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: Vacant
Historian: Vacant
Webmaster: Joe Hayes 540 - 854 - 5364
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
Post 156 sends students from Orange County High School to Virginia Boys State and Virginia Girls State every year. The Post pays $400 for each boy and $500 for each girl 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 recent increases in the cost for Girls State, the Post is looking for local sponsors to help offset the cost of sending our local girls. The want to recognize and thank the UNITED BANK of MECHANICSVILLE, VA for sponsoring two boys for 2023.
American Legion Baseball
Post 156 has restarted the Baseball Program for the summer of 2023. We are looking for local sponsors to help us give our youth an option to play at a reasonable cost. We are fielding two Junior teams this year, both will play home games at Locust Grove Middle School. (Just off of Rt 20 at 6368 Flat Run Road, Locust Grove, VA 22508) For simplicity we are calling one team Orange, and the other White for the color of their jerseys. Please come out and watch the teams play, there is no admission fee. Schedules are subject to change so please check back here often.
Interested in sponsoring a team for next year? We have several options! All interested parties can contact Joe Hayes with questions at OrangePost156@gmail.com or 540 854 5364.
Team Orange
Team White
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 @Troop14
The Post 156 Legion Riders are always looking for new members.
We are planning to participate in the Legacy Run in 2023. The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run was one of the longest, largest organized rides in the country.
If you're interested contact Glenn Forney at 540 672-8974
Upcoming Events
Memorial Day
Monday, May 29th, we will be honoring this day along with the VFW Post 2217 at the Orange American Legion Hall. Music will begin at 10:30 and the ceremony starts at 11:00 AM.
Veterans do NOT have to be disabled to register. No fishing license required.
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 is currently at the Post undergoing restoration. Please bring your old flags to the Post on Thursday evenings for proper disposal. Once the restoration is complete, we will return the flag mailbox and resume picking up old flags there.
Need a new flag?
3x5 =$35
5x8 =$45
Come by the Post on Thursday evening or contact any member.
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 is also a great source for information and assistance, call them at 804 786-0286. They also have a suicide prevention Lifeline/Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.
If you have missed our Veteran Support Events, we have built a list of organizations that have different methods that you may not have previously known or considered.
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
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
What we have been up to.....
JROTC AWARDS
Dr. Katherine Rosemond speaking at the Unionville Brewery
In a special collaboration between Orange American Legion Post 156 and the James Madison VFW Post 2217, a veterans event was held at the Unionville Brewery on November 5, 2022. This is the third event we have organized in Orange County and we intend to continue offering this event at least once a year. The purpose is to bring veterans together with a variety of support groups that they may not know exist. We are very proud that the number of support groups has grown for each event. At the last event we had two excellent guest speakers Dr. Katherine Rosemond and Retired CPO Michael Wade. Both are widely respected and accomplished in the handling and treatment of Post Traumatic Stress.
US Navy CPO (Retired) Mike Wade speaking at the Unionville Brewery.
Post 156 takes second place in the "Wheeled Division" of the 2022 Orange Christmas Parade. Good work, Bill Poff!
December 3, 2022
In support of the Orange County High School JROTC, Post 156 was there to recognize the cadets!
Vernon Jones
50 Years
Mr. Vernon Jones receives his American Legion certificate for 50 years of consecutive service presented by Post 156 Commander Alan Drinkwater.
Kevin Reynolds
50 Years
Mr. Kevin Reynolds Sr receives his American Legion certificate for 50 years of consecutive service presented by Post 156 Commander Alan Drinkwater and flanked by his sons, Kevin Jr and John.
341 Newton Street, Orange, VA 22960, USA
email us at OrangePost156@gmail.com
Our American Legion Auxiliary is currently inactive but we would love to see it's return. If interested please contact Commander Drinkwater.
Sons of the American Legion Commander; Thomas 'Moose' Mallory
email; OrangePost156@gmail.com
American Legion Riders; 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.