American Legion Post 156
AMERICAN LEGION POST 156 ORANGE, VA
At American Legion Post 156, our mission is to provide support for our veterans, our defense, our youth and our patriotic values. We want to strengthen America through personal guidance and assistance for veterans, active duty military personnel, their families and the communities they live in. Help comes as cash grants, donated goods, disaster relief, labor, networking, volunteerism, benefits assistance, career assistance, comfort for the recovering, family support, homeless veteran outreach and more.
Post Officers
Commander: Alan Drinkwater 434 - 249 - 6897
1st Vice Commander: Vacant
2nd Vice Commander: Vacant
Finance Officer: John Threlkeld 540 - 672 - 8029
Adjutant: Glenn Forney 540 - 672 - 8974
Service Officer: Vacant
Chaplin: Ronnie Hogston 540 - 672 - 2449
Sergeant at Arms: Izzy Gallihugh 540 - 748 - 2398
Historian: Vacant
Facebook: Glenn Forney 540 - 672 - 8974
Webmaster: Joe Hayes 240 - 882 - 9816
ABOUT US
Here at American Legion Post 156 we are not just a place where a bunch of old guys sit around telling stories and drinking beer. In fact, Post 156 does not serve alcohol. It does allow members who wish to drink alcohol to bring their own. The post is open to members and their guests every Thursday for a meal and camaraderie. The third Thursday of each month features our post meeting where we discuss the current state of the Post and plans for upcoming events and community activities. The meeting starts at 7 PM. So, if you are a veteran who has served anytime since December 7th, 1941 and received an honorable discharge or a discharge under honorable conditions, you are eligible for membership.
American Legion
Post 156
341 Newton Street
Orange, VA 22960
Interested in joining Post 156? Goto www.legion.org/join or come to our next meeting, it is usually the third Thursday of each month at 7PM.
email us at OrangePost156@gmail.com
How about a Three-year Membership?
More than 8,000 American Legion members have taken advantage of the new multiyear membership option for renewals and new joins. Ready to lock in a three year membership before the national per-capita dues increase goes into effect? It's easy. Here's how:
For renewals, visit Legion.org/renew and select the multi-year membership option.
For new joins, visit Legion.org/join and select the multi-year membership option.
"We have wanted this multiyear option for our members and now it's here, the excitement it shows for the number of legionaries who have taken advantage of it," National Membership & Post Activities Committee Chairman Matt Jabaut said. "The multiyear membership option saves members from receiving renewal notices every year and it's another great benefit to being an American Legion member."
The American Legion's national per-capita dues will increase from $18.50 to $23.50 starting with the 2025 membership year. The $5 increase will go into effect July 1, 2024.
Reminders about multiyear membership:
- Multiyear membership sign-up is only available on the national American Legion website (legion.org/renew) and (legion.org/join). Current or potential members cannot renew of join for a three-year membership at the post level.
- Payment for the three-year membership is upfront.
- There is not a discounted rate with the three-year membership.
- Membership cards will still be sent annually by Legion posts.
- Those who sign up for a multiyear membership will not receive a renewal notice during the time they have signed up for the multiyear membership.
Post 156 sends students from Orange County High School to Virginia Boys State and Virginia Girls State every year. The Post pays $500 for each student we send. These events allows the selected students to learn politics through the election process for the various offices of the mythical 51st state. These two separate programs are week-long activities in which participants are chosen through coordination with counselors at the High School. More information can be found at the links below.
Due to increases in the cost for the Girls State and Boys State program, the Post is always looking for local sponsors to help offset the cost of sending our local students. In 2024 we received $250 from the Orange Women's Club, $500 from Marilyn Ramey and $500 from Alan and Willow Drinkwater to help send our 5 young ladies to Girls State. We received $2000 from Alan Drinkwater to help send our 5 young gentlemen to Boys State.
Sorry no photo of our girls this year. But we proudly sent:
Faith Webb,
Megan Atkinson,
Montunrayo Ajibulu,
Rachael Winn &
Kyleigh Giglio
From left to right, Aidan Calleja, Michael Clay Jr. and Collin Crooker. Not shown Blake Babcock and Blake Aguilar.
American Legion Baseball
Post 156 restarted the Baseball Program with two junior teams in 2023 and had a successful 2024. In 2024 we lost some of our coaches and were limited to one Senior team. Senior teams usually have players in the 16 to 19 year old range. Players for the Junior team can be in the 13-17 year old range, 18 and 19 year olds must play Senior ball.
