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Summer 2005 Issue
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Commander's Message
Feature Article
Post 281 Committee Reports
Post 281 News and Announcements
Post Calendar
Coming Events
Auxiliary Unit 281 News
SAL Squadron 281 News
Commander's Message:
As your new Commander, I am looking forward to an exciting year at Post 281. I would like to thank Jim Barrett for his dedication and unwavering leadership for the past 2 years as Commander of Post 281. Jim, I know that you will continue to serve our Post. I would also like to congratulate our new Unit 281 President, Leslie O'Neill and our SAL Commander, Tim Stillman and wish them the best in the coming year. I know that with Leslie and Tim , we will have a strong Legion Family that we will all be proud of.
I would like to welcome this year's officers, a very dedicated group of Legionnaires that will work hard to continue to make Post 281 one of the best posts in the state:
Ken Bausinger Senior Vice-Commander Tom Wister Junior Vice- Commander Bill Holmes Financial Officer Charlie Donohue Adjutant Chip Roach Judge Advocate Jim Russ Sergeant-At-Arms Frank Carroll Historian Lou Heck Chaplain Jerry McAllister Service Officer Jim Barrett, Al O'Neil
Ed Kehoe, Mike Daly
Executive Committeemen Spring, as always, is one of the busiest and most-rewarding times for Post 281. We held our Annual Awards Night, again a huge success. Here, the community really sees what the American Legion is all about, supporting veterans and children. The scholarships and school programs, like the oratorical, essay and coloring contests encourage students to express themselves and achieve their dreams.
As always, Memorial Day ceremonies were held to honor our fallen comrades. We flagged their graves and honored their memory at the various memorials throughout the Township. I would like to thank the Honor Guard for their dedicated and outstanding performance at these ceremonies. As a group of Legionnaires from various services, your military-like prowess is unequaled. I would also like to thank our Legion Family for their support in making our Memorial Day ceremonies a huge success.
The Legion Convention, whose theme was "Honor Today's Military," was a convention that will be talked about for many years to come. The friendship that the Legion Family shares over those few days will last forever. Post 281 had the largest contingent in the parade, which is a testament to the dedication of our Legion Family. Our Post was led by the Honor Guard, followed by our "Honoring Today's Military" float, bedecked with a Blue Star Banner, with our Legion Family behind that. More than once, I heard someone say "Here comes Post 281!"
After the convention, we had our annual Flag Disposal ceremony, a very solemn and moving event. Thanks to our flag disposal box in front of the Post, the number of flags that we received for proper disposal tripled this year over last.
Although our busy time is over, Post 281 still has an eventful summer planned. We are setting up baseball games, fishing trips, and other fun events.
With your help, it is my goal this year to help Post 281 grow and make our Post not only a strong veteran's organization, but also a fun place for our Legion Family to visit.
For God and Country,
Fran McGovern
Commander Post 281
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Feature Article:
TED WILLIAMS
... First, a few facts and figures:Born: 30 Aug. 1918
Died: 5 July, 2002• Winner of MVP Award: 1946 & 1949
• Triple Crown Award: 1942& 1947
• Lifetime Home Runs: 521
• Lifetime Batting Average: .344• Was originally named Teddy Williams, after President Teddy Roosevelt, but later had it changed to "Theodore."
• Favorite fishing spot: the Miramichi River in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada.Ted Williams Quotes:
"There's only one way To become a hitter. Go up to the plate and get mad. Get mad at yourself and get mad at the pitcher."
"If there was ever a man born to be a hitter, it was me."
"I've found that you don't need to wear a necktie if you can hit."
"By the time you Know what to do, you're too old to do it."
"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer."
TED WILLIAMS
1918 - 2002
If, by any chance, however big or small, I ever got struck by lightning and met an early demise, I would never forgive myself if I never dedicated a newsletter to my own personal hero, Ted Williams. So I may as well do it now, and appropriately, it will be the Summer issue — the season of baseball, peanuts, crackerjack, hot doggies and all that other baseball-related stuff.The cool thing about our subject this issue is that he was one of the greatest baseball players ever, and a veteran to boot. Yep, he was one of us. As a veteran, I mean...
