help in times of emergency such as hurricanes, floods and natural disasters. These funds provide loans and grants to assist people to get through these times. We support Togus through contributions to VAVS and through the many volunteer hours provided by members of the Post and Auxiliary. The SAL contributes to Beal's House and the Child Welfare Foundation. We have provided benefit dinners to raise money to help our veterans and their families with medical bills in their time of need. Whenever possible we assist families in their time of mourning, providing Military Honors and Memorial Services for deceased members and assist their families with benefits when necessary.
Post 158, Auxiliary Unit 158 and Sons of the American Legion Squadron 158 work together to carry out the programs of the American Legion. In 2004 over $14,000 was donated in the form of scholarships and donations to organizations in the Community and the State. We would love to have you join our Legion Family. Please check the membership page for eligibility or come in and see us.
