November 2011
Commander's Comments -
Boy time flies. It seems like I just did this. We had another busy month with our community.
Thanks to the City of Encinitas for inviting us to their 25th birthday party. Merry Culhane, Shirley Reeves and I set up a booth at the Heritage Museum from 10-4 that day and got to meet and greet so many wonderful people.
Thank you Terry Sisson for donating the Navy birthday cake and for putting on a great program.
The mayor of Encinitas invited our Boys Staters to a City meeting and gave each one a proclamation. Soon it will be time to interview some new ones from our local schools.
Our neighbors from the Vista post came to visit us this month. It was nice to have 34 of them come in for their first stop and stay for an hour. Looked like they were ready to have a fun day.
Our charter is being draped too often lately. Mr. Bob Morgan has passed away. A friend of mine and a lot of others. He was a VFW member and a 37-year Legion member.
Look out, the Scorpios are coming. November 5th is the birthday of several of our members. It should be a fun Saturday. We are going to have a cake, so come share it with us. Tate and I have enjoyed the day for a while and now it turns out some more members have the same day.
We now have some really nice shirts on sale at the bar. They have Encinitas Post 416 on the pocket area and a large ’you are not forgotten’ POW/MIA graphic on the back. They are only $15 and I would like to sell out quickly so we can order some more for Christmas.
The Marine Corps birthday is coming up Nov.10th. There will be a celebration at 6:30. Come down and have some cake.
Nov. 11th is Veterans Day. We will have a ceremony beginning at 11:00 at Cottonwood Creek Park. Afterward there will be a potluck at the post.
November 17th is the roundtable meeting date. Meeting starts at 6:30.
The Fall Festival is coming to town on Nov.20th from 9am-4pm. There will be 400-500 vendor booths and a couple of band stages. We will Be selling hot dogs and hamburgers outside. Come down and enjoy the day.
If you don’t have anything going on Thanksgiving, November 24th, come down to the post and spend the day with us. I will be cooking some turkeys and, if you can, bring down your favorite dish. I always try to serve the meal around 2:00, but sometimes it takes a little longer to catch the turkey. I will have a sign-up sheet in the bar. So if you’re coming down let me know how many people and what dish (if you’re bringing one).
Another date to set aside is December 3rd. This is the annual Holiday Parade through town.
A lot of fun coming up!
DD FORM 214 -- SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT Please share this with anyone who had
active duty service between January 1957 and December 31, 2001 and planning for
retirement. In a nutshell it boils down to this: You qualify for a higher social
security payment because of your Military service, for active duty any time from
1957 through 2001 (the program was done away with 1 January 2002). Up to $1200
per year of earnings credit credited at time of application - which can make a
substantial difference in social security monthly payments upon your retirement.
You must bring your DD-214 to the Social Security Office and you must ask for
this benefit to receive it!
Social Security website:
http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm.
This is something to put in your files for when you apply for Social Security
down the road. It is NOT just for retirees, BUT anyone who has served on active
duty between January 1957 and December 31, 2001. FYI - this benefit is not
automatic, you must ask for it! We've all been on active duty between 1957 and
2001 or know someone who has. Passing on good information for all you military
folks when you apply for social security. I know this may be too early for some
of you to think about social security but, keep living and you will get there...
Regional Resource Coordinator
Maryland's Commitment to Veterans Project State of Maryland- Southern Region
Human Services Partnership Building La Plata, Maryland 20646
Captain Rory Suzuki, US Navy
Office of the Secretary of Defense
(P, SO/LIC & IC, CN & GT)
Pentagon 5E529
703 614 8805 DSN 224 8805
M:240 715 2121 M:651 730 0699
rory.suzuki@osd.mil
Bill Hicks, Commander
1ST Vice Commander's Report -
Early Bird Dinner is almost up on us, so if you have not sent in your 2012 renewal, you should do it soon. That is if you are looking for your FREE Dinner.
Plus it will be nice to see some of my almost for-gotten faces.
Not sure what we are having yet but I know it will be good, so come and see us.
Shirley Reeves, 1st Vice Commander
2nd Vice Commander's Report -
No Report.
