“FOR GOD AND COUNTRY”
Veterans Serving America
Since 1919
Paul Stewart Irwin Post 136 Monthly Newsletter –Dec. 2008
http://www.al136.com/
American Legion Family:
Ho, Ho, and once again, Ho
Coming up this week:
Ladies Auxiliary will hold their Basket Auction from 5-8pm this Friday. This will be a silent auction so your dinner will not be disturbed in any way. These baskets are worth much more than the $25 minimum bid and all proceeds go to Veterans programs supported by our Auxiliary. Please come out for dinner and do some Christmas shopping.
SAL children’s Christmas party will be held Sunday, Dec 7 from 2-4 pm. There will be treats, games, etc. Bring the kids but keep in mind if they plan on drinking, it’s BYOB.
Pearl Harbor Day observances will be held at the VA starting at 10am. They will have music, displays, speakers, etc.
Post will be closed for dinner on Friday Dec 12 due to a private company Christmas party, taking place in the dining room. Bar area will be open all day.
Dinner is also canceled on Dec 26 so all employees can enjoy Christmas with their other families. The Legion Family will be there in spirit.
Note: A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. - George Bernard Shaw
Post 136 member, SSgt Dan Morgan is now on his 5th tour of Iraq. His e-mail is below and he would like to hear from his Legion Family. Take a moment and give a quick shout-out. Also, the soldiers in the 287th are doing their own laundry, and Dan has a request. At Wal-Mart they carry laundry singles. Packages of 3 for 97 cents. These guys can use some of these so anyone that wants to pick some up, we will collect and send over.
Radar655@yahoo.com
New Years Eve:
Just like last year, New Years Eve falls on Dec 31. Not sure if it’s a coincidence or not, but just in case we are going to celebrate. Starting at 7pm or there about, we will have food, (as long as everyone brings snacks to share), music, some party games (remember Halloween), and the big one at midnight. FIREWORKS!
A bigger show than last year is planned and this is as good a time you can have and still keep your clothes on. Let the rookies watch a ball come down in NY. We blow things up.
Riders VA Christmas party will be held Dec 14. While the Riders sponsor this, everyone is invited to join. We will be leaving the post about noon and head to the VA. You can follow or meet at the VA. Your Riders have purchased 3 GPS systems for the VA vans that transport patients, as well as gifts for each patient. A choral group from McConnell will provide Christmas music. The patients need us more now than at any time of the year. The whole post needs to try and join in on spending a few minutes with the Vets at the VA.
4th of July Fireworks stand: As mentioned last month, the Post voted to support a fireworks stand from June 26-July6. There will be updates every month. First step is to get a couple of representatives from each Legion Family group. I am looking for at least 2 each from the Legion, SAL, Auxiliary, and Riders, to join me with the planning. I already have volunteers for Legion and Auxiliary. If you are interested, we will put more on, but 2 each is the minimum. This committee will not be very time consuming, but we will meet for planning, scheduling, etc. This can be huge for the post and we need a lot of participation. Will be getting more into it after the holidays, but please get back to me as soon as you can if you are interested to be on the planning committee.
Patty Tafoya has been coming in on Sat. to take over the fish and chicken cooking while Dan is recovering. Since Lonnie has moved back to Pa., starting this week, she will also be cooking on Friday evening and Sunday breakfast. Patty has cooked at RD’s and other establishments.
If anyone has a contact for some fire brick, we are looking to re-build the flag retirement pit. The moisture and lack of firebrick caused the new pit to crack. We have the expertise to do it right and better, but need firebrick. We always look to the membership first to try for donations, so if anyone has extra or has a contact, let us know.
Year end thoughts:
The Post has continued to grow in every category over the past year. New membership roles are up. Every Legion meeting has us voting in at least half a dozen new members. The Auxiliary has really taken off in the past year, with new energy, ideas, and membership.
The bar area was remodeled with a smoke ventilation system installed, a second large screen TV set up, and new furniture purchased. The final phase of remodel behind the bar will begin after the holidays. The funds are already in place and we are ready to proceed.
Veterans Serving America
Since 1919
Paul Stewart Irwin Post 136 Monthly Newsletter –Dec. 2008
http://www.al136.com/
American Legion Family:
Ho, Ho, and once again, Ho
Coming up this week:
Ladies Auxiliary will hold their Basket Auction from 5-8pm this Friday. This will be a silent auction so your dinner will not be disturbed in any way. These baskets are worth much more than the $25 minimum bid and all proceeds go to Veterans programs supported by our Auxiliary. Please come out for dinner and do some Christmas shopping.
SAL children’s Christmas party will be held Sunday, Dec 7 from 2-4 pm. There will be treats, games, etc. Bring the kids but keep in mind if they plan on drinking, it’s BYOB.
Pearl Harbor Day observances will be held at the VA starting at 10am. They will have music, displays, speakers, etc.
Post will be closed for dinner on Friday Dec 12 due to a private company Christmas party, taking place in the dining room. Bar area will be open all day.
Dinner is also canceled on Dec 26 so all employees can enjoy Christmas with their other families. The Legion Family will be there in spirit.
Note: A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. - George Bernard Shaw
Post 136 member, SSgt Dan Morgan is now on his 5th tour of Iraq. His e-mail is below and he would like to hear from his Legion Family. Take a moment and give a quick shout-out. Also, the soldiers in the 287th are doing their own laundry, and Dan has a request. At Wal-Mart they carry laundry singles. Packages of 3 for 97 cents. These guys can use some of these so anyone that wants to pick some up, we will collect and send over.
