July 2010
Commander's Comments -
What an exciting group of men and women I have to work with this year.
People are volunteering for committees and projects for everything. Keep up the enthusiasm!
The roundtable was well attended and there are some great fundraisers in the works. The Flag Day/Army Birthday event was well attended. Thank you Terry Sisson for the great cake, and to everyone for the help and participation.
The 4th of July BBQ is coming up. All three organizations are participating in this hot dog and burger event at the Post. Come on down! Make a dish if you can and enjoy the day.
Bill Hicks, Commander
1ST Vice Commander's Report -
I want to remind everyone about Stand Down on Friday July 16, 2010. The American Legion feeds the homeless somewhere around 800 to 1000, and all the volunteers, Lunch and Dinner on that day.
But I still would like to remind all of our members that can get to the Post that I will be collecting clothes up until the 8th July at which time I will be taking them to stand down . I request that they be clean and folded nicely and put into bags or boxes.
They are also in need of underwear & socks, they must be new. We will have a box in the Post you can drop your new items in it. I will also be taking that down on the 8th. Please help as much as you can. They don’t only need men’s clothing, there are women and children out on the street, with not much more then what is on their backs.
Thanks again for your help, I know I’m always asking for something. But not everyone is as fortunate as we are.
Not much else to say, other than if all goes well I will have our new 2010-2011 cards
when I return from convention
Shirley Reeves, 1st Vice Commander
2nd Vice Commander's Report -
The “Can Do Post” got that way by cooperation between the SAL’s, Aux, the Oceanside Aux and the great bands that play for us. This year we are stressing improving the Post facility ( THANKS - Terry Sisson, Etc.) We plan to expand the quality of meals, get new cooks, and vary the menu. Look closely at the monthly schedule.
Suggestions sent to me at kentmoser@cox.net or phone in person are welcome.
THANKS to ALL the VOLUNTEERS !
Kent Moser, 2nd Vice Commander
Chaplain's Report -
Claudia Kennedy, wife of Past Commander Joe Kennedy, is in the hospital as of this writing. We wish her a complete recovery and pray for her continued good health.
Dolly Mettam, widow of deceased member Whitey Mettam, recently underwent surgery relative to a COPD condition. We wish and pray for her complete recovery.
I recently received a call from longtime friend and longtime member John Kentera. I was pleased to find that he was at home and in relatively good health. John brought up the fact that over the Memorial Day weekend, he noticed that there were none or very few American Flags displayed along Hi-way 101 (Encinitas Main Street) all the to Leucadia. He reminded me of the days when Post 416 would display American Flags in front of every business along Main Street with approval of the business owner. What a great community project this would be if the Post could re-instate this program!!
Flags could be displayed on the light posts already equipped for hanging “Artist’s Banners” once or twice a year. Providing the City approved (and how could they not?) the Post could sponsor and hang the flags on the already equipped light posts throughout the community.
It’s ironic that in the papers recently, you see pictures of hundreds of American Flags displayed in South Africa in conjunction with the World Soccer Cup…yet very few to none displayed on the Main Street of Encinitas and Leucadia for Memorial Day or other patriotic holidays (4th of July and Veteran’s Day on November 11 included).
THERE IS SOMETHING DRASTICALLY WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE!!
Perry Comeau, Chaplain
Adjutant's Report -
No Report.
John Noonan, Adjutant
SAL NEWS
SAL Commander's Report -
SALS are proud to say we have 3 new active new members. We want to thank all members who volunteer, donate & show up at meetings. Tate (chairman of SAL Summer night open mike on Fri. nights @ 7:00pm) to be voted on at SAL meeting July 2 @ 6:00pm. July is the time to renew your membership (please email or attend meetings for questions). Also I would like to remind all to please tell family, friends & neighbors about Mon. Night Bingo 6:30 pm. Jim Wilson completed & handed in our 1st. backpack. Well Done & Thank You. We are the Can Do Post.
Greg Phillips, Commander
AUXILIARY NEWS
President's Report -
The Auxiliary has been around since 1919 and one year younger than my mom in Hawaii! It’s grand that we still have women who are committed to helping Veterans and their families.
As a coincidence, my fellow officers for 2010-11 were installed with a Hawaiian theme. No kalua pig or coconuts, but a delicious dinner and fun evening of music and dancing. Cris Hicks led a chorus of dancers until 10 pm that night and our knees paid for it the next morning.
I want to thank Past President, Connielou, for her welcome to our new officers: Roxene McGrory, Kimberly St. John, Merry Culhane, Deborah Wren, Anne Cassidy, Betsy Schreiber, “Mom” Wetzel, Dolly Mettam, and Jo Maus. They plan to call everyone on our member roster to hear your ideas, so be ready with suggestions. Most important is that we are continuing to enroll new members, who want to get involved.
Our new 2nd Vice, Kimberly, will be
ready for July with the Auxiliary’s Saturday night dinners. She is recruiting
members who are great cooks at home and volunteering to create those dishes at
the Post. They will feature comfort food that only your mom used to cook! Also,
Commander Hicks has booked rock’n bands to extend our Saturday evenings, so you
can work off the calories after dinner! Let’s all be committed to making this a
fun place to just hang out with old friends and meet new ones.
Look for announcements about our July
4th plans.
Amy Moser, President
1st Vice President's Report -
The new year is beginning for membership. Please start sending me your dues now and please include the dues for your Juniors. Any Juniors that have reached the age of 18 are now "seniors" and their dues are also at $15, no longer $5. Renewal notices will still be sent by National and you should get them within the next month. Our new cards should arrive a few weeks from now (hopefully).
I would like to introduce our latest new member, Deanna McKenzie. She's going to jump right in when she can and help the Auxiliary. Welcome Deanna.
Please plan on coming to our next meeting on July 6th and meet the new incoming officers for the Auxiliary. The meeting starts at 7 pm and lasts usually an hour.
Any new members that have joined these past few months need to come to this meeting so they can be sworn in as an Auxiliary member. There is no meeting in August so we have a lot to do on July 6th. Support for the Auxiliary is very important and "good support" allows us to accomplish everything we are here to do in the way of our Auxiliary programs.
Any questions, please call me at 858-481-9518-H or 858-587-7515-W. Hope to see you July 6th. Let's start the new membership year with a good turnout for our incoming President - Amy Moser.
Roxene McGrory, 1st Vice and Membership
2nd Vice President's Report -
I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for giving me this opportunity to hold an office at the Encinitas American Legion Auxiliary. I realize that I have big shoes to fill and I know that I will do so with respect and integrity. I'm looking forward to the challenges and I appreciate all of the help and guidance that I have been given so far, and hope to receive in the future. I realize that I am very new to all of this, so I appreciate all of your input and value your experience.
I'm the "new blood" and I can't wait to add a new and fresh spin on things. Together we can make the Encinitas Auxiliary and American Legion ones to be further proud of.
Kimberly St. John, 2nd Vice President
Auxiliary Chaplain's Report -
No Report.
Anne Cassidy, Chaplain
MISCELLANEOUS
Bingo
We can always use more players. All funds derived from the bingo program go to supporting our Veterans and their families, and the Post and Auxiliary Boys and Girls State Programs. All help is Volunteer!!
Perry Comeau & Shirley Reeves
July 2010 Calendar
