On her tour across the state, American Legion National Commander Denise Rohan stopped in Plainfield last week for a unique visit.
Rohan was joined by several local, state and national legionnaires on a visit to the Richard L. Blakely American Legion Post 198 inside the Heritage Trail Correctional Facility.
“I’ve never been to a prison post before,” Rohan said. “I was curious how this would work out, but they really are a family and it’s amazing what these guys do in here to give back to the community.”
The four-year-old post is made up entirely of inmates at Heritage Trail, a minimum security, short term offender program with an emphasis on helping inmates re-enter society.
Post 198 Commander Ryan Frost welcomed visitors and spoke of the many ways post members are giving back to the community, including several monetary donations to local groups and purchasing toys for the visitor room at the facility.
“Despite the mistakes we’ve made in our past, we still strive to better ourselves and our community,” Frost said.
Sharing her message of ‘family first’ to the post members, Rohan thanked them for their dedication to their community and reminded them that they always have a family with the American Legion.
“They are taking care of one another and they know the American Legion is going to be there for them when they get out, and they will have another family,” she said. “It’s all about taking care of each other. Sometimes you make mistakes, but we care about our country and we care about one another.”
Hopeful that the connection to the post will help the inmates when they leave the facility, Rohan said she’s confident outside posts will welcome them.
Heritage Trail Superintendent Donald Emerson said that he felt honored to have the post inside the facility and that is has been fostering a community connection for the men involved.
“It’s the veterans in our country we should look out for, whether you’re on the outside or on the inside like these men,” Emerson said.
Members of Post 198 said they will continue to do their part to support the community while they are inside the Heritage Trail facility, and when they leave. Rohan commended them for their commitment.
“The fact that they are giving back to the community just strengthens the fact that when they swore an oath to take care of this nation, they continue to do that even though they have taken their uniforms off,” Rohan added. “Even though they may have made a mistake, they are still contributing back to the community.”
Rohan is the first female national commander in the history of the American Legion. For more information about Rohan, visit www.legion.org/commander/bio.
