Why we are not a Bar, but instead a Fraternal Organization of the Communities' Veterans who are leading the way.
What is a Dive Bar?
A dive bar is typically a small, unglamorous, eclectic, old-style drinking establishment with inexpensive drinks; it
may feature dim lighting, shabby or dated decor, neon beer signs, packaged beer sales, cash-only service, and local clientele.
What is a Canteen?
An archaic use was to describe a Sutler's Shop (A civilian merchant who sells provisions to an army in the field, in camp, or in quarters), where provisions were sold to the military.
What is the Albert J. Breault Post 1523 Canteen?
1.) Small
2.) Eclectic
3.) Old-Style w/ Inexpensive Drinks
4.) Cash-Only Service
5.) Local Clientele
6.) Civilian Merchant Canteen Manager
7.) Staffed by Stewards trained in Mercantile and Veteran Services
What is the Albert J Breault VFW Post 1523 as a whole?
1.) Veteran Services (By far, one of the most active in the state, Hundreds of Thousands of dollars in recent years)
2.) Patriotic Education (Nationally Recognized for many years and recently)
3.) Volunteers who will literally drive you to adjacent states for Medical Appointments
4.) Comrades who will help you Move your House
5.) Community Outreach - Multiple Staff on the Town of Putnam's Veteran's Advisory Committee
6.) Community Youth Involvement - multiple Scouting of America Programs
7.) Chaplain Services weekly, by someone educated at multiple Ministry Universities
8.) Comrades who pay your Family the upmost respect upon your passing.
9.) Membership of 170+ Members connected to Putnam that actively petition Congressmen and Senators to enact change for Veterans on the State and National Level.
10.) An Auxiliary that stands for backing the Post Members in ANY endeavor 100% (Some Posts have a battle for "Power" over this)
11.) A direct relationship to our Neighbors in making sure that we give them support as we can because just like Veterans, not everyone is doing ok.
12.) Transparency in all Fund-Raising so every penny donated is sure to go to what it was raised for.
13.) A real, tangible sense of Purpose is available to ANY Veteran needing that in their life by just getting more involved.
14.) No pressure on ANY Member to HAVE to get involved. Just the ask that you let us check on you.
15.) Conversion from a Bingo Hall to a Corporate Banquet Hall (Where Bingo Happens) for Community AND Member Use.
16.) And LASTLY... A Morale and Welfare environment called the Canteen. You never even have to step foot in it if you don't want to.
The Point:
Decades of being a Dive Bar have feverishly been erased. No One Does More for Veterans. That is the National VFW Slogan. We take it to heart and make sure that it is TRUE.
Many Veterans want to "Drown their sorrows." We are not going to judge on that. We just make it as safe as possible. We are striving to offer Wellness Services to help with that, should ANY Veteran OR Community Member want to partake in that. We aim to have the tools. We aren't forcing it, but they are there if you need to pick them up.
Stay Tuned. AA, NA, Mindfulness Programs... They are all on the docket.
Never judge a VFW by its Canteen. Those 170+ Veterans who deployed into Combat that I serve, deserve more. We do more. See what we actually do.
FOLLOW US