THE AMERICAN LEGION BOOKER T. OLIVER POST 347 NEWSLETTER MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDER VOL. #1, ISSUE 1 - APRIL 2010 Dear Comrades, I want to express my thanks to all of you for your continued support and your desire to help veterans. It has been a very dynamic year as we head into a new legion year. During this time challenging period, Post 347 is operating on an even keel; I am confident that our economy will improve and our Post will enjoy the benefits. We will continue to provide assistance and support to our veterans and our community to the best of our ability. What we don t know is exactly when the economy will turn the corner and begin to show improvement. In the meantime, I ask for your continued patience and persistence. With elections coming up next month for the District and Post, all of us should be looking within ourselves to insure that we are electing the right people who are willing to fulfill their responsibilities. In doing so, we need to be aware of and look for individuals who possess the characteristics of Personal Integrity, Dedication, Loyalty, Honesty, Reliability and Experience (or at least being willing to learn). How do we find these individuals? Look in the mirror! They may be looking back at you. It may be that person that attends all the meetings and functions, that individual who constantly offers to help. It may that member that sits quietly in the background just waiting to be asked. Post 347 is overflowing with leadership opportunities for all its members. We have a very promising year ahead of us.post 347 did not become the successful organization that it is without you, our valued member. If you wish to see our Post continue moving forward, volunteer. WE CAN T DO IT WITHOUT YOU! Thank you and I look forward to seeing you, at Booker T. Oliver Post 347. For God and Country Angela F. Hunter MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP Thank you Post 347 family for the great strides we ve made increasing our membership this year, but we are still 25 members short of meeting our 2010 goal. If you have not renewed your membership for this year, please come into the Post and do so now. We only need 25 renewals or new members by April 30, 2010. Our membership is currently at 96%. WE ARE SO CLOSE TO MEETING OUR GOAL please renew today!!! Again, thank you for the support that you have given Post 347 in the form of your continued membership. H. L. Adams, 1st Vice Commander
State Convention: The Department Convention will be held in Montgomery, Alabama June 17-20, 2010 (Thursday through Sunday). If you plan on attending, please contact the Post Business Office at (205) 781-5244. Hotel Information: Renaissance Hotel & Spa Room Rates: $93.00 + Tax 201 Tallaposa Street Montgomery, AL 36104 Telephone: (334) 481-5000 Transportation: We plan to have a bus to transport delegates/attendees to the convention. Round trip from Fairfield to Montgomery will be $60.00 per person. Contact the Post if you are interested no later than June 1, 2010. BOYS STATE This year s Boys State is scheduled for May 30 June 5, 2010 (Sunday through Saturday) at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Boys State developed from the concept that youth should be offered a better perspective of the practical operation of government; that the individual is an integral part and commensurately responsible for the character and success of his government. The American Legion has a proud tradition of gathering the most outstanding young men in the state of Alabama for this annual event. Careful selection of those who attend has maintained this high standard. Please note - only outstanding young men who will be attending their senior year in high school in the fall are eligible to attend. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: MAY 10, 2010. For more information check out The American Legion Department of Alabama website: http://americanlegionalabama.org UPCOMING POST 347 EVENTS DISTRICT 21 MEETING: Post 347 will be the host for the 21 st District meeting for the month of May. During this meeting, the District election will be held. We ask and encourage all of our legionnaires, auxiliary, ALR and SAL members to come out, attend this meeting and help us extend our hospitality to our fellow comrades within the District. Date/Time: May 2, 2010 @ 2 PM POST 347 MEMBER S MEETING: Our May Member s meeting will include the annual Post officer election. All current members in good standing (PUFL and 2010 renewals) will be allowed to participate in the election process. If you wish to participate and have not renewed your membership for 2010, the deadline to do so is May 15, 2010. Contact the Post Business Office as soon as possible to renew your membership for this legion year. Date/Time: May 16, 2010 Dinner 6PM Membership Meeting 7 PM *****PLEASE NOTE: All membership cards will be checked prior to beginning of election and the doors will be locked promptly at 7:30 PM
