By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Don Mulcahy likely shook his head several times as he looked at the deteriorating condition of American Legion Post 67 in Bridgton and wondered if his group of committed veterans and friends could pull off a total rebirth.

Under cloudy skies Saturday, the fruits of hard labor, a will to succeed and a community determined to save the Post were on full display as Commander Mulcahy took point on a very special rededication of Lopeman-Potts Post 67.

What were the keys to making the completed project a reality?

“The community of Bridgton! Without the generosity of the businesses, clubs, volunteers and trades people, it would not have happened,” said Mulcahy.

Mulcahy and Post supporters saw a diamond in the rough.

Today, the building is a “gem” — a place where veterans can seek out services and comradery. Creating a safe and welcoming place has also resulted in a surge in membership. Such a turnaround caught the attention of American Legion National Commander James “Bill” Oxford of North Carolina, who traveled here Saturday and received a Bridgton Police escort by Chief Phil Jones to the Post, along with Maine State Commander Matt Jabaut.

“I never invited the National Commander. Commander Oxford heard about our revitalization at the national level. He wanted to come and meet us because noonehad ever achieved 203% membership twice in one year.  No one had ever rebuilt an American Legion Post in the community to this extent in one year. We went on to restore a historic building at the same time with no funds. This kind of revitalization does not happen every day,” Mulcahy said.

The group started from scratch, but had a formula in mind to bring the Post back to prominence. They focused on the four pillars of the American Legion — veterans affairs and rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children and Youth.

“Initially, the goal was to have a Service Officer based in the community.  We now have four service officers. From Bridgton to Conway, N.H., there were no advocates for veterans. No one with the expertise to process benefit applications, disability claims, etc. The granting of VA benefits means prescriptions, eyeglasses, hearing aids, medical treatment and mental health. We wanted to provide veteran transportation to Togus, Portland and Lewiston,” Mulcahy pointed out.

They are on the right path, Mulcahy believes, but there is still lots of work ahead. 

The Post will be opening three days a week in the morning for coffee (7 to 10 a.m.), weekly lunches, group therapy through the VA Center, My Healthy VET online program, and transportation to medical VA appointments will be via scheduling through Togus. Details on all these programs will be announced as soon as the logistics can be finalized.

For more information, contact Service Officer Kelly Ela at serviceofficer67@gmail.comor Commander Donald Mulcahy at post67commander@gmail.com

Donations can be sent to:  American Legion Post 67, PO Box 811, Bridgton, ME 04009. Mulcahy says the Post currently needs approximately $45,000 to finish some of the mechanical issues and to complete renovations on the second floor. 

Post members meet the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

A special Saturday

As people arrived for the rededication (Depot Street was closed to vehicle traffic and officials spoke with attendees regarding Covid-19 precautions), a lot of thoughts ran through Commander Mulcahy’s mind. 

“I must say it went from emotional to honored! We are five years ahead of projected completion. To have been a part of this, to serve our veterans has been a privilege to see the hopes, the dreams, the plans become a reality … There simply are no words,” he said. Some sentiment came through in his speech.

First came Posting of Colors by veterans Liam Opie and Brian Conroy, followed by the Bridgton Band Quintet’s playing of the “National Anthem,” opening prayer by Post Chaplin Kelly Ela and POW/MIA chair ceremony.

Post 67 officers were introduced followed by words from Maine State Commander Matt Jabaut and National Commander “Bill” Oxford, who received a police escort from Lake Region High School to the Legion Building.

Then, it was Mulchay’s turn. As he looked out into the crowd at wife and partner in Post restoration, Liné, he noted he would try to stay on script, but it didn’t happen. Some tidbits:

• Upon visiting this Post 21 months ago and seeing the desperate condition the building was in and found that the Post no longer represented the American Legion. This Post had no services for the veterans from Bridgton to Conway and North Conway, N.H. There was no community interaction, no programs in the schools, no veterans outreach. The mission was clear, it had to be done. 

• My mission statement on Dec. 18, 2018 — It will be the mission of Post 67 to revitalize this Post completely based on the “Four Pillars of the American Legion.” We will not violate this pledge. It will be a dry Post, a safe Post, a sanctuary for veterans’ services, and veterans in crisis. The Post lives in the heart of the veterans and the community to which it serves. Our priority will always be the veteran and their needs… We were able to pull Post 67 up from the ashes like a phoenix rising. This team is inspiring, I don’t know that there is anything they cannot accomplish. 

• Will the following please stand? Ron Edson, Richard Cereone, Kelly Ela, Barry Bisco, Brian Manchester, Bob Downing, Brian Conroy, Liam Opie, Scott Burnham, Walker Elsaesser, Nathaniel Elsaesser. Look at the generations represented here today. These folks are a microcosm of the Greater Bridgton community, they are the American Legion, they are past, present and the future, they are all represented here.  This Post will honor and care for the older veterans, it will support the current active duty and their family, and it will teach the future generations Americanism, patriotism and respect. 

Commander Mulcahy turned the microphone over to Post Assistant Adjutant, Sgt. Brian Conroy, who is currently active duty and has served eight combat tours, a veteran who has shouldered the loss of 19 comrades under his command. Some comments made:

• The way I’ve witnessed this community come together and help build this Post from non-existence to one of the top posts in Maine is nothing short of a miracle. Let us make change by coming together as a community surrounding our veterans to ensure they have assistance such as health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment and mental health counseling. Help veterans find their purpose again, in return you will have the greatest community assets which is veterans helping rebuild their community beside you.

• The future of the American Legion especially Post 67 is our young veterans. Younger veterans have no knowledge of the American Legion and as a result they suffer in silence due to the absence of benefits. Worse many veterans commit suicide at an average of 22 per day which Covid-19 has worsened due to isolation and/or lack of services. 

• Seasoned Legion members face obstacles such as health concerns, the ability to drive, lift heavy objects, or work for extensive periods of time yet they understand the importance of a sense of belonging and comradery. Fresh Legion members may not know what the Legion stands for, what our mission is, or know as many community members yet they earn for a sense of belonging again. Together, seasoned & fresh members will build a bulletproof foundation for the American Legion. 

In Combat the outgoing unit being relieved must train the incoming unit on the lessons learned and the way forward. This is referred to as the “Right Seat Left Seat Ride.” I stand before you here today ready to lead and build the best Post in the country. My hands out begging for your continued support supporting Bill Oxfords intent as national commander of the American Legion which is “A Foundation for the Future.”

Post 67 now has a solid foundation in place thanks to Don Mulcahy and his dedicated veterans group and community member, and the local Legion is ready for the next chapters to be written.