I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I hope all New Year resolutions you made come true and you stick to them. At Post 318 our resolution is continued growth, increased support for those who are in need, and continued fellowship among Veterans.

A lot of new members keep stating how glad they are that they joined our Post. They like what they see. Lets all make it a point to continue this very important image. With every new year comes increased goals and responsibilities. Legionnaires, I ask you all to step up and do what you can to make it better. It doesn't have to be a lot, just ask what you can do to help. We are all very proud of our 100% Membership. I want to personally thank our 1st Vice, Frank Howard for all his diligent work on making it happen by the fist of January. I ask all members who haven't renewed to please renew as soon as possible. It's so very important to keep your membership active with one of the best Posts in the state of Florida.

    I want to thank all groups for their kindness and participation in making many people happy during the Christmas Holiday. From the Christmas Party for the Handicapped kids, Toys-For-Tots, and the Christmas Caroling at the Nursing Home, God Bless you all for helping. A special thanks goes to Ron Christian, Andy & Brenda Saffioti, Tommy Bowes, Ruth Loudon, and Sunny Lavalle.

    We have had the pleasure of being visited by troops that we have supported while they were in Iraq. If you weren't around the Post when they were here, I want you to know how appreciative these young men and women were for all of our members who supported them thru the PX cards. When you talk to these fine individuals making the sacrifices all other Veterans made, it makes you proud.

    This month I would like to make Carol Lanigan our Member-Of-The-Month. Carol helps the Post in many ways. For her participating in the Auxiliary, Riders, and activities around the Post, Carol, I salute you.
                                  Commander Daryl Bowie

1st Vice Cmdr
    I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful holiday and hope the New Year brings you prosperity, much joy and good health.

    We have done it. Post 318 is the first Post within the Department of Florida, with a membership of 450 or more to reach 100% by the end of December. CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER.

    I would like to take this opportunity to thank "Babe" Garneau. Our accomplishment this year is a direct result of his tireless efforts in the preceding years. He pleaded, pushed and at times threatened you to get your dues in, and these efforts are now paying dividends as evidenced by our having reached 100% + 1. Although we have reached our goal, as established by the Department of Florida, we cannot stop here. For those of you who have not yet paid their 2007 dues ( about 113 ), the Post's by-laws allow a grace period until the end of January 2007 in which your 2006 card will still be accepted. Therefore, during the month of January, membership cards will be checked and effective February 1, 2007, entry into the Post will be denied unless a 2007 membership card can be produced. I ask each one of you who have paid their 2007 dues to be patient and understanding when you are asked for your membership card. Although we may know your face and name, the only way to check your current membership status is to see your card. Again, thanks for your understanding and may the New Year be as fruitful and joyous as 2006.

                               Frank Howard, 1st Vice-Commander

Chaplain's  Corner
POST EVERLASTING
Edward F. Pace 11/05/2006,  Charles J. Turner 11/14/06
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: Dale Hollopeter,  Charles Kircher, Ray Scheuffele & Bill Yeager

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  When you lose, learn all that you can from the experience.
 
If you know any member sick or 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 are on the 1st & 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm. November was another busy month for us. We participated in seven ceremonies, two practices, one planning session and one funeral. So far in December, it has been relatively quiet, but we are ready to go in a moments notice if any of our veterans or their families need us. We want to wish all of our members and their families a Happy New Year.

                              Conrad Tutela, Sergeant-At-Arms

 

    If this newsletter reaches you before Dec. 31st. Don't forget about the Auxiliary sponsored New Year's Eve Party. All you have to bring is a covered dish or snacks for everyone to share. There will be hats, noisemakers, champagne at midnight, covered dishes and munchies. The music will be provided by James & Charlotte for your dancing pleasure. This is a gift from the Aux. to the Post membership.  There is NO cost to members except for your canteen beverages.

    And on Jan. 1st we will be drawing for the 4 day - 3 night trip to the Keys. Tickets are still available at the Canteen. The vacation site is 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 Co. Restaurant. This place is Great!! As you wait for your dinners, you can sit and watch the sunset and the palm trees swaying in the warm breeze. The Reservations for the Resort has been scheduled for April 20 through the 23. You need not be present to win! Thanks again to Brian Pierson for all his help in arranging for the Condo.

    Really wish you all could have been at the Special Olympics Party sponsored by the Sons (SAL), December 9th. If you could have just seen their faces as Santa Claus arrived on Carol Lanigan's bike, lead by Jim Burk and the Riders with their reindeer antlers and blinking noses. Make you think what the holiday is all about. There was food, dancing, Karaoke, present from Santa and stockings for all 52 of the participants. Many thanks to those members who made sure the children had a good time, served the food, gave out the stockings, danced with the children. Ann Marie McNally, Ellie Blankenthorn, Grace Ricalton, Brenda Saffioti, Ruth Louden (who took all their pictures individually with Santa), Jen Farraro, Linda Geraghty, and Carol Lanigan. PS, I was there too.

    We are also still collecting school supplies and new but small personal items such as: shampoo, combs, soap, facecloths, toothbrushes & paste for "ditty bags" for the homeless. 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 still available at the Canteen. Get yours before we run out. Dottie Kearns still has Enjoyment books left. The 2 for 1 coupons for dining, recreation, theaters, and services are first-rate and are $35. They are good for the entire year. 
    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. Pictures will be returned.

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

    February 10th is our LUAU Party. Get your tickets early for this one. It's sure to be a complete sellout! The menu includes Roast Pork with all the trimmings. Music for your dancing pleasure and lots of fun games. Do you want to learn how to do the HULA? Join us for a great night wearing your tropical outfits.

    Don't forget, 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. Remember that we are working together for the good and welfare of our Veterans and their families. The next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2007 at 12:00 PM. Hope you all have a wonderful, safe and healthy New Year.
                         ALWAYS A PLEASURE
                             SUNNY LAVALLEE, PRESIDENT

Son's - American Legion
Hello Post 318

    Its 2007, I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year. We had a great time at the Special Olympics Christmas party. The children and adults who attended were so full of love. They were so happy when Santa gave them their gifts. It was truly a wonderful day. The Marines also picked up the Toys-For-Tots last month. I would like to thank all the members who helped make this a wonderful Christmas for the children in our community.  I would also like to thank everyone for their generous donations of money and/or toys.

    We had a good turnout at our meeting again. We donated $300.00 for phone cards for our troops to call their families. Our next meeting will be Monday, January 8th @ 7:00 pm. Don't forget to pay your membership dues.

                               WORK HARD HAVE FUN GIT-R-DONE
                                    Andy Saffioti, S.A.L. Commander

Legion riders
   The Legion Riders participated in so many fundraisers and benefits this past year. We also visited 7 other Legion Posts in various parts of the state. Its important to remember that while we are Legion Riders, we are there representing our wonderful Post. And speaking of our Post? I have never been associated with a more generous, giving group of people. Whether it's care packages for troops, phone cards, Toys-For-Tots, benefit poker run for area vets, Special Olympics, Salvation Army MASH BASH, or paying a down-and-out Vet's rent, no one locally comes close to matching us.

    So as we sail into 2007, let's make sure that we do even more to help others. After all, "NO ONE DOES IT BETTER!" HAPPY NEW YEAR from the LEGION RIDERS!

                              Jim Burk, Commander Legion Rider