POST 347 WESTERN BALL: Okay partners, it s time to dust off your cowboy boots, shine your spurs and put on your ten gallon hat. We are having a good ole western themed party.and you don t want to miss out on this one! The last one was a lot of fun, so you don t want to miss this one. There will be a costume contest, good food, music and plenty of fun. The bar will be open to for those cowpokes who want to buy a drink or two. This party is for grown folks and we strongly encourage you to dress for the occasion. Be a cowboy, be an Indian or a saloon girl whoever you like, but come on out and join us. Cost for this event is $7.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door. Date/Time: May 30, 2010 @ 7 PM until. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning May 4, 2010. POST 347 SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS PROGRAM: This is our annual Memorial Day program where we honor all veterans, past and present, present awards to some unsung leaders in our community, as well as award some scholarships to a few college-bound high school seniors. You are invited to come out and be a part of a time-honored Post 347 event. Date/Time: May 31, 2010 @ 5:30 PM. ATTENTION ALL LEGIONNAIRES! A SPECIAL CALL MEETING TO AMEND THE POST CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS IS SCHEDULED MONDAY, MAY 10, 2010 @ 7 PM. YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED FOR THIS IMPORTANT MEETING. CONTACT THE POST BUSINESS OFFICE AT 205-781-5244 FOR ANY QUESTIONS. Recent Post 347 Events 2010 Oratorical Contest: Post 347 held its 2010 Oratorical Contest on Feb 17, 2010 at the Post. Continuing our mission to promote this Legion program, we sought out the best young orators in our community and after a tough, intelligential competition, the winner was Kenneth Sutton. He went on to represent Post 347 in the District Competition which was held at historic Miles College on February 20, 2010. Kenneth came in first place at District level, and second place at Division level. He was a fierce competitor and represented himself and our Post extremely well. Special thanks go to our judges and local politicians who assisted us with this endeavor and kudos to Comrades Leevell Dansby, William Hood, James Bryant, H. Leslie Adams, Anthony Jones, Raechelle McCoy, Phyllis Curry-Harris and Jule Ephraim and Auxilliary President Betty Underwood and Auxiliary members Ada Riggs, Gerri Robinson and Chelsea Jones members who came out and supported this program. Photographs provided by Comrade Anthony Jones and Comrade Patricia McBride
Legionnaire in the News: Past Commander Lester Reasor On April 2, 2010, The Birmingham News published an article that told the story about University of Alabama football player Marcell Dareus that also spotlighted the man became Marcell's legal guardian when he was a senior at Huffman High, our own PC Lester Reasor. This picture and writeup was a part of the news article. Lester "Sarge" Reasor looks through a scrapbook he and his wife, Juanita, keep to highlight Marcell Dareus' football career. Sarge became Marcell's legal guardian when he was a senior at Huffman High. (The Birmingham News / Joe Songer)TUSCALOOSA -- Bush Middle School Flag Dedication Ceremony: Post 347 s American Legion Riders along with our Post Commander Angela Hunter visited Bush Middle School and donated a new American flag on April 9, 2010. The ALR also conducted a flag ceremony for the school. American Legion Riders 4 th Anniversary Celebration: On April 24, 2010, Post 347 ALR celebrated its 4 th Anniversary as an organization. The group came out, broke bread and fellowshipped together, fellow veterans in support of a common bond and the love of motorcycles. Congratulations ALR 347! Thank you for all you do, for the good of the Legion. FYI.. Tuesday Open Mic Nite: The word has gotten around Birmingham and surrounding areas.post 347 s Open Mic Nite is the place to be on Tuesday nights. Aretta and the All- Star Band and Revue are here every Tuesday night to provide great musical entertainment. We invite you to bring your friends and come out to see the wonderful showcase of talent that come in and show out; if you want to sing with the band, share your spoken word or play a musical instrument, you are invited to do so. Don t take our word for it, come out and find out for yourself. Non-members $3.00 and we ask members for a $3.00 donation at the door. Post 347 is the place to be for great entertainment.
