Activities

The Canandaigua Post 256 Honor Guard proudly serves at veterans’ funerals, flag dedications and other events.

For more information about Canandaigua Post 256 Honor Guard, call (585) 394-3790 or send us a message at post256@alny256.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
 

 Color Guard serves in parades and other functions with the Honor Guard.

For more information about Canandaigua Post 256 Color Guard, or to volunteer, call (585) 394-3790 or send us a message to post256@alny256.com.  We look forward to hearing from you! 

The Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags is outlined in Resolution No. 440 passed by the 19th National Convention of The American Legion in New York, Sept. 20-23, 1937. The ceremony has been an integral part of American Legion ritual since that date.

Canandaigua Post 256 has installed a metal flag drop-off box located to the left of our parking lot at the rear of the building. Residents are encouraged to deposit unserviceable flags at any time all year long. The collection will become part of the Retired Flag Ceremony at Post 256; a ceremony that follows the annual American Legion tradition on Flag Day, June 14th

The Blue star Service Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Captain Robert Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry, who had two sons serving on the front lines in Europe. It quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in the service. 
On September 24, 1917, the following was read into the Congressional Record after the service flag was adopted by the State of Ohio:  "...The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the world to a mother and father - their children." The Blue Star Banner tradition was continued during World War II, but not embraced during the Korean or Vietnam wars. The American Legion is rekindling the tradition and spirit of pride in our military men and women following the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001.
Today, Blue Star Service Banners are displayed by families who have a loved one serving in the armed forces, including activated members of the National Guard and Reserves, whether the family member is a son, daughter, husband, wife or grandchild. The blue star represents one family member serving in the armed forces. A banner can have up to five stars, signifying that five members of that family are currently on active duty.
American Legion Post 256 is providing banners to families in Canandaigua. The banner is to be displayed in the front window of a home, showing a family's pride in their loved one serving in the military and reminds others that preserving America's freedom demands much. The service person's name, represented by each star, will be kept as a permanent record and displayed at the Post.
For more information about Canandaigua Post 256 Blue Star Banners, call (585) 394-3790 or send us a message at post256@alny256.com . One of our Board members or Post Officers will respond. We look forward to hearing from you!

Today, Legion posts sponsor more than 2,500 Scouting units across the country. This is natural for Legionnaires, who bring their service-learned skills and experiences as veterans to help build character and positive traits in our country’s youth. Few other post activities generate more goodwill from the community.
About The American Legion Square Knot Award -The Square Knot Award recognizes members of the American Legion family who are dedicated to and actively involved in furthering the Boy Scouts of America program. This award is designed to recognize American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion members who are actively involved in the Scouting program. This award is not meant to be a selective or limited award, but one that is available to any American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion member who completes the requirements for the award. The award is meant to recognize dedication and work required by an American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion member to assist in furthering the Scouting program in The American Legion. The Square Knot Award consists of a gold and purple square knot, which may be worn on the Scout uniform, certificate and congratulatory letter from the National Commander of The American Legion.
The American Legion also honors the Eagle Scout of the Year at the national convention with a $10,000 scholarship. The three runners-up get $2,500. Further information is available from department adjutants or the Americanism and Children & Youth Division at https://www.legion.org/scouting.
For more information about Canandaigua Post 256 activities in collaboration with the Boy Scouts of America and how you can take part, call (585) 394-3790 or send us a message to post256@alny256.com . We look forward to hearing from you!

The St. Pauly Textile Collection has provided a drop-box at our Post 256 site for clothing and other used items.
The St. Pauly Textile is a family-run business based out of Western New York. They collect and send clothing to those who can use it. Through their program, they also directly help local non-profit organizations with fundraising.This is how it works:
They place a used clothing drop off shed at a local community organization, such as a church, school, or clothing closet.
Community members donate clothing by placing it in the shed. Receipts for tax deductions are stored in a mailbox on the shed.
They collect the clothing donations and distribute them both here in the U.S. and internationally.

They give funding to local non-profit partners for the clothing collected at their shed.
In turn, Post 256 can use the money for youth groups, sports teams, mission projects, and other community-oriented activities.
The St. Pauly Textile business keeps 70,000 pounds of clothing out of the landfill every day and gets the clothing to people who need it. At the same time, they provide a great fundraising opportunity for Post 256 and other participating organizations. St. Pauly Textile is an A+ rated member of the Better Business Bureau. 

For more information about this activity contact Canandaigua Post 256 at (585) 394-3790 or by Email at post256@alny256.com . We look forward to hear from you.