Radar655@yahoo.com
New Years Eve:
Just like last year, New Years Eve falls on Dec 31. Not sure if it’s a coincidence or not, but just in case we are going to celebrate. Starting at 7pm or there about, we will have food, (as long as everyone brings snacks to share), music, some party games (remember Halloween), and the big one at midnight. FIREWORKS!
A bigger show than last year is planned and this is as good a time you can have and still keep your clothes on. Let the rookies watch a ball come down in NY. We blow things up.
Riders VA Christmas party will be held Dec 14. While the Riders sponsor this, everyone is invited to join. We will be leaving the post about noon and head to the VA. You can follow or meet at the VA. Your Riders have purchased 3 GPS systems for the VA vans that transport patients, as well as gifts for each patient. A choral group from McConnell will provide Christmas music. The patients need us more now than at any time of the year. The whole post needs to try and join in on spending a few minutes with the Vets at the VA.
4th of July Fireworks stand: As mentioned last month, the Post voted to support a fireworks stand from June 26-July6. There will be updates every month. First step is to get a couple of representatives from each Legion Family group. I am looking for at least 2 each from the Legion, SAL, Auxiliary, and Riders, to join me with the planning. I already have volunteers for Legion and Auxiliary. If you are interested, we will put more on, but 2 each is the minimum. This committee will not be very time consuming, but we will meet for planning, scheduling, etc. This can be huge for the post and we need a lot of participation. Will be getting more into it after the holidays, but please get back to me as soon as you can if you are interested to be on the planning committee.
Patty Tafoya has been coming in on Sat. to take over the fish and chicken cooking while Dan is recovering. Since Lonnie has moved back to Pa., starting this week, she will also be cooking on Friday evening and Sunday breakfast. Patty has cooked at RD’s and other establishments.
If anyone has a contact for some fire brick, we are looking to re-build the flag retirement pit. The moisture and lack of firebrick caused the new pit to crack. We have the expertise to do it right and better, but need firebrick. We always look to the membership first to try for donations, so if anyone has extra or has a contact, let us know.
Year end thoughts:
The Post has continued to grow in every category over the past year. New membership roles are up. Every Legion meeting has us voting in at least half a dozen new members. The Auxiliary has really taken off in the past year, with new energy, ideas, and membership.
The bar area was remodeled with a smoke ventilation system installed, a second large screen TV set up, and new furniture purchased. The final phase of remodel behind the bar will begin after the holidays. The funds are already in place and we are ready to proceed.
Our financial status is solid. We have been able to fund all projects and programs, while chipping away at the one debt we still have, which is the air and heating system. New fundraisers planned in 09, have the possibility to clear this debt and allow us to move on to bigger and better things. When we had an emergency with our convection oven failing, it was not the panic it used to be. We purchased a new one and were able to cover the cost.
This past year had our post out in front on some legislative issues. Members of 136 testified in Topeka for a number of bills including the Patriot Guard Highway bill, Gold Star Mothers license plate bill, and Illegal Immigration legislation. In Oct, Highway 53 was dedicated to the Patriot Guard and the Gold Star License plates were approved prior to that.
We had a post appreciation day that allowed us to relax and recognize those that have gone above and beyond. And the recognition goes on throughout the year with membership and into the community where we have given certificates to the town of Mulvane, the Mulvane News, etc. The Riders of this post were recognized via the Legion magazine with articles on the founding of the Patriot Guard and for their activity on the Legacy Scholarship Fund.
We have raised more money and supplies for the troops than any time in recent history. This post has been actively involved on a weekly basis with funerals, homecomings, sendoffs, VA and Villa Maria events, parades, talks to community groups, etc. And we have some fun along the way.
Multiple horseshoe tournaments, parties, events, have been extremely well attended and supported. One only has to go back one month to the Veterans Day ceremonies, and Thanksgiving dinner where there was almost standing room only. This truly is a family.
Finally, with the end of the year coming up, you can feel more confident than ever our mission of serving America and our military, is on track and healthy. You the membership have guaranteed it. Thank you.
Karen and I have been honored to be selected to serve this post, and wish everyone and your families a safe and meaningful Christmas. Let us not forget the one group of people that make it all possible: our Soldiers. God Bless them and the families left behind.
Rick
Commander
This past year had our post out in front on some legislative issues. Members of 136 testified in Topeka for a number of bills including the Patriot Guard Highway bill, Gold Star Mothers license plate bill, and Illegal Immigration legislation. In Oct, Highway 53 was dedicated to the Patriot Guard and the Gold Star License plates were approved prior to that.
We had a post appreciation day that allowed us to relax and recognize those that have gone above and beyond. And the recognition goes on throughout the year with membership and into the community where we have given certificates to the town of Mulvane, the Mulvane News, etc. The Riders of this post were recognized via the Legion magazine with articles on the founding of the Patriot Guard and for their activity on the Legacy Scholarship Fund.
We have raised more money and supplies for the troops than any time in recent history. This post has been actively involved on a weekly basis with funerals, homecomings, sendoffs, VA and Villa Maria events, parades, talks to community groups, etc. And we have some fun along the way.
Multiple horseshoe tournaments, parties, events, have been extremely well attended and supported. One only has to go back one month to the Veterans Day ceremonies, and Thanksgiving dinner where there was almost standing room only. This truly is a family.
Finally, with the end of the year coming up, you can feel more confident than ever our mission of serving America and our military, is on track and healthy. You the membership have guaranteed it. Thank you.
Karen and I have been honored to be selected to serve this post, and wish everyone and your families a safe and meaningful Christmas. Let us not forget the one group of people that make it all possible: our Soldiers. God Bless them and the families left behind.
Rick
Commander