Bob Wilson, 2nd Vice Commander
Chaplain's Report -
November is special to all of us, it’s about the War To End All Wars, WW I, we will be conducting our Veterans Day/Remembrance Day Service at our Wall in Cottonwood Creek Park at the 11th Hr. of the 11 Day of the 11 Month, to recognize the end of that Great War. Mark your calendars! Come early! Also, Thank a Vet, Freedom is not FREE!
We lost a great member of our Post, Life Member Robert Morgan, PUL 36 years. He loved our post, and was active in both the Legion and the VFW. You could say he was a Plank Member of our post for all the work he did to make it what it is today. He did a lot to upgrade our Canteen and helped with many of our programs. Keep him and his family in your prayers. Our Charter is draped for him and the District will recognize him during our Post Everlasting Ceremony.
If anyone knows of a member in distress contact me.
Lowell Grimaud, Chaplain
Adjutant's Report -
E-Board Meeting
5 October 2011
Meeting called to order @ 6:45 PM (delayed due to rain).
There was NO quorum present.
Discussed Boys State. Mayor will present proclamations to participants 12 Oct 11.
Pictures of the participants have been provided for a display @ City Hall. Commander recommends the Post cover 4/5 of the meal expenses for the banquet and the SAL’s cover 1/5. Total expenditures $465.00.
Property Taxes are now due for the Post. Invoice given to Finance Officer.
37 year member Bob Morgan passed away. Chaplain draped the charter in his honor.
Rick Kessler was a guest and presented his ideas for “representing Post 416” with his band at various Veterans affairs and/or Legion Halls. Item has been tabled until next General Meeting.
List of scheduled events:
8 Oct – AL Riders from 460 are on a Post Hop. Scheduled for 2:30.
13 Oct – US Navy Birthday. T Sisson to be M.C. & provide cake.
15 Oct – Post 365 will be here for Post Hop. Scheduled for 12:30 to 1:30.
22 Oct – Don Gilbert to cook Fish Dinner. Notify as many as possible.
23 Oct – Auxiliary Golf Tournament. Breakfast 10 – 11.
28 Oct - Possible private Halloween Party.
29 Oct – Post 416 Halloween Party. Pot Luck. Music by Tate Sanderson.
31 Oct – Halloween. No Bingo.
10 Nov – US Marine Corps. Birthday
11 Nov – Veteran’s Day Ceremony # Cottonwood Creek Memorial Park @ 11:00 AM sharp.
Meeting adjourned at 7:23
General Meeting
12 October 2011
Meeting called to order @ 6:40 PM.
A quorum was present.
Rick Kessler presented his suggestion for a contract between the Post and his band to allow him to use the name of Post 416 when they play at Legion events or veterans’ hospitals. Motion was made to NOT have a signed contract for this purpose. Motion carried.
Commander reported that:
The first installment of the property tax bill had been made.
There will be a birthday party for the 5 individuals in the Post that share a 5 November birth date.
A thank you card with a check for $100.00 was received from the Ball Family.
He will cook breakfast on 23 October from 10 to 11 AM.
An announcement has been posted on the web site concerning Social Security for Veterans.
1st Vice reported:
As VA&R Chair, she requires reports of Hours/Miles/Expenses incurred in dealings with veterans.
Chaplain reported:
He attended Service Officers training.
He participated in funeral services for 92 year old veteran.
Finance Officer reported:
B of A account (Building Fund) has been closed. New Account will be opened with Union Bank.
A check has been received for $10.45 from the Federal Treasurer.
A $45 check will be issued to Chuck Camarato to cover cost of hats for Boys State participants.
2nd Vice reported:
The Chicken dinner on 15 will be prepared by Bob Wilson, NOT Cap’n Keno’s as reported on the Calendar.
Motion was made & seconded to provide a check for $500 to John Noonan to assist in educational expenses of his daughter. Motion carried.
Motion was made & seconded to provide a check for $200 to the Jim Coatney Fund (District 22). Motion carried.
Motion was made to contribute to Wounded Warriors fund for towels. Motion tabled until next meeting.