Unfortunately we could not find any coaches and we will NOT field a team in 2025. We will try again in 2026 if anyone is interested in coaching next season please let me know!
Contact Joe Hayes at OrangePost156@gmail.com
or 240 882 9816.
Post 156 is a proud supporter of Troop 14, which is one of the oldest, continuous chartered Troops in the country. Anyone interested in joining or volunteering in this proud tradition is encouraged to contact Glenn Forney at 540 672-8974.
Find us on Facebook @ OrangeTroop14
2024 Edward B. Sparks Scholarship
Lesley Tellez Martinez receives the Edward B. Sparks Scholarship of 3000 dollars given by the American Legion and presented by Mr. Alan Drinkwater, Commander of Post 156 in Orange VA.
The Post 156 Legion Riders are looking for new members.
If you're interested contact Glenn Forney at 540 672-8974
Hall Rental Information
$500 A DAY FOR FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.
$200 A DAY FOR MONDAYS THRU THURSDAYS.
ALL HOLIDAYS ARE AT WEEKEND RATES.
$100 OF RENTAL FEE IS NEEDED TO RESERVE THE DATE AND IS NONREFUNDABLE.
$250 SECURITY DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED FOR ALL RENTALS. THE SECURITY DEPOSIT WILL BE RETURNED IF THERE ARE NO REPAIRS OR CLEANING REQUIRED.
We only accept payments in cash, check or money order
THE LEGAL CAPACITY OF THE HALL IS 200 PERSONS.
RENTAL INCLUDES KITCHEN, 14 SIX FOOT TABLES, 16 EIGHT FOOT TABLES AND 200 CHAIRS.
NOTE: For members of Post 156, with a 1 year membership credit. Rental Fees are half of the listed rates above.
Center Stage
Front Entrance
Kitchen
Hall to the right
Hall to the left
Corner bar
For reservations please contact Alan Drinkwater at 434-249-6897 or email him at AlanDrinkwater434@gmail.com
Flag Disposal
Do you have old flags that need to be retired? Our Flag "mailbox" at the Orange Visitor Center has been fully restored, thanks to Glenn Forney. Please bring your old flags there for proper disposal.
Need a new flag?
3x5 =$35
5x8 =$45
Need Help With your VA Benefits? Or just need help, let us know.
We are here to help, if you are a veteran please call Post 156 Commander, Alan Drinkwater at 434 249-6897 if you are having problems getting any of your VA Benefits or require any help.
The Virginia Department of Veteran Services (DVS) is also a great source for information and assistance, call them at 804 786-0286 or visit the new Virginia Veterans Network at www.dvs.virginia.gov. DVS also has a suicide prevention Lifeline/Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.
We have built a list of organizations below, some of which have unique approaches that you may not have known or considered.
Suicide & Crisis LIFELINE
Dial 9-8-8
or text 838255
The Fallen Outdoors
Outdoor adventures for Veterans
email: va.lead@thefallenoutdoors.com
phone: 802 238-6990
Leashes of Valor
Service dogs
email: info@leashesofvalor.org
phone: 804 633-1010
Memory Care
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Treatment
https://www.memorycare.com/veterans/
Paws4vets
Service dogs
https://paws4people.org/give/nick-travis
Horse and Soul Counseling
Equine therapy
email: thiggins@horseandsoulcounseling.com
phone: 540 220-1305
22 till None
Crisis prevention
phone: 540 207-2409
The HEAL Foundation
Equine therapy
email: lisa@heal.foundation
phone: 571 445-0221
Gold Star Mothers
Veteran and family support
email: nancy.stets@gmail.com
Lakeside Manual Physical Therapy
phone: 540 854-0367
Mountainside Physical Therapy
email: mpt@mountainsidept.com
phone: 540 987-9390
Project Healing Waters Flyfishing
Fly fishing therapy
email: daveward@projecthealingwaters.org
Angel Wings for Veterans
Transportation assistance
email: angelwingsforveterans.org
phone: 888 675-1405
Addiction Support
AddictionHelp.com
phone: 866 788-0805
Addiction Treatment
TheRecoveryVillage.com/resources/veterans
phone: 866 761-1832
Purple Heart Recipient Benefits
Link- news.va.gov/106548/purple-heart-day-and-va-be-benefits-to-recipients/
VA Disability Calculator
veteransguide.org/va-disability-calculator
Seniors Guide to VA Benefits
Link- caring.com/caregivers/veterans-benefits/#va-benefits-explained
Mesothelioma Support
Link- lanierlawfirm.com/mesothelioma/cancer
Link- mesothelioma.net/mesothelioma-and-veterans/
Non-traditional Education Support
Link- intelligent.com/veterans-guide-to-vocational-and-apprenticeship-programs/
Disabled and need Home Modifications?
