WELCOME TO PUTNAM

Putnam's Home for Veterans
Putnam Connecticut
 
As yesterday's defenders of freedom, we want to welcome today's military service members into our ranks to become part of our elite group.  Our common bond is the battlefield, whether it is service in the Persian Gulf, Korea, Kosovo, the war on terrorism or peace-keeping expeditionary campaigns. Your courage and sacrifice have made a difference in preserving and defending world peace.
 
Commander's Message:  We are here for you.  Without you, we have no purpose, and that is the silent killer of today's Veterans.  Let us help you.
 
Our Post is made up of not just the Veterans who deployed to Conflict Zones, but also the VFW Auxiliary, which is the Family of those who have deployed to conflict zones.  Their support of our programs and activities makes our mission all the more important.  The members of the Auxiliary know what it's like to be a Family member to a Service Member and the unique benefits and conflicts that come with being a family member.  Be sure to check out the Auxiliary's "About" section if you are a Family Member of a combat deployed Veteran.
 
Lastly, the Putnam VFW has the unique pleasure of working with the local Friends of VFW Post 1523, who are just Community Members that are dedicated to assisting us with our missions here at the Post!

Commander's Corner

Commander Jonathan Drew

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.

OUR MISSION

     A Post for the Veterans and their Families of the Putnam CT area.  A place of like-minded Veterans to relax and/or give back to the Putnam Community and the surrounding towns.  We strive to ensure Domestic Tranquility, promote the General Welfare, and Secure the Blessings of Liberty that we fought for, for our selves, our families and our neighbors.  If we don't do this, what were we doing when we served?
 
     We provide:  VA Benefits Counseling and Assistance, Catering, Banquet Hall space, Celebration of Life Services, Canteen liberties, Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Karaoke, Bingo Charity Fundraisers, Assorted Charity Fundraising, Scholarships, Community Outreach, Town of Putnam Veteran's Advisory Committee Members, Town of Putnam Parade Committee Members, Town of Putnam Veteran's Park Committee Members.
 
 
"That the purpose of this Corporation shall be fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable, and educational: to preserve and strengthen comradeship among its members; to assist worthy comrades; to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead; and to assist their widows and orphans; to maintain true allegiance to the Government of the United States of America, and fidelity to its Constitution and laws; to foster true patriotism; to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, and to preserve and defend the United States from all her enemies."
 
 

News & Events

Upcoming events

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View Local, State and National events. 

Membership

Membership Details

As yesterday's defenders of freedom...

 ...we want to welcome today's military service members into our ranks to become part of our elite group.

WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Kosovo, War in Afghanistan, War in Iraq, War on Global Terror and other Peace-Keeping Expeditionary Campaigns throughout the globe.

Assistance & Benefits

Assistance & Benefits

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is dedicated

 to supporting those who sacrifice so much for this country, veterans, service members in the US Armed Forces, and their families and continues to be a voice for returning and currently deployed service members and their families.

Post News

Important Info for Post1523 Members

Events

A birds eye view of events for the next few months

Church Services

Join us each weekend for a church service at The Gathering Place.

Statewide News

News & Info from your department

CT Veterans

Access Government Services Faster and Easier. The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs Mobile Application allows Connecticut Veterans and residents to access crisis assistance by phone, text, and online chat.

No One Knows how I Feel

Luster & McCoy - No One Knows How I Feel (Patriotic Tribute) aka "You Are Not Alone"

National News

Important info from National VFW

VFW Remembers Pearl Harbor

WASHINGTON - Dec. 7 is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) encourages all Americans to p...

VFW and Columbia University Announce Military Transition Collaboration

WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce its newest relationship with Columbia University's Center for...

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