American Legion Post 86 Wilton, CT

09/08/2026

On Sept. 7, 1797, the original frigate USS Constellation entered the fleet at Sterrett Shipyard in Baltimore, the second of the U.S. Navy’s original six frigates to launch.

Her speed and handling under sail earned her the nickname “Yankee Racehorse.”

Constellation went on to serve for more than five decades, earning distinction during the Quasi-War with France and the Barbary Wars. 

In 1854, the Navy built a new sloop-of-war named USS Constellation, incorporating a small amount of material salvaged from the original frigate.

The ship is currently preserved at Pier 1 in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

She is the last sail-only warship designed and built by the U.S. Navy.

 
 
 
 

09/04/2026

On Sept. 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, formally ending the American Revolutionary War and recognizing the independence of the United States.

The treaty established the United States as an independent nation, securing its sovereignty and formally ending British rule over the former colonies.

Huzzah!

09/02/2026

08/20/2026

On Aug. 19, 1812, USS Constitution secured a decisive victory over HMS Guerriere off the coast of Nova Scotia during the War of 1812.

During the fierce engagement, British cannon fire failed to pe*****te Constitution’s thick wooden hull, inspiring the legendary nickname “Old Ironsides.”

After an intense exchange of fire, Guerriere was left severely damaged and forced to surrender.

Too badly damaged to be taken as a prize, the British frigate was abandoned and later set ablaze.

Constitution’s triumph strengthened the resolve of a young nation and became one of the U.S. Navy’s most celebrated victories.

More than two centuries later, USS Constitution and her crew proudly carry forward the fighting spirit and enduring legacy of Old Ironsides.

Huzzah!


 
 
 


08/15/2026

08/15/2026

The Code Talkers

Today, we honor the legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers, whose courage, resilience, and native language forever changed the course of history.

During World War II, the Marine Corps turned to a method of communication that Japanese intelligence could never crack: the Navajo language.

In 1942, a group of Navajo Marines developed an unbreakable oral code that allowed for fast and secure communication during battles throughout the Pacific Theater of Operations.

Because of the code's strategic value, their heroic contributions remained secret until 1968.

Semper Fidelis.

✍️ (U.S. Marine Corps graphic by Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales)

08/14/2026

Korean War Heroism & Navy Corpsman

On Aug. 13, 1952, during intense enemy mortar bombardment in the Korean War, Hospitalman John E. Kilmer braved direct fire to move position-to-position, treating wounded U.S. Marine Corps Marines. Despite being wounded by shrapnel, Kilmer located a fallen Marine and shielded the man’s body with his own, sustaining mortally wounding fire to save his brother-in-arms.

HN Kilmer was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Tag a Navy Corpsman or veteran below to say thank you for their service and take a moment today to honor our Hospital Corpsmen who risk everything for their Sailors and Marines.

📸 - 80-G-708891 John E. Kilmer, Hospitalman, USN

08/07/2026

On Purple Heart Day, we honor the brave men and women wounded or killed in service to our nation. Their courage, resilience, and selfless sacrifice are woven into the fabric of our freedom.

Today—and every day—we remember, we honor, and we remain grateful.

08/06/2026

⚓ "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" ⚓

Probably one of the most famous quotes in U.S. Navy history is attributed to Rear Adm. David G. Farragut during the Battle of Mobile Bay as the Hartford passed around the Brooklyn. However, that historians have debated this phrase, as noise from the battle would have drowned out any conversation between ships, yet battle veterans insist it happened.

The earliest account comes from the New Orleans Times on Aug. 18, 1864, which states that after the Brooklyn stopped, Farragut said "Give her one bell, give her two bells, give her eight bells," referring to the way signals were delivered to the engine room from the quarterdeck. In Commodore Foxhall A. Parker's account 14 years later, Farragut is quoted as saying, "Damn the Torpedoes! Jouett, full speed! Four bells, Capt. Drayton". Just a year later, in 1879, Farragut's own son, Loyall, repeated this quote with the slight change to "Damn the torpedoes! Four bells! Capt. Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed!". Even famed naval historian Alfred Thayer Mahan, in his 1893 biography of Farragut, used Loyall Farragut's version.

No matter how it was said or happened, Farragut would lead his squadron into Mobile Bay and defeat the Confederate naval force in one of the Civil War's greatest battles.

📷 - NH 53679 USS Hartford

08/04/2026

Today, we celebrate the 236th Birthday of the United States Coast Guard and honor the generations of Coast Guardsmen who have safeguarded our nation's waters, protected our shores, and answered the call with courage, dedication, and selfless service.

Happy Birthday, U.S. Coast Guard, and thank you to all who have served.