disAbility Resource Center of the Rappahannock, Inc. Link- cildrc.org
Need a little inspiration? Look no further, we have a very powerful address given at Liberty University by Army Ranger, turned Army Chaplin, Jeff Struecker. Please goto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy7yoNr9d6E
What we have been up to.....
The American Legion,
Department of Virginia
Middle School Essay Contest
Open to all accredited Middle School Students at participating schools, Public, Private, or Parochial within Orange County, Virginia. Homeschooled children are also eligible to compete provided the Division Superintendent, his/her assistant, or other designated person of the public school system certifies on the Entry Declaration Form, the student's grade level and their adherence to contest rules. It shall be the responsibility of the home schooler's parents to contact Post 156 and have the certifications completed.
This year, Locust Grove Middle School and Prospect Heights Middle School participated with Chloe Finger of Locust Grove selected as the winner of the Post 156 contest. Hanna Rose was the winner from Prospect Heights in a very close competition. Chloe will represent Post 156 and Orange County in the American Legion District 13 contest.
Post 156 winner from Locust Grove Middle School, Alan Drinkwater, Ms. Jackson, Joe Hayes, Chloe Finger and Principal Sodano.
Post 156 second place winner from Prospect Heights Middle School, Assistant Principal Wilson, Alan Drinkwater, Hanna Rose, Ms. Burnett and Joe Hayes.
American Legion 2025
Oratorical Scholarship Program
There are 5 rounds to the competition;
Round 1 for Post 156 was scheduled to be held here in Orange on January 12th but due to some miscommunication with the contestants and the snowstorm, they failed to show. Unfortunately, Orange had no representative in the District 13 contest.
Round 2 the District level, was held at Post 156 in Orange on January 17th. Paxton Miller from Post 175 was selected as the
District 13 winner to represent us in the Regional Contest.
Mark Farmer District 13 Chairman, Paxton Miller Post 175, Allen Plymale Post 90,
Chase Adams Post 90, Caroline Wright Post 157 and Joe Hayes Post 156.
Round 3 was the Regional level, held at the Springfield Post 176 on 1 February. Our representative, Paxton Miller from Post 175 in Mechanicsville finished second, representing District 13 very well. Since Paxton is only in the 9th grade he can come back again next year.
Round 4 the State or Department level, will be held at Portsmouth on 1 March.
Round 5 the Nationals, will be held in Hillsdale Michigan May 17-19. The American Legion will pay transportation and hotel costs for the participant and a legal guardian.
For more information please go to legion.org/oratorical
Orange County High School students interested in participating in 2026 should contact Principal Wayne Price or Ms. Teaira White of the Counseling Staff. Students who are homeschooled or attend private school can contact Joe Hayes at 240 882 9816 or email at OrangePost156@gmail.com.
Upcoming Events
The drawing will be held on Saturday, May 10th, 2025 at 11 a.m. in the hall basement on Newton Street. It will also be 'Live Streamed' on our Facebook page which can be found at: Facebook.com/American Legion Post 156, Orange, Virginia
Thank you for your support and Good Luck!
Our American Legion Auxiliary has been inactive but we are presently working for the return of this part of the American Legion Family at Post 156. If interested please contact Commander Drinkwater.
Sons of the American Legion; always looking for new members!
email; OrangePost156@gmail.com
American Legion Riders; Needs new members, contact Glenn Forney
Phone 540 672-8029
Interested in joining the Legion family at Post 156? Contact the folks listed above or goto www.legion.org/join, or come to our next meeting, it is usually the third Thursday of each month at 7PM.
Our address is:
341 Newton Street
Orange, Virginia 22960
You can also contact us at:
P.O. Box 761
Orange, VA 22960-0435
341 Newton Street, Orange, VA 22960, USA
email us at OrangePost156@gmail.com