This is the time of year we all should be thankful for the things we have and the good things we can do for others. Let us remember those who are less fortunate and remember what it is we as individuals can do for them. Is there a child that needs our help? Will that child have no Christmas? Is there a Veteran that has no family and needs just a friend to talk to? Are there those in Nursing Homes that have all but given up hope? We at Post 318 are the kind of people that can make a difference for those individuals. I ask, as your Commander, to contact your individual organizations and ask what you can do to help.

There are many ways to help. You could go Caroling at the Nursing Home with us, visit an elderly home bound Veteran that needs your friendship, buy a toy for an under privileged child, or just find a way to make someone happy.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." - Theodore Roosevelt

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest

thanks to those who have rekindled this light."

- Albert Schweitzer

The Post has many activities planned for the upcoming month and it would be nice to see all members attend just a few of those. Each organization has worked many hours planning to help those I spoke of earlier.

This month I would like to make Jimmy McNally December's Member of the Month. Jimmy is a loyal Sons of the American Legion. His dedication to make Post 318 a better place through his volunteering and help is commendable. I thank you Jimmy for all you have done around the Post.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

                                 Commander Daryl Bowie

1st Vice Cmdr
              LET'S MAKE SOME HISTORY!!
    No Post in the Department of Florida history, with Post membership of 450 or more has ever reached their 100% membership goal by January 1. We have a good chance to do just that. With one month left, our goal of 773 members is within reach; we just need 72 more members to send in their dues. We have approximately 157 members who have not paid their 2007 dues. We need every member to talk to his American Legion friends and see if they have paid their 2007 dues, if so, tell them "good job," but if they haven't, encourage them to do so before December 31, 2006. Also remind them that the yearly due amount will increase to $30.00 effective January 1, 2007. Also, if every member can convince just 1 eligible non-member to join the Post, we can easily reach our goal. Paying transfer members also count towards our goal. TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE ALREADY PAID YOUR 2007 DUES, I THANK YOU.  TO THOSE WHO HAVEN'T, PLEASE SEND IN YOUR DUES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2006.

                              Frank Howard, 1st Vice-Commander

Chaplain's  Corner
   POST EVERLASTING
Alfred K.Grice 10-31-2006,   Anthony L.Civilett 11-03-2006
Our sincere sympathy is extended to the family and friends of our departed comrade who now enjoy eternal peace.

NEED PRAYERS FOR THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS: Bob Booth, Dale Hollopeter, Charles Kircher, Joe Lutton, Ray Scheuffele, & Bill Yeager

If you know any members in Distress PLEASE call:
JOHN F.H. HAGER, Chaplain Post 318, 879-7095
MATTIE KELLY, Aux. Chaplain Unit 318 879-7095
American Legion Post 318

Honor/color  guard
    Our practices will be the 1st & 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm. On Veterans Day we had a very busy day. Three crews went out in three different directions to help and take part in the Veteran's Day celebrations. Two of our members went to St. Lucie Veteran's Park to be part of that ceremony. Four of our members went to the Savanna Club to post the Colors as part of their Veteran's Day celebration. Five of our members went to the Abajene Russell Center in Ft. Pierce to both present a flag to a veteran's widow, and to also help celebrate Veteran's Day with the staff and patients. When we finally got back to the Post, we had a beautiful Veteran's Day Ceremony at the new stone garden with all of the Color Guard, Commander Bowie, President Lavallee, many Riders and also a large contingent of Post members. Mary Mc Laughlin gave the invocation.

                              Conrad Tutela, Sergeant-At-Arms

Auxiliary  President's  message
Greeting and Salutations: Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! There are so many great events coming up in the next two months and we really don't want you to miss out on all the fun. Continue reading the newsletter to keep track of them all. Before I get to some of the events, I want to thank Carol Leonard for cutting out all the Halloween faces that were hanging up in the Post and thanks to all who donated. All of which went to the homeless vets and will go to the veterans in the nursing homes for Christmas gifts.
    Please remember to bring your canned goods, food items and unwrapped gifts for the baskets for those in need. We must remember that we are working for the good and welfare of our Veterans and their families.
    The Halloween Costume Party was a great success. Bob Booth won with his Captain Hook costume and Andrea Pierson won for the ladies with her ghoul costume. A good time was had by all. Thank you to all who volunteered for the Mash Bash event for the Salvation Army Kitchens.
    Wednesday night Auxiliary pot roast dinners are still the favorite. We sold out in Oct. Dinner is served from 5:00 to 7:00. Our cooks and helpers: Joy Ferreira, Carol Lanigan, Laura and Fred Mastermaker, Shirley and AL Dergis all do a great job making it soooo good! We need more volunteers for the kitchen, please call Carol at 370-9029 or Sunny at 343-0840.
 

    We are also still collecting school supplies and new but small personal items such as: shampoo, combs, soap, facecloths, toothbrushes and paste for the "ditty bags" for the homeless. See Carol Lanigan or there are 2 bins in the canteen where you can drop them off. And a BIG THANKS to all who do that.