Meeting adjourned @ 7:40
Submitted by Bill Steinauer, Sergeant @ Arms
SAL NEWS
SAL Commander's Report -
The SAL Squadron is really making some progress this Legion Year. Keep your eyes out for our new uniforms. The Squadron intends on becoming more visible within the Post as a team and asset to Post 416 operations. I am very impressed with the enthusiasm of the Squadron Officers and invite all members to come to a meeting and see how they are handling Squadron business. On that note, I wish to announce to all members, that the Squadron has changed their meeting night to every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm. We hope that this change will accommodate more members having the ability to attend. Also, I recently sent a letter to all members as your Commander, including 2011 membership cards not issued, outlining several key points of the Squadron. Particularly of interest to members will be the 2012 membership renewal deadlines. 2012 Dues are now payable and if you wish to remain a member of this Squadron I suggest you get your dues paid to the Adjutant.
Upcoming programs to look forward to from the Squadron will be the Toys for Tots program run by our Chaplain, Mr. Jim Wilson. Watch for his program announcements. The Squadron will be providing a free dinner night in exchange for a gift. Also, the Squadron will be conducting a raffle soon. A 20' flag pole installed at the winners discretion. Half of the proceeds will go to the Wounded Warriors Foundation. The icing on the cake for this is we will have wounded warriors assist us in installing this flag pole. Now, how can you go wrong not buying a ticket for that? We intend on drawing the winning ticket at the Post's Christmas party. This is something that could make a wonderful gift for Christmas.
Lastly, our Squadron has the dubious distinction of having the most "Five Star Medal" recipients within the 22nd District. UN-expectedly, we also have the youngest member in the State of California to receive this medal, six year old Brandon Campbell. Hats off to his father Courtney. Best rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance I ever heard. A great Thank you to our SAL State Jr. vice Commander John Mejia for visiting with us and conducting this fine program. I invite all to attend the November Post meeting where our Post Commander Mr. Bill Hicks will present the medals.
Chuck Camarato, Commander
AUXILIARY NEWS
President's Report -
October’s meeting was so exciting to hear from 3 of our Girl Staters talk about what they got out of their on-campus week, experiencing how city and state governments run. It was perhaps a life-changing experience for them to join 500+ other hand-picked girls from all over the State of California. Thank you to Betsy Schreiber and her committee (Laura Schweighart, Barbara Nommesen) who interviewed girls from our 5 local high schools and selected the best of the best. This is one of the Auxiliary’s favorite programs that we support, all due to the fund raisers we have throughout the year!
At our November meeting, we will be welcoming our District Auxiliary President, Gigi Manno, who will connect us to what is going on at the district and state levels. We are excited about her coming. Gigi has enough energy to move buildings, so come and hear her ideas!
Thank you to my husband, Kent, for cooking our Auxiliary pork roast dinner in October and thank you for all our members who came. Kent donated the food for the 31 diners who came, so I think we did well.
By the time you read this bulletin, we will have had the Auxiliary Golf Tournament on October 23rd. Thank you to the committee members (Shirley Reeves, Nancy Crowley, Tina Bruno, Kimberly St. John, Merry Culhane, and I) who planned the event, rounded up players, & solicited fabulous raffle prizes. Helping that day were (Cris Hicks and Encarnita Earl). We also received help from Bobby LeBeau and Sam Peltekian for selling the most raffle tickets. When you go to the Elks or Sam’s Place Restaurant, give them a “Louise” hug for helping us. All proceeds went to the VSAT program (Archie’s Acres & Mira Costa College) to help veterans with PTSD learn a new profession in hydroponic gardening. If we save one veteran, we will have saved the life of one “star fish”; if you know the story I’m referring to.
Also, I hope you didn’t miss the Halloween Bash. Tate played music, everyone came in costume, and pumpkins got decorated. Kimberly St. John and Julie Glinski were the main perpetrators for the scary decorations, so kudos to those goblins. A raffle was held to buy wireless speakers for the Post so we can push sound into the other rooms without blasting the ears of people in the bar area. Also, people were encouraged to bring towels for the Balboa Hospital Warrior Foundation. The Auxiliary already donated $225 for Roxene McGrory to buy additional towels.
Finally, thank you to Jo Maus for sending emails to our members about our events. If you’re not on the email list and not been getting her announcements, contact Jo directly (jmaus@hungate.info) so she’ll get the correct spelling of your address.
