Commander's
Message
By the time you read this message, VetsFest will be over.
I'm sure it was a great success and all who attended had a
good time. I will report the final totals at our Oct. '07
meeting. I must apologize to the many members who have been
wondering, "Where is the commander?" The answer is quite
simple. I have been working diligently to insure that
VetsFest was a success. Now that it's over, I look forward
to working with not only the other elements of the Post, but
the membership as well. My goal is quite simple. I know and
most of our members know, we have the finest Post in
Florida. Now we must prove that to others. This can only be
accomplished by our deeds and not just words. It, however,
can only be accomplished with the help of all of its
members. The key word is VOLUNTEERISM. During the two years
that I have been a member of this Post, I have noticed that
the same individuals volunteer their time and talents to
insure that any Post functions are handle in a professional
manner. I also find it hard to believe that a Post comprised
of over 1300 members can only count on about 75 individuals
to always carry the load. I challenge each member to look
inward and ask himself or herself, "What have I done for the
Post lately?" To paraphrase JFK "Ask not what your Post can
do for you, ask what you can do for your Post." I remember
an old Army Sergeant Major's favorite saying, "If you can't
help with the solution, then maybe you're part of the
problem" seems to apply here. If nothing else, I urge all
members to attend their respective units monthly meeting.
Your input does make a difference and your ideas and
comments can only help strengthen our Post. This month our
"Member of the Month" is MARGARET TROCKI OF THE AUXILIARY.
Margaret is always there for the Post. Just make a phone
call and she will be there. It doesn't matter what job needs
to be done; cleaning, cooking, waiting on tables, filing,
copy work, decorating or wherever she can help. Margaret is
there for us! This is a perfect example of VOLUNTEERISM.
Margaret has been with the Auxiliary for the past 8 years, 3
years as their Treasurer. Congratulations to Margaret are in
order!
Frank Howard, Commander
Chaplain's Corner
Post 318
POST EVERLASTING:
Leonard W. DeWitt, 08/31/07; Harold Livingston,
09/05/07; Joseph Paika, 09/06/07; Kenneth C.
Kinkaid, 09/12/07
Our sincere sympathy is extended to the families and friends of our
departed comrades who now enjoy eternal peace.
NEED PRAYERS FOR THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS:
Harold J. Bright, Dale Hollopeter, Randy Hunter, Anthony
Palzzolo, Norman Thomas, Conrad Tutela and Sheldon Weiss
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
So get rid of your old self which made you live as you used
to; Your hearts and minds can be made completely new.
If you know any member sick or in
distress
PLEASE call:
JOHN F.H. HAGER, Chaplain
PH# 879-7095
Auxiliary
Unit 318
Please call me if you hear of someone
sick or in the hospital so I can make my visit and send
cards. This is the only way I have of knowing who is
sick or otherwise.
MATTIE KELLY, Chaplain, PH# 879-7095
Honor/color
guard
With the coming of fall, the Honor / Color Guard is getting
busier. This calendar year is shaping up to be a banner year
for the Honor and Color Guard with several appearances in
front of National audiences. We started in the Spring with
presenting the colors for the New York Mets. This game was
attended by several area politicians as well as the New York
television. For our Memorial Day ceremony Congressman Tim
Mahoney was in attendance. Most recently we started off
September by assisting a color guard contingent from Patrick
AFB in presenting the colors for Patriot Day; a PGA fund
raiser at the PGA Village, This started a relationship with
the PGA that is sure to be long lasting. Mid month, we
return to the PGA Village to present the colors for the
opening ceremony for the National Special Olympic Games.
The Honor / Color Guard was fully involved with Vets' Fest
at Tradition Field on September 22nd. We were assisted in
presenting the colors by the Junior ROTC contingents from
Port St. Lucie High School and Port St. Lucie Centennial
High School. On behalf of the Vets' Fest committee and the
Legion thank you to both groups. You not only made your
school proud, you made us proud of you. The guard collected
$10.00 per vehicle as an admission fee. All proceeds went to
the "Heroes to Hometown" program which helps wounded
veterans with their adjustment to civilian life.
We are also please to announce we are in the planning stages
for the Salvation Army's MASH BASH. The Honor / Color Guard
will be staffing the museum as we did last year. If you have
any artifacts or memorabilia that you may want to display,
it would be greatly appreciated. Dick Boulette has
graciously agreed to take charge of your items and keep them
secure. Please see Dick at the Post.
If anyone knows of any organization that needs the services
of the Color or the Honor Guard please have them call me
directly. We are proud to provide this service for the
community.
Dana E. Lambert,
Sgt-At-Arms
TEXAS
HOLD EM' TOURNAMENT
Our next tournament will be played on Tuesday, October 16 at
7pm. Doors will open at 6:30. We play from 7
till 11pm, if it lasts that long. You must be a member of
the Post (Legion, Auxiliary, Sons) in order to play. Any
member may bring a guest, but the member must also play.