Theodore Samuel Williams was born 30 August, 1918 in San Diego, California. His father was American and his mother was of Mexican descent. With an aloof, alcoholic father and a mother dedicated to the Salvation Army, Ted more or less was on his own at a very young age. With his parents only there sometimes to raise him, Ted turned to sandlot baseball and later played baseball in high school at Herbert Hoover High. There his coaches guided him along and taught him the rudiments of the game, but at first, they never thought he'd go far because of his very thin physique. They wondered where he got his power- it was in his hands, wrists, hips, and of course, bat speed.
There was a rumor that Ted's eyesight and reflexes were so incredible, he could see the stitching on a baseball as it sped towards the plate. I don't think so- even Ted himself denied he had that ability. But he did have awesome eyesight. At Marine Corps pilot school, Ted still holds the record for marksmanship while firing a gun from a fighter plane.
In 1936-37, while still in high school, Williams played minor league ball for the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League. Boston Red Sox General Manager Eddie Collins scouted out Williams and signed him to the team in December, 1937. Williams played minor league ball in 1938 with the Minneapolis Millers, where he tore up the league with his hitting and monstrous home runs, winning the Triple Crown.
It was now 1939, the year of The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind , the start of World War II in Europe, the fall of Lou Gehrig and the rise of Ted Williams with my beloved Boston Red Sox, a team he was to stay with until his retirement in 1960. And appropriately, the Wizard of San Diego hit many deep homers that were truly gone with the wind...
On 21 April, 1939, Ted had his first major league at-bat. It was against the hated Yankees in Yankee Stadium and Red Ruffing was the pitcher. Ted struck out on three pitches, but the next time up, Ted lifted a 400-ft. drive to the wall in right-centerfield for a double.
Not surprisingly, 1939 was to be an awesome year for Ted Williams. He led the American League in batting with a .327 average, and RBIs with 145. He clobbered 31 home runs and he earned the respect of his peers and the Boston fans.
In 1940, Ted had another great year. He batted .344, led the league in runs scored with 134, but only hit 23 homers, which was substandard for him.
1941. 1941! This was Ted's year! The last hitter to hit over .400, Ted hit .406 that year, and led the league with 37 homers and 135 runs scored. Incredibly, he wasn't named MVP thiat year because this was also the year of Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak...
After the 1942 season in which Ted won the Triple Crown with a .356 BA, 36 HR and 137 RBIs, Ted, along with many other major leaguers, was eligible for the draft. He joined the US Navy instead.
In May, 1942, Ted enlisted in the Naval Reserves in Boston for naval aviation and was told he didn't have to report until the end of the baseball season. In November, he was called up and was sent first to Amherst College for preliminary ground school, which taught Ted the basics, such as navigation, aerodynamics, aeronautics and math. He was then sent to Chapel Hill, NC for pre-flight training, then to basic flight training at Bunker Hill Naval Air Station in Indiana.
Next was advanced flight training in Pensacola, FL. By this time he was transferred to the Marine Corps and made 2nd Lieutenant while in Pensacola. His last training stop was in Jacksonville, where he set the student gunnery record. Then by 1945, while in San Francisco, CA, waiting for a ship to take him to the Pacific Theater of Ops, the war ended. Ted saw no combat in WW II.
In 1946, Ted resumed his baseball career, then in 1947, he won his second Triple Crown. Ted was well on his way to a Hall of Fame career, then on 1 May, 1952, Ted was called up again for military service in the Korean War. Understandably, Ted was bitter, as most of his peers were not called up for a second tour of duty but he was- and he went to war.
At Willow Grove, PA, Ted took a refresher course in pilot training and this time he was flying jets, unlike the prop-job Corsairs he learned to fly in WW II. In Korea he flew the F-9F Panther jet and flew 39 combat missions. On 17 Feb., 1953, after having his landing gear, radio and hydraulics shot out from under him by North Korean ground fire, Ted crash- landed in friendly territory with his plane on fire. He barely escaped with his life.
Ted resumed his baseball career in 1953. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966, with awesome statistics, but his 4 ½ missing seasons could have meant even better numbers. But he served. He did his duty.