Amy Moser, President
1st Vice President's Report -
Let's keep those renewal dues coming -we still need close to 50 more of you to pay for this year. If you still have a 2010 card, you need to send me $15 for last year and $25 for this current year. Final deadline is 12/31/11 and if you are not paid, no privileges in the Club Room will be extended to you. The membership cards will be checked for "2012".
I would like to welcome some new members to our Unit: Deborah Maher ((you need to come to the next meeting on 11/1 at 7pm to be obligated/sworn in as a new member and receive your membership packet); Cheryl Curren (you also need to come to the next meeting on 11/1 at 7pm to be obligated/sworn in as a new member and receive your packet); Carmen Torres (you were obligated at our last meeting-thank you for coming and hope to see you 11/1). We also have a new transfer, Patty Sanborn. Patty is the Past President of our Oceanside Unit 146 and we welcome her transfer to our Unit.
I hope all of you will become involved and if you cook what better way to meet other members and guests of our Post/Auxiliary/S.A.L. family. Just volunteer to cook your favorite specialty. Many of us have done this and we know the "ropes" and can help you do this. Step up and show your stuff.
One last item to mention. In the newsletter last month, I mentioned "Mac's Towel Project" for Balboa Hospital/Wounded Warrior Foundation. There have been several LARGE DONORS that have stepped up, so we are now looking at getting 250 white bath towels in lieu of 2500 I originally mentioned. We can accomplish this with everyone's Christmas spirit-please drop off a packet of towels (Costco-6 pk). We need all the towels ribbon tied and delivered just before Thanksgiving as the halls and decks of Balboa will be ready for the Christmas decorating just afterwards. Please help to accomplish this for "Mac's Project" - Thank you and I hope your Thanksgiving holiday is one of the best. Call me if you have any questions on dues or Balboa Hospital project. (858-481-9518)
Roxene McGrory, 1st Vice and Membership
2nd Vice President's Report -
No Report.
Kimberly St. John, 2nd Vice President
Auxiliary Secretary -
No Report.
Nancy Crowley, Secretary
Auxiliary Chaplain's Report -
No Report.
Anne Cassidy, Chaplain
MISCELLANEOUS
Boys State 2011 -
It has been my pleasure to serve as your Boys State Chairman and conclude the 2011 program. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the Post Officers for their tremendous support. I also wish to thank our SAL Squadron for the grand banquet hosted by them for this prestigious event. Hats off to 2nd Vice Commander Scott Caesar and his crew. Also a great thank you to Bill and Kate Steinauer for the great photographs. Special mention goes to Lauree Adams, 1978 Girls State, Dept. Sgt. at Arms Ed Grimsley and National Executive Committeeman Ed Landis for their roles in the program presentation.
The five young men were honored graciously with tokens, certificates and medals from our State Assemblyman Mark Garrick and Congressman Brian Bilbray. Also, our Encinitas Mayor, Mr. James Bond was in attendance and added an extra bonus to the program by inviting our delegates to a live city council meeting on Oct. 12th, in which the Mayor offered a proclamation recognizing these fine young men. I capped his presentation by presenting the delegates with a final token of Post 416's appreciation, American Flags flown over our Nation’s Capital. The Guest of Honor speaker was Auggie Souza, a WWII Army veteran who landed at Normandy. Finally, I say Thank You to our Commander, Mr. Bill Hicks for allowing me to chair this distinguished program.
Charles "Chuck" Camarato, Boys State Chairman
Bingo -
I need your help in promoting the Post weekly Bingo Program!! It amazes me how everyone gets so enthusiastic in promoting yearly events (fund raisers) and no one seems to care about promoting the weekly Bingo Program which brings in $5000.00 to $6000.00 per year each to the Post and Auxiliary. 17 to 20 players a week just doesn’t make it…….
Unless player attendance picks up considerably, we will be forced to cancel Bingo and thereby elimihnate4 the aforementioned yearly income. Please help promoting the bingo program! Surely you must know someone in your family, neighbors, friends who play Bingo. Maybe even yourselves; TRY IT, YOU MIGHT LIKE IT! We CANNOT continue the program with 17 or 20 players each week.
Perry Comeau
November 2011 Calendar -
