Chris Conlin Selected As American Legion Outstanding Post Commander

West Hartford, CT  ( July 17, 2013)  The Connecticut Department of the American Legion has awarded the Louis E. Molinaro Plaque to Hayes-Velhage Post 96  Post Commander Chris Conlin as the most outstanding Post Commander for 2013.  The award was presented July 11 at the State Convention of The American Legion in Rocky Hill.”

Commander Conlin, in conjunction with VFW Post 9929 of West Hartford, supported the 143rd Military Police Company of the CT Army National Guard during their recent deployment to Afghanistan providing comfort kits of personal items throughout their deployment.   He conducted fundraisers for the 143rd Family Readiness Group, a unit dedicated to supporting the families of deployed national guardsmen.

During his tenure as Post Commander, Conlin focused the Post’s recruiting efforts on veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Commander Conlin enlisted in the Army in 1971 and served in Vietnam with the 198th and 11th Light Infantry Brigades of the Americal Division and later in a Recon Team with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade before returning to the U.S. in 1972.  Upon release from active duty in 1973, Commander Conlin served with the 76th Army Reserve Unit in West Hartford, CT. 

With a current membership of 2.4-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

The American Legion of West Hartford is open to military veterans who have served honorably during a wartime era and military personnel currently on active duty. Further information is available at www.post96.org or visit Hayes-Velhage Post 96 at 45 Raymond Road, West Hartford, CT. 06107, phone 860-233-9029.