Tom Lowe
Newsletter Editor
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Committees and Reports:
POST MEMBERSHIP — Time to Re-up
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Membership renewal season is once again upon us. Please join us in maintaining our position as the best and strongest American Legion Post in South Jersey by responding quickly with your dues payment. Send in your dues while you have your renewal notice close at hand. We love Early Birds!In addition, we always welcome new members. If you know of an eligible veteran, please invite him or her down to the Post to get acquainted with our fine folks, our activities and the many projects we sponsor. We will be friendly!
Ken Bausinger
Senior Vice Commander
Welcome New Post 281 Members
Annamarie Carr Thomas Cunningham William Gindhard Anthony McMaster Mark Narduzzo Warren Nemewisch Vincent Saiia Anthony Sciarrillo John Setaro Eddie Watson Leonard Wolff Taps
Carmen DiClementi Raymond Miller David Stichler Harry Watson
Service Officer's Report
The Service Officer's duty is a multi-faceted one. He is responsible for bringing to the attention of all veterans and their dependents the rights and benefits available to them. Let it be known that your American Legion played a major role in making many of these benefits available.The Service Officer must know how to utilize the services available through the Legion, Country, and Community.
I was appointed to this position last year and was elected this year. I attended Service Officers School back in April. It was a 3-day event hosted by our Department Service Officer Vince Bevilacqua, in Sea Girt, New Jersey. Vince has held this office for a number of years and his experience is well-known throughout the Legion network on a national level.
Service Officer's School was a very interesting 3 days. There is so much information being tossed out at out at you, it would be impossible to comprehend all of it the first time. That is why most people I spoke with there attend year after year and each time, they add to their knowledge. The basic information does not change, but the information starts to come together as an individual gains experience. I walked away from that weekend with a big pile of booklets and general information.
One thing that was mentioned over and over in class was that if you are not sure of something, admit it up front and tell the person requesting the information that you will get back to them. No one is expected to know all the answers and giving the wrong information can have devastating effects. That is where Vince at Department level, and Norm Sooy and Ted Aureck on a County level come in. Norm is the Camden County Director of Veteran's Affairs and Ted is his assistant. Norm is also also a member of Post 281 and their office is on the White Horse Pike in Magnolia. Both of these guys are readily available to assist a veteran in need at any time. I have talked to them on numerous occasions and they are more than capable.
I also get help within our Post through the likes of Don Mitchell and Bill Crane. Both of these members care deeply for their fellow veterans. Don is very adept at helping veterans and needy Township residents that have fallen on hard times and Bill is in the process of lending assistance to our veterans in the long-term facility at the Lakeland complex. He is also assisting in the South Jersey "Stand Down" project.
If I can be of any assistance, please contact me at 939-1461. Leave a message and I will get back to you, or see Don, Bill, Norm or any other Post Officer.
Jerry McAllister
Service Officer
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Post 281 HONOR GUARD —Attenshun!!!
The Spring season is usually the busiest one for the Post 281 Honor Guard and this one was no exception. The first monthly meeting of the Spring was clouded by the resignation of Ed DiGiovanni aka Little Eddie. Ed was recognized and saluted for his many years of dedicated and reliable service.Aside from the usual duties associated with the Honor Guard, such as rifle maintenance, firing practice, drill and various ceremony practice, we spent a considerable amount of time at memorial services. First, we attended the services at Triton High School's Vietnam Memorial. Then it was off to a short parade at Glendora Elementary School, then to Franklin Square for another memorial service. Next, over the Memorial Day weekend, we provided colors and a firing squad at flagging ceremonies at 13 local cemeteries. The next day, the Honor Guard was off to 7 monuments in Gloucester Township to provide the same services to honor our fallen comrades.
At the annual Locustwood Cemetery Memorial Service, our Honor Guard posted and retrieved the Department colors and fired the salute. Shortly thereafter, we traveled to the Department Convention in Wildwood, where we marched in the parade and exhibited our float honoring our troops.
Flag Day brought on our annual Flag Disposal Service with worn American flags being properly disposed of with dignity and reverence.
In the midst of all this, Ed Kehoe was named Honor Guard Member of the Year. Another wild Spring for the Honor Guard that racked up 583 man-hours of service!
Ken Bausinger
Senior Vice Commander
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Adopt-a-Road
As I enter the State of New Jersey, especially at the southern end, the first thing that catches my attention is the amount of trash that is seen along the highways. There just doesn't seem to be that much trash in other states. Delaware, Maryland and Virginia all appear to be cleaner. There's a sign says "Welcome to the Garden State" but it should say "Welcome to the Garbage State!" Talk about garbage! Why are our roadways everybody's trash can? Just take a good look around as you are driving about our community. "It's a sign of the times," some folks say. I'm not so sure about that.Your American Legion Post took it upon itself to try to make an impact on this problem about 7 years ago. At that time, we started to participate in a Camden County program called "Adopt-A-Road." We were given a stretch of road to clean up 3 times a year. "Our road" stretches down Somerdale Rd. from Roberts Dr., taking a right-hand turn down Chew's Landing Rd., past the Post, ending at the Black Horse Pike. We recently added Lower Landing Rd. to the Black Horse Pike as another stretch to clean. Have you ever noticed the "Adopt-A-Road" signs in front of the Post and at the confluence of Somerdale Rd. and Roberts Dr.?
I don't know why, but our neighbors and drivers in this area are a bunch of slobs. On our first 2005 clean-up, we gathered 42 lawnbag-sized bags of trash, with assorted tires, signs, etc. As yet, no kitchen sink has been found, but I am sure it is just a matter of time. A few years back, there was even a discarded fire hydrant (but no male dogs to be found). Needless to say, we had to leave it there because of the weight.
Years ago, I would take my sons fishing on the weekends and we would always take along with our fishing gear a 5-gallon bucket, and before we left the local hot spot, we would clean the area. There were always beer and soda cans, bait containers and food wrappers. At first, my sons would protest about picking up other people's trash, but they came to understand how important it is to have a clean environment, and even though we were only making a small impact, it was still a step in the right direction. (But their rooms still remained a mess. Oh well). Till this day, they both thank me for instilling in them the importance of a clean environment and they are not litter bugs, believe me.
On our most recent road clean-up, I advertised 2 months in advance for help in this endeavor. I had 23 people sign up, but on clean-up day, only 12 showed and half of them were walking wounded, the same ones who show up for most of the Post projects. God bless them! Just ask for help and these guys are the first to volunteer. We got the job done. Thanks Dick, Fran, Bill, Roy, Turnpike Bill, Jack, Dave, Fred, Duane, Al & Gil, and his rusty, 'er I mean trusty truck. Our next clean-up is scheduled for July. We need some younger folks to give our silver-hairs a break!
Jerry McAllister
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Canteen Report
It's been a few newsletters since our last update from the Canteen Department. Good News! The beer is now very cold since our purchase of a new beer box and bottle cooler. Still more good news! We didn't raise prices! Yay!!Sandwiches are served on weekdays from 11 AM to 3 PM, so come in and have a reasonably-priced sandwich and a cold draft beer for .50¢. We still have a large selection of bottled beers and a large selection of mixed drinks. In an attempt to keep up with the times, all of our bar staff are up on the latest drinks, including the new martini drinks.
On Friday evenings, we will be serving crabs and shrimp starting at 5 PM. We have also just added a new line of bar snacks. So if you're in the area, stop in, have some fun and check out the upcoming events at the canteen.
The canteen opens 11 AM Monday through Saturday and 1 PM on Sunday.
Ron Spriggs, Glenn Pickell and Charlie Donohue
Bar Chairs
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House Approves Ban on Flag Burning
Once again, a constitutional amendment to outlaw burning Old Glory cleared the House of Representatives, and once again it will be an uphill battle in the U.S. Senate. As in the past, the vote in the House was never in doubt. The same measure was passed there 5 times in recent years and some think that with the Republican gain of 4 seats in the US Senate last November, it could result in the two-thirds majority that is required for passage. However, a recent AP survey found that 34 Senators oppose the Amendment, enough to defeat the measure.How do you feel about the proposed Amendment? Does it strengthen the Constitution, or does it run against free speech as guaranteed in the 1st Amendment?
There seems to be more public support for it these days since the events of 9/11. But since when did our elected representatives actually represent us? For the most part, they always seem to have their own agenda. Have you contacted your representatives and let them know your opinion? Do you know who they are?
Jerry McAllister
Service Officer
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Military Support Group of South Jersey
The Military Support Group of South Jersey was formed by a local Marine Mom, due to some unfortunate events that involved her son a few months ago. She found a need for such a group and took it upon herself to organize one. Monthly meetings are held at the Chews Methodist Church, just around the corner from Post 281.If you attended the Post 281 Awards Night this year, who would have met this woman. Her name is Karen Jennings and she was presented with a Blue Star Banner that evening. Karen is a ball of energy and a fitting leader for this group. Military family members get together and interact with one another on issues both personal and in general. They also put together packages to be sent to our troops overseas. They try to provide them with some of the "creature comforts" to help make their deployment a little more pleasant. As anyone that has been overseas in a military situation will vouch for, there is nothing like getting a package from home. Some of the items that they send are beef jerky, chap stick, crossword puzzles, small bottles of shampoo, etc. You get the idea. If you would like to donate any of these same items please bring them to the Post in a bag or container marked "Attention Jerry McAllister" and I will see that they get them. If you are doing any traveling this summer, save all the complimentary small bottles of shampoo and other things you get at a motel room and bring them on over. Also, DVDs are a great thing to send but please, no war flicks, as the soldiers need a welcome escape from reality.
Back in the old days at the Post, when dollars were tight and something needed to be done, individuals still dug into their pockets and came up with a few bucks to help out. In that same old-fashioned way, I am appealing to you. I ask that each and every one of you make a personal pledge to donate $1 a week, just $4 a month, to help this group in its endeavor. Karen is constantly buying different items when she sees them on sale. Also, postage costs are about $7 to $8 per box and besides that, Karen always needs extra boxes, about the size of a small TV or smaller. Does anyone have a contact for small, plain boxes?
Just stop by the Post or mail your donation to:
MSG of SJ
c/o American Legion Post 281
PO Box 94
Glendora, NJ 08029
Attn: Jerry McAllisterIf you prefer to send a check, please make it out to: Military Support Group of South Jersey. Karen can be e-mailed at: kjcardinal@aol.com
I have attended the group's last 2 meetings and also among those present was Camden County Director of Military Affairs Lt. Col. Al Bancroft. Col. Al seems to be everywhere and anywhere our military and veterans are. Whether its presenting medals to veterans or dedicating a memorial, Col. Al is there.
Also at the last 2 meetings I attended was Mr. Bruno Rescigna. Bruno is a social worker with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He works out of the Vet Center and works in the field of readjustment counseling. He is a very interesting individual who has great insight into just what some of these families are going through and is there when troops return and just need someone to talk to or need some help in dealing with any number of problems they may encounter in returning to the normal world.
Anyone is invited to attend these meetings and the times and dates are posted on our bulletin board in the lobby. Packages are so important to the well-being of our troops, so please help out anyway you can. It looks like we are going to have troops deployed for a long time in Southwest Asia and just knowing that their fellow Americans, neighbors, friends and families are thinking about them and want to help out in some way, will mean a lot to them. Give from the heart and I am sure you will sleep a little better knowing what you have done. Also, if you have the opportunity, please try to attend a meeting and observe first-hand the dedication these people, led by Karen Jennings, have for our brave troops overseas.
Jerry McAllister
Chairman VA&R
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Stand Down
Stand Down is an annual one-day event and it is being held Friday, September 23, 2005 at the Cherry Hill Armory. It serves homeless veterans and their families. Federal, state, public and private support agencies offer a broad array of free services and assistance such as:VA benefit counseling, welfare, social security, food stamps, counseling, legal services, addiction services, housing, medical, dental, employment, unemployment, haircuts and clothing provisions, along with a hot meal.
Volunteers are always needed in specialized fields as well as general help, which takes in clothing distribution, food services, and veterans escort, which is the field I fall under. Roy Rever and I have been volunteering for the last few years in that capacity, and we have both registered for this year's project. Bill Crane has been knocking on doors of some of the local retail stores, trying to gather items of clothing which can be distributed the day of Stand Down. If you would like to volunteer this year, please see me ASAP so that I can provide you with an application to register. The event starts at 8 AM and finishes between 3 and 4 PM. For more information, please contact me at the Post or at home at 939-1461. Deadline for applications is August 15.
If you know of a veteran who could benefit from Stand Down, please let him or her know.
Jerry McAllister
Service Officer
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Post 281 News and Announcements:Post 281 Hosts First Junior Oratorical Contest
On April 19, 2005, three 8th-graders assembled at Stetser-Lamartine Post 281 to compete in what is believed to be the first ever Junior Oratorical Contest to be held in the State of New Jersey. They were here because they were the winners of a preliminary round held at each of the 3 Gloucester Township middle schools. A total of 30 participated in the initial round.The idea for the contest was spawned during a conversation Past Department Commander Cliff Griffiths had with then Department Commander Ted Behr while at Legion College in 2004. Cliff was bemoaning the fact that participation in the high school contest was dwindling, when Commander Behr mentioned that it would be great if there was some type of feeder program in place, much like the Department of New Hampshire's Junior Oratorical Program. Cliff then brought the idea back to his Post, which is our own Post 281. With the support of Post 281, Cliff then sought out Babette Wise, who serves as the Supervisor of Language Arts and Social Studies for Gloucester Township Public Schools. Cliff explained to Babette that the purpose of the contest is to instill a better understanding of the U.S. Constitution, inculcate an enhanced awareness of Americanism, and to foster an interest in the art of oratory. Babette quickly embraced the idea and was instrumental in incorporating the program in the 8th-grade curriculum in the three middle schools for the 2004-05 school year.
The rules basically remained the same as the high school contest where the contestants were to have a prepared oration of 5 to 7 minutes in length on some aspect of the Constitution, and an assigned topic segment lasting 1 to 3 minutes. The assigned topics were the same as the high school contest. However, unlike the high school competition, the contestants were allowed the use of a podium where they were permitted to refer to their notes. PDC Behr served as one of the judges, as did various educators from the 3 high schools in the township, which included Babette Wise.Timekeepers and tabulators were provided by Post 281. The results of this inaugural contest are as follows:
1st Place Abigail Deuruarte Ann Mullen Middle School $500 Bond 2nd Place Krishna Prabakaran Charles W. Lewis Middle School $300 Bond 3rd Place Charles Hobbs Glen Landing Middle School $200 Bond All 30 contestants provided thoughtful and insightful presentations and we hope it will lead to increased participation on the middle school and high school level.
Ken Bausinger and Charlie Donohue
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Newsletter Deadline
All articles and reports for the Autumn edition of the newsletter are due on September 21. We issue the newsletter on a seasonal basis, and the best way to remember the deadlines is to keep in the mind the first day of the season. but you don’t have to wait until then, get them in early!
Tom Lowe
Editor
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Happy Birthday
If you know someone special turning 80 or older, the White House Greetings Office will send him/her a birthday card on behalf of the President. Just submit your request in writing 4-6 weeks before the special day. Include name, salutation (Mr., Mrs., etc), birth date, complete address of the recipient and phone number of the person requesting the card. Mail requests to:
White House Greetings Office
OEOB, Rm. 39
Washington, DC 20500
Or fax to (202) 395-1232
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Renew Your 2006 Dues Now!
Renew your dues for 2006! Send them is ASAP and remain a member of the best Post in South Jersey!
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Visit our Post Canteen...
...the food is great and the camaraderie is too. And the jukebox is awesome! It has a cool selection of “The Hollies,” “Eagles,” “Bob Dylan,” “The Beatles,” “The Rolling Stones,” “Fleetwood Mac” and others. Treat your ears to some great tunes and maybe drown out that obnoxious dude yakkin’ your ear off.
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U.S. Flags are For Sale at the Post
US Flags are for sale at the Post. Order some new flags for the front porch, after they have taken a beating all Winter. Fly a new flag, not an old one.
