April 2011
Commander's Comments -
Everything has been going well. Our Boys State boys have been picked. Sure wish they could all go.
The District E-Board meeting was well attended and thanks to Steve and Kimberly for making breakfast for them.
Sadly, another member, Robert Ingram, passed away and 22nd District Commander Jim Coatney has passed on.
The Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day parties were well attended and Kent Moser’s food prepared for each was THE BEST. Thanks to Box Canyon band for the great music on St. Patrick’s Day.
We are hosting a Poker Run on April 19th to benefit the Paralyzed Veterans Association of San Diego. I’m looking forward to having all those motorcycle riders at the Post. This is the same day as the Street Fair, so it will be a challenge.
I got a call from another Helo Squadron in Afghanistan for a party when they get back. I am so glad to let those Marines use our post for their get-togethers.
Our second round of nominations will be April 13th.
Bill Hicks, Commander
1ST Vice Commander's Report -
We are now getting toward the end of March, and if your dues are not paid by March 31, 2011 you will be removed from the ledger for the 2011 - 2012. But I am still taking your 2010-2011 dues at this time. I will keep you in good standing until the 31st of May 2011, so keep them coming.
Shirley, Membership Chairman
ATTN: GOLFERS
I am using the word loosely, but I need you a lot anyway.
This is the Post Golf Tourney, but it takes everyone to participate too make it a success. All proceeds go toward our programs for Veterans, Kids and Community. The golf tournament is scheduled for June 12, 2011 and the cut-off at 60 players. All the information should be posted by the April 7th. As you know we put on a good Tournament, we offer a sit down lunch, with drink at the Post. There are T-Prizes, Door Prizes Trophy’s Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive.
More info to come on the 7th of April at the Post, just be sure and mark your calendar now!!!!!!
Shirley Reeves, 1st Vice Commander
2nd Vice Commander's Report
There are 5 Saturdays in April, so there will be 3 main dinners on the 1st, 3rd, 5th Saturdays of the month. The other Saturdays will be smaller meals/appetizers. Merry Culhane served an outstanding all-you-can-eat spaghetti dish for the 1st off dinner week. Everyone loved it.
Special thanks to Steve Schofield, Kimberly St. John, Boston John, Bob Wilson, Commander Bill, and of course Mom Louise for helping with the Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s parties.
Kent Moser, 2nd Vice Commander
Chaplain's Report -
Charlie Wold is in the V.A. hospital, La Jolla; phone 1—858-535-5737. Give him a call and cheer him up.
Walt Wooden is a bit under the weather. Your prayers are appreciated.
Longtime Member Robert Ingram, USMC, Ret. passed away 2 March 2011. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends. Services will be held in Minnesota.
Thanks to Lowell Grimaud for taking over for the Chaplain duties during my time of sorrow and trials.
Perry Comeau, Chaplain
Adjutant's Report -
No Report.
John Noonan, Adjutant
SAL NEWS
SAL Commander's Report -
We, the Sons of The American Legion at Squadron 416 had an eventful month in March. Thanks to a group effort we have brought our membership renewals and transmittals almost completely up to date. We were far behind, and now we’re ahead of schedule.
The Sons were honored with an invitation to sponsor one young man for this year’s Boys State competition. We were also granted the privilege of participating in the actual candidate interviews on March 5th. This evolved into quite an eye opening experience as we became acquainted with our future in the forms of these dedicated and accomplished youths. Their modern ideas and exuberance is very encouraging.
The next Sons meeting is Friday, April 1st at 6p.m. prompt. We will continue our process of electing new candidates for officer positions.
The Sons will participate with the Legion at the upcoming Street Fair by serving hamburgers and hot dogs on the outside grill on Saturday & Sunday, April 9th & 10th.
The Sons are prepared to, and expect to present their new web-site to the Legion E-Board in April.
We will gratefully continue our efforts to Preserve and Promote.
Greg Phillips, Commander
AUXILIARY NEWS
President's Report -
Please send me your email address (amy@tristaff.com) if you would like to be notified about Auxiliary events and projects. We don’t want you to miss out on our exciting events, such as the Mardi Gras Fund Raiser and St. Patrick’s dinner we held in March. Jo Maus will notify you whenever we have special announcements like our blanket drive for the 2,000 homeless veterans in San Diego.
Thanks go to the Auxiliary members, who made the Mardi Gras Fund Raiser a success. We made about $580 for the coffee fund for the Encinitas Senior Center. Plus, we are getting coffee donations from retails stores. The St. Patrick’s Dinner was festive with decorations and fantastic food by Kent. Commander Bill got great bands to play for both events and they rocked the Post. Without saying, I would like to thank the Auxiliary members who helped and attended both events.