    The Post 2007 calendars are available at the Canteen. Ruth Loudon did a super job in putting it all together. The pictures are of the best quality and a great reminder of what we accomplished this past Year. Dottie Kearns has the Enjoyment books available at the Post Canteen, too. The 2 for 1 coupons for dinning, recreation, theatres, and services are first-rate and are $35. They make great Christmas gifts!

    The Auxiliary members decorated the Post for the Holidays. Later that evening, we had the trees lighting ceremony. Come on down and see how fabulous it looks. We also have ornaments that we can put your name on and hang from the ceiling like we did with the Halloween faces.

    The Auxiliary is having a Trip to the Keys raffle in December that everyone is excited about!  It's a 4 day, 3 night trip for 2 at the Matecumbe Resort in the Islamorada Key. It's on the ocean side at mile marker 76.5. The package we put together includes a basket filled with lots of goodies for your evenings and a gift certificate to the Islamorada Fish Company Restaurant. This place is Great!! As you wait for your dinners, you can sit and watch the sunset and palm trees swaying in the warm breeze. The reservations for the Resort have been scheduled for April 20th through the 23rd. The winning tickets will be drawn on January 1st. You need not be present to win, but why not join us anyway! Many, many thanks to Brian Pierson for all his help in arranging for the Condo.

    The Auxiliary is also sponsoring the New Year's Eve Party this year. There will be hats, noisemakers, champagne at midnight, covered dishes and munchies. The music will be provided by James and Charlotte for your dancing pleasure. This is a gift from the Auxiliary to the Post membership. There is NO cost to the members except for your canteen beverages.

    In January we will also be having a "THEN AND NOW' contest. Bring in a baby picture (up to 5 years old) and a recent picture of yourself. Put these in a plain white envelope and address to Sunny Lavallee. Give them to the bartender who will put them in the Auxiliary folder. I am the only one who will know who the pictures are of for the contest. Pictures will be returned.

    And a reminder that on January 20th, we will be having our pinning ceremonies at the regular Auxiliary meeting. We would like you all to be there to celebrate those who have dedicated all the years of service.

    REMEMBER, we need your attendance, your volunteerism and your great talents and qualities to accomplish all we want to do this year and the coming year.

    The next meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2006. Hope you all have a wonderful Holiday and remember "the reason for the season".
                          ALWAYS A PLEASURE
                               SUNNY LAVALLEE, PRESIDENT

Son's - American Legion
Happy Holidays 318

    I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving. This year we donated to fourteen needy families a full Thanksgiving meal. I want to thank Tommy Bowes, Robin and Meg for delivering the meals. GREAT JOB!!!

    We had a great turnout at our meeting again. I want to thank all that attended. We donated $300.00 to hone cards for our troops overseas so they can contact their love ones during the holiday season.

    We will be having a Christmas party for the special needs children and adults in our community on Saturday December 9th at 1:00 p.m. Santa will be there to give out gifts. We also will be having our annual Toys for Tots on Saturday, December 16th at 4:00 p.m. If you would like to make a donation or bring a toy to the Post it will be greatly appreciated.

    Our Wednesday night dinner went over well, we served 89 dinners. I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped. JOB WELL DONE!!

    Our next SAL meeting will be Monday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m. Please try to attend so we can plan our upcoming events for the new year.

    Please don't forget to RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIPS!!! You will need your 2007 membership card starting January 1st.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND
A HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.

                                Andy Saffioti, S.A.L. Commander

Legion riders
    The Salvation Army MASH BASH was a huge success. A lot of the credit can go to our Honor Guard. Those guys turned Grace Lutheran Church into a military museum. People are still talking about what they did. You guys are the greatest. Our Post really stepped up as a major sponsor. Thank you 318.

    The next time you see a homeless male on the street, ask him which war he was in. A recent survey by the National Coalition of the Homeless indicated that one in three adult homeless males was a veteran. We must do everything in our power to correct this. Working with the Salvation Army and other similar groups is one way to address this growing problem.

    So the next time you see a Legion Member, Auxiliary Member, Sons of the Legion or Legion Rider doing work to make a difference, pitch in. You will be giving yourself the greatest Christmas gift you could ever possibly receive. You will become one of those people that are truly making a difference in the world.

    Please don't forget the annual Christmas party sponsored by the Riders for all Post members. It will be on December 15th. I hope to see you all there.

                             Jim Burk, Commander Legion Rider

Hello Post 318
    Just so you know we are getting very good response from our soldiers coming home. You also have to realize that the "Support Our Troops" program is an ongoing operation. For every one that comes off the list, one or two go on. We need your support. Donations are accepted. They should be made out to American Legion, Support Our Troops Fund. Please Help!!!
    Another project that was started this summer is ongoing, please donate your used and old cell phones and for those of you with computers, your used ink cartridges. Boxes are at the Legion and they do go to help our troops.
    As I sign the cards to the troops:
                 For God and Country,
                       Mary McLaughlin