The American Legion Family is planning a multi-town Meet & Greet to be offered on Saturday, April 22, 11 am to 2 pm, at Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street.

Beverages and breakfast snacks will be served.

All veterans who served honorably are welcome. Veterans do not need to have served overseas to join, nor do they need to live in Newtown. American Legion Posts from multiple towns will be represented; guests will be invited to join the post of their choice.

Veteran family members are welcome. A veteran may be living or deceased.

The American Legion honors the service of veterans who have died, and admits their relatives too.

American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion Family will be there as well.

American Legion Auxiliary welcomes spouses, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, mothers, and grandmothers of veterans, living or deceased, or military currently serving. Sons of the American Legion welcomes sons and grandsons of veterans, living or deceased, and military currently serving.

The American Legion is an active organization supporting veterans, veteran families, towns and schools. Annual activities for the local post include participating in the Newtown Labor Day Parade, and presenting a Kids Fishing Derby, Oratorical Contest (grades 9-12), Boys & Girls State (HS Juniors), Veterans Day at Newtown High School, Valentines for Troops, awards for graduating high school seniors, and Memorial Day ceremonies.

This year’s Newtown Memorial Day observance will be Saturday, May 27, at 5 pm, at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Main Street at Hanover Road.

Those who would like to purchase a luminary in memory of someone or in thanks for a person can do so during the Meet & Greet.

To see what the local American Legion has done for Memorial Day the past three years, search YouTube for Taps Along the Housatonic.

Hearts of Hope-Newtown will have members at the Meet & Greet, with prepainted patriotic hearts and heart painting kits available to purchase.

Last year, Hearts of Hope sent over 100 hearts to one of the Army National Guard units that includes Major Sean Lee, DDS and owner of Newtown Smiles.

Earlier this year, about 150 hearts were made for and delivered to the US Air Force Aeromedical Evacuation Unit from McGuire Air Force Base. Captain Gracie Cudney, RN, is the niece of two members from Post 202.

American Legion Department Assistant Service Officer Mary Harris will be present from noon until 2 pm on April 23, answering questions regarding the newly passed PACT Act, veteran service needs, and offering information about filing claims for disability compensation for service-related injuries or illness.

Harris works with the Hartford Regional Office at Newington of the Veterans Administration. She is an accredited veteran service officer under the VA’s office of general council and a US Army veteran.

American Legion Post 202, which serves Newtown and Brookfield, meets the first Wednesday of every month, August through June, at Newtown Community Center. Meetings begin at 7 pm.

For additional information about the Meet & Greet and/or the local post, contact Post 202 Commander Donna A. Monteleone at AmericanLegionNewtown@gmail.com or 203-577-9568 before 7 pm.