April will be nominations for officers for next year, so please come to the monthly meeting. We will have a special guest, retired Navy Captain Kent MacNeill, who will give us a glimpse about what life was like under water in a submarine that circled the globe. For those who can stay after the meeting, Betsy Schreiber needs your help to stuff envelopes for our annual Poppy Fund Drive. Revenue from this project helps us with our projects and gifts for veterans and active military throughout the year.
Bingo is still our biggest money maker, so please either play Bingo or help us in the kitchen or selling pull tabs. Thanks to the Auxiliary members who help out every week. Sondra Mote needs your help!
Amy Moser, President
1st Vice President's Report -
For those of you that still owe your 2011 dues, ($15) please get your check to me now as the Department of California starts to close their books and if you pay after the middle of March, you may not get on the new membership roster for this next year. We need to get our membership for this Unit closed up by June.
I am notifying you that at our last Auxiliary meeting, March 1st, the membership voted to increase our annual dues from $15 to $25. Junior dues will go from $5 to $10. The first reading to change our By-Laws will be at our April 5th meeting. The second and final reading will be May 3rd, and also upon acceptance of the amendment by Department. NEW members that join the Auxiliary from NOW UNTIL THE END OF JUNE will still be at $20 and as of July 1, 2010, renewals will be at $25.
After the summer Department Convention, dues notices will be sent to you and they should show $25 for seniors. It has been a long time since our dues have been increased and the extra money will help our Unit a little more towards our working programs. I believe most of the other Units in our District have had their dues at $35 for some time. Our Unit 416 voted on a smaller increase, but nonetheless, it needed to be done. Please call me if you have any questions about this increase. (858-481-9518) Thank you for understanding. Our next meeting is April 5th at 7PM - try and come.
Roxene McGrory, 1st Vice and Membership
2nd Vice President's Report -
April is going to be a great month, but first I'd like to give a big Thank You to so many people. First I'd like to thank everyone who helped with all of the fun festivities in March - The Mardi Gras and St Patrick's Day Parties. Such a great turnout! Costumes! Food and Entertainment. I just really enjoyed, as I'm sure all of you did as well.
Now April has some wonderful Saturday Dinners - On April 2nd - BBQ Sierra Nevada Chicken, then we have the Annual Street Fair which the SAL's put on an amazing BBQ - (I don't know about you but I love a good hamburger).
The 23rd of April we will be serving baked Catfish with homemade coleslaw -MMMM good!
Let us not forget Easter Sunday Brunch!!! We will have Easter Baskets for the kids and a wonderful breakfast for all!
Debra will be making several of her specialty appetizers on April 30th, how fun is that! Appetizers and cocktails!
Well, it's always wonderful to see everyone on these events, but let us not forget the Bartenders - Kristine, Chris, Rosie and Danny - they also make our experience at the Legion a special, special, special!
Kimberly St. John, 2nd Vice President
Public Relations Report -
You can still sign up for enews at WWW.legion-aux.org. The information to sign up is at the bottom of the Home page. You will find interesting information in this publication. For members, Post and SAL members, the Auxiliary is very active in supporting our Veterans, Veterans Children and Community. One project that we now have is collecting twin size blankets for the Veterans. See Presidents article last month or Poster at the Post. Our ongoing project is the Back Pack Program for children of deployed parents. Join us helping our Veterans. Also, if you will provide me with your e-mail address, I will include you when special e-mails are sent and advise Auxiliary members of meetings and special functions. E-mail me at jmaus@hungate.info.
Jo Maus, Public Relations
MISCELLANEOUS
2011 Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Fund Drive:
The 2011 Rehab Fund Drive is still under way. As in all fund raising campaigns, we need support from every Legionnaire. This fund drive makes possible the Department of California's Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation (VA&R) program, and helps our National Organizations\'s endeavors in supporting veterans. This is the primary principal upon which The American Legion was founded. EVERY DOLLAR DONATED TO THE REHAB FUND DRIVE IS APPLIED TO REHAB. IT DOES NOT GO IN THE DEPARTMENT GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND!
Harley T. Santos, Chairman
Ways and Means Commission
Harold F. Tattan, Chairman
VA & R Commission
Bingo -
Either we get more players or we discontinue the program for the winter. We cannot survive on 15 -17 players.
Perry Comeau
April 2011 Calendar of Events -