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Post 281 Calendar
All functions are at the Post unless otherwise noted. AUGUST 2005 Date Time Event August 2 7:30 PM Regular SAL Meeting August 3 7:30 PM Regular Post Meeting August 10 5:00 PM Regular Auxiliary Meeting August 17 7:30 PM Honor Guard Meeting August 19 6:00 PM Phillies vs. Pirates August 31 7:30 PM Executive Board Meeting
SEPTEMBER 2005Date Time Event Sept. 6 7:30 PM Regular SAL Meeting Sept. 7 7:30 PM Regular Post Meeting Sept. 14 6:00 PM Auxiliary Meeting and Girls State Dinner Sept. 15 6:00 PM Boyss State Dinner Sept. 20 7:30 PM Auxiliary Past Presidents Meeting Sept. 21 7:30 PM Honor Guard Meeting Sept. 22 All Newsletter Articles Due Sept. 23 5:00 AM Deep Sea Fishing Trip Sept. 24 5:00 PM Post 2812nd Annual Miniature Golf Outing Sept. 28 7:30 PM Executive Board Meeting
OCTOBER 2005Date Time Event Oct. 4 7:30 PM Regular SALMeeting Oct. 5 7:30 PM Regular Post Meeting Oct. 8 8:00 PM SAL Luau Oct. 10 7:30 PM Annual Red Cross Blood Drive Oct. 12 7:30 PM Regular Auxiliary Meeting Oct. 19 7:30 PM Honor Guard Meeting Oct. 21 6:30 PM Auxiliary Yard Sale Oct. 22 9:00 AM Auxiliary Yard Sale Oct. 26 7:30 PM Executive Board Meeting Oct. 30 2:00 PM SAL Children's Halloween Party
Coming Events :
Second Annual Miniature Golf Outing
Last year, we came up with an idea to have a miniature golf outing at a local course. It was such a huge success, we decided to have another one.Like last year, we will pick all the men's names out of a jar, and all the women's names out of another jar and drew partners to avoid having someone stuck with their own spouse or significant other.
We expect to have a lot of fun, juts like last year. We will have prizes, an open bar, and food, both before and after the "brutal" 18-hole course.
The cost is $20 per person, which includes everything. The date is September 24th at 5:00 PM. If interested, call the Post at 228-9869. Leave name, number of please call Post 281 at 229-9869. Leave name, number of people attending and phone number. Get that putter ready. Kissing your balls for good luck is optional but a good idea nevertheless…
Ron Spriggs and Charlie Donohue
Bar Chairs
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Need Something to Do?
You may not quite realize the many projects and functions Post 281 is involved in. The Annual Awards Night every year proves how dedicated and hard-working many Legionnaires at Post 281 truly are. Many Post 281 committees steer various programs that benefit the community, proof that the American Legion truly serves the community, state and nation, words taken from the Legion's preamble. We are not just an organization of words, but one of deeds.We need volunteers for these committees. Whether it is Adopt-A-Road, VA&R, the Golf Outing, Children and Youth, Essay Contests, Oratorical Contests or any other committee, we need some fresh blood.
It is true that in many organizations, there is usually a small group of individuals who perform most of the work. Well, let's make that small group a lot larger. Please get involved, if you have the time and energy. The feeling you get when something is done for the community is a good one. A feeling that your work made a difference, meant that someone cared. Begin to care more. Get involved!
Tom Lowe
Editor
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Auxiliary Unit 281 News:
The Auxiliary Unit 281 newsletter is available as a pdf download.
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S.A.L. Squadron Commander's Report:
Hello,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow SAL members for the help they gave us at our recent Wildwood Convention. The Convention was a huge success due in part to the tireless effort of many of our veterans, Auxiliary and SAL members.
I look forward to my second year as your Squadron Commander. The hours involved in being the Squadron Commander can be long, but tremendously rewarding. I look forward to working closely with our new Commander Fran McGovern as well as our new Unit President Leslie O'Neill. We recently met after the convention to discuss our upcoming schedule for the year, and I can tell you there are a number of great events being planned for this year at Post 281.
I would like to take this opportunity to send out a prayer and a "Thank you" to the family of our late Chaplain, Joseph “Bones” Trani. Joe was very involved in all the events that the Sons of the American Legion took part in. Joe was the "designated bartender" at our Annual Luau as well as our St. Patty's Day Party. And as all of you know, Joe always had an interesting story to tell! We will miss you Bones!
If you have any questions regarding membership in the Sons of the American Legion, please feel free to contact me at 609-820-7872, or stop by and see me at the Post. A reminder to our members that our new 2006 membership cards are already in, so please attempt to pay your dues early so that we may get your cards to you.
Your friend,
Tim Stillman
SAL Commander
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