Come to the Post and make a night of it. The kitchen will be
open and you can get something to eat. Most of the players
order around 7:30 and eat during the 8 o'clock break.
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At American Legion Post 318
Good Friends, Good Cheer! |
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Auxiliary
President's message
Greetings and Salutations:
We all had a wonderful time at the Commander's Recognition
and Appreciation dinner on Aug. 19. Everything was great -
dinner, music and lots of camaraderie.
I will repeat one thing the new Commander stresses, and that
is a big Thank You for your support of the Post this past
year. We cannot do it without YOU!
The first Auxiliary meeting was on Sept. 22 and I was happy
to see all the members that attended once again. To those of
you who get this newsletter and don't attend the meetings, I
am asking you to please make an effort to come and enjoy. We
have a lot of good things planned for the year and we know
you will be happy you came back.
Wanda O'Neil and I attended the Orlando, Auxiliary Conference
in August. We got plenty of information about our programs
and how we can successfully implement them. We will need
Your help in doing so. Marion,
Margaret, and I went to the School of Instruction on Aug. 15,
and received lots of information regarding our programs and
the way that YOU can help implement the programs we want to
work on.
Margaret Trocki and I had the privilege of attending the
Patriots Day Ceremony at the PGA Country Club on Sept. 1st
along with members of the Legion, Honor Guard, SAL, and
Riders. The PGA of America, has started what they hope will
be a yearly program to solicit funds for scholarships for
sons and daughters of soldiers that will not be coming home
from Iraq or Afghanistan. They have set up a matching funds
and green fees donation for this admirable scholarship
program.
Please remember to see Marion Mason, membership chairperson
regarding your dues. Confirm and/or correct any information
such as addresses and phone numbers. Pay your dues before
Oct. 15 to get in on the early bird drawing. You will not
get a reminder from National, for whatever reason they have
decided not to send out notices until October.
One of the projects we are going to do this year is our very
own cookbook with recipes supplied by our members. We want
to get this started as soon as possible.
Bring in your own best recipes for the committee to look over
for inclusion into the cookbook. Give to bartender or a
member so they can get it to me.
Once again, we look forward to having a fantastic year with
all the events we have planned. But, we need your
attendance, your volunteerism and your great talents and
qualities to do it.
ALWAYS A PLEASURE
Sunny Lavalle, President
Son's -
American Legion
Hello Post 318,
September was another great month for the SAL. Our pig roast
was a hugh success. We sold 125 dinner tickets for our pig
roast. We raised over $1,400.00 from out ticket sales and
raffles. These proceeds will go to veterans, their families
and special needs children's Christmas party. I would like
to thank all the volunteers who help make this possible.
Congratulations to Jeanette Hanna, she was the winner of our
computer raffle. Bill Ord drew the winning ticket.
Congratulations to Ken Moldt, Post 318 "Member of the Year."
The SAL also presented Ken with a SAL jacket and made him a
lifetime member.
Our next meeting will be Monday, October 15th. Please attend!
The holidays will be approaching soon and we will be
planning our activities and functions.
The Wednesday night dinners have started again. Please come
in and enjoy a dinner prepared by our volunteers of the
Post. The next SAL dinner will be Wednesday, October 10th.
Please renew your memberships! It
is important that we reach a 100 percent as soon as
possible.
Andy Saffioti, S.A.L. Commander
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 07-26-2007
U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) today praised the passage
by unanimous consent of his bill (S.1877) clarifying U.S.
law to allow veterans and servicemen not in uniform to
salute the flag. Current law (US Code Title 4, Chapter 1)
states that veterans and servicemen not in uniform should
place their hand over their heart without clarifying whether
they can or should salute the flag.
"The salute is a form of honor and respect, representing
pride in one's military service," Senator Inhofe said.
"Veterans and service members continue representing the
military services even when not in uniform.
"Unfortunately, current U.S. law leaves confusion as to
whether veterans and service members out of uniform can or
should salute the flag. My legislation will clarify this
regulation, allowing veterans and servicemen alike to salute
the flag, whether they are in uniform or not.
"I look forward to seeing those who served saluting proudly
at baseball games, parades, and formal events. I believe
this is an appropriate way to honor and recognize the 25
million veterans in the United States who have served in the
military and remain as role models to other citizens. Those
who are currently serving or have served in the military
have earned this right, and their recognition will be an
inspiration to others.
On behalf of
Sharon Hornung's family and myself, I would like to express
our heartfelt thanks for the wonderful memorial service held
for her at the Post.
From the onset of her illness, the AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY of
POST 318 was there for her with support and encouragement in
her fight against a dreadful disease. The daily phone calls,
visits, cards, prayers and individual acts and sacrifices
will always be remembered.
Now that Sharon has moved on to Post Everlasting, my
AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY of POST 318 continues to provide
encouragement and support for me in my personal battle with
the grief of losing someone that I loved dearly.
Thank you so much
For God and Country
Bill "Moose" Horan - PC
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