American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96, based on West Hartford, has announced its new leadership.

Capt. Heidi-Anne Aloise Mooney, USMC, served as keynote speaker on Veterans Day, West Hartford, Nov. 11, 2020. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

Submitted

American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96 installed officers for the 2021-2022 term at their Post meeting held Sept. 8, 2021.

Patrick Harrell, who has served as post commander for the past year, was installed to serve another term as Hayes-Velhage Post 96 prepares for its centennial anniversary in 2022.  After graduating from the University of Connecticut, Harrell served in the Marine Corps as an infantry platoon commander in Vietnam with the 26th Marines, and 1^st Reconnaissance Battalion.

Heidi-Anne Mooney, who previously served as judge advocate, was installed as senior vice commander of Post 96. Mooney served in the Marine Corps as a combat engineer officer at 9th ESB in Okinawa, Japan and in South Korea and at 3rd MAW MCAS El Toro, Tustin and Miramar, CA.

Other members installed to Post 96 positions include Junior Vice Commander Mike DeLuca, Judge Advocate Jeffrey Linden, Finance Officer John Cotter,  Chaplain Barry Leghorn, and Executive Committeemen Sam Runde and Rob Giuffria.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.

The American Legion Post 96 of West Hartford has been serving our veterans and community since 1922 and will celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2022. The Post is open to all military veterans who have served honorably and military personnel currently on active duty. Further information is available at www.post96.org or by contacting the Post at Hayes-Velhage Post 96, P.O. Box 370160, West Hartford, CT. 06137-0160 or by phone at 860-233-9029.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.