Friday Night Fish and Blues: Yes, we ve got both at the Post on Friday nights. Wind down after a long week at your Post with your friends and coworkers with a little down-home blues and some old school jams every Friday night from 7-10 PM. Order a drink from the bar to cool down and the kitchen will be open so you can get a fish sandwich for $2.00. We invite you to stop by, relax and chill out. Post 347 is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights..we invite everyone to come out every night we are open or pick one evening that works for you. We provide an enjoyable and safe environment to party, so what are you waiting for? Also, the party room is available to rent for that special occasion. Contact the Post Business Office at 205-781-5244. At Post 347, we party for a purpose! June Membership Meeting Date Change: Our membership meeting date for June has been changed to take place on June 13, 2010 due to the State Convention and Father s Day weekend. Please make a note of this change. We will have our Post Installation of Officers during this meeting. Your presence is encouraged. FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA Senior Vice Commander Hardwick Rico Hall Greetings Comrades! I would like to take a moment from my extremely busy schedule to thank all of you, comrades, auxiliary, ALR 347, and SAL members for your support to me over the years. I am about to assume the highest position in The American Legion for the State of Alabama, a job that I would not have been able to realize without the support of my post home Booker T. Oliver Post 347. Post 347 continues to grow, mature, and work toward the ultimate goal, supporting veterans, their families and the community. Our influence still matters on District and State level, as well as an outstanding reputation across the United States. Let us all never forget where we began, nor where we wish to go. I will not forget and will, in my new duties as the Department Commander for the State of Alabama, strive to support and defend the rights and benefits of all veterans. I am proud to be a member of Post 347 and vow to represent you to the very best of my ability. I invite all of you to join me and my family as we celebrate this upcoming event at the State Convention in Montgomery, AL. I will have a celebration extravaganza at The Renaissance Hotel and Spa on June 18, 2010 beginning at 7 PM until Midnight. The entertainment will be Oretha and the All-Star Band and Revue as well as our own DJ Juice. Let s all celebrate a great time together, as one family, Post 347. Thank you so very much!
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE NOMINATION FORM SUSPENSE DATE: MUST BE RECEIVED BY CHAIRMAN, NOMINATION COMMITTEE NLT 09 MAY 2010. Chairperson, Nomination Committee American Legion Post 347 P.O. Box 172 Fairfield, AL 35064 Dear Chairperson: I am currently a member in good standing of American Legion Post 347 and I desire to be considered for nomination for the below-indicated office in American Legion Post 347: ( ) Commander ( ) Adjutant ( ) 1 st Vice Commander ( ) 2 nd Vice Commander ( ) Sergeant of Arms ( ) Service Officer ( ) Finance Officer ( ) Historian ( ) Public Relations ( ) Chaplain ( ) Judge Advocate I understand that this is a very responsible, time consuming undertaking and that it will require my personal attention and attendance at meeting, often times at a personal inconvenience and personal expense. I desire to be nominated for this position because: If elected for this position, I feel that I can contribute to the goals and purposes of American Legion Post 347 by: Indicated below you will find the name of the American Legion Post 347 member who second my nomination for the above indicated office. FIRST NAME MI LAST NAME Sincerely, SIGNATURE: DATE: CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS TO INCLUDE ZIP CODE HOME PHONE: BUSINESS PHONE: CELL PHONE: E-MAIL ADDRESS:
LEGIONNAIRE OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM INSTRUCTIONS: NOMINATION FORM IS TO BE RETURNED OR MAILED BACK TO THE POST BUSINESS OFFICE BY MAY 9 TH, 2010 FOR CONSIDERATION FOR CURRENT YEAR. PLEASE INDICATE WHY THIS PERSON SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS POST 347 LEGIONNAIRE OF THE YEAR Current year activities are vital, past work is for reference only. Attach as many pages as necessary, pictures, news clippings, letters of reference are welcome. Name: Age: Address: Number of Years a Member: Positions Held In Post: Please state reason(s) why this person should be considered the Legionnaire of the Year for 2009 2010: Person Submitting Report: Signature: Date: