1st Vice Commander s Message

Volume 9, Number 12 www. alpost142.com E-mail: legion@alpost142.com December, 2007 It seems like we celebrated the Christmas holidays not too long ago and here we are again. The Toys for Tots drive is going a lot slower than last year and we had hoped that we would do better. We still have time to fill the boxes. I would like to thank everyone that came out for the Community Blood Drive last month. We were able to donate 10 pints and hope to do better during our next blood drive in February. Please do not forget the Commanders Christmas Party, Sunday, December 16th from 6pm till. There will be Food, Fun and entertainment. Also there will be a Christmas Ham dinner for our members that will not be with family on Christmas day. Please bring a covered dish and join your Legion family in the dining room on Christmas day. The Fallen Hero s ceremony at Pompano Beach High School was very moving, especially when you looked across the courtyard and saw all those flags, over 4000 and each representing a lost comrade and then seeing the card with a picture of one of our Fallen Hero s that the flag represented. Thank you Pompano Beach High and the Jr. R.O.T.C for the honor you have bestowed upon them. For those that attended the Marine Corps birthday party at the Post, we are glad that you were able to be part of our celebration. This is the 3rd year that we have had this celebration and it continues to grow. The Veterans Day ceremonies went very well. There was a great turnout with not only our Post, the VFW and the Pompano Beach Elks but from the community in a whole. I would like to thank Dan Davis (Exalted Ruler, Pompano Beach Elks) and his bagpipe, Art Tenney with the playing of Taps and Jack Bond for God Bless America along with the other patriotic music. I would also like to thank everyone on our Veterans Day committee that not only worked to put this together, but made it work. Special thanks go out to Pompano Beach High School Jr. R.O.T.C, Pompano Beach Boy Scouts, the Fort Lauderdale Civil Air Patrol, and The Hands of Praise along with City Commissioner Kay McGinn for being part of this special celebration. This thank you messages would not be complete if I didn t thank our Honor Guard and our Auxiliary that made sure that everything went as planned. Along with the VFW, we had a great and proud Honor Guard and that shows that combat veteran or not, we all took the same oath and we continue to protect our flag and those that have given the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedom. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Military Veterans Motorcycle Club and the American Legion Riders for being there and supporting our veterans on this special day. Please welcome our new members and transfers: Michael Slivik, Forrest Niemi, James Mullen Jr., Charles Vanage, Leonard Baton, Raymond Johnson, John Holesha, Jerry Villani and John McDonough. Welcome aboard and welcome to our Legion Family. This Christmas Day, please keep our men and women in uniform in your prayers. Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday s and a Happy New Year, For God And Country, George Rafajko Commander Post 142 1st Vice Commander s Message I would just like to wish every Legionnaire, Auxiliary member, S.A.L., Guest member Canadian Legion Members, Snowbirds and Post 142 Employee s a very Happy and Safe Holiday Season for you and your entire family. Once again this month we have a very busy month at the post. We have the Children s Christmas Party the 9th, Commanders Christmas Party on the 16th, and Christmas Day dinner at the Post Dec. 25th. Please do not forget the children and the Toys-For-Tots toy drive at the post. If you only give to one holiday charity fund this Christmas, please remember this one. We need your help. Near the bar we have a food donation box. This box is to help fill some of our food baskets. I am NOT asking everyone to buy $20 worth of food to put in the box, but every can helps. Post #142 has a limited number of holiday food baskets to give out again this season. If you are a Legion member, SAL or Guest member of this post and could use one we need to hear from you. You can contact the Commander George Rafajko, myself Dave Richie, or the Service Officer Heather Cherniack. Auxiliary members will have their own contact information. Thank you. A few months ago I asked you all for DVD donations. I asked you month after month to please help. Well thank you and congratulations. Our Post had the largest collection and donation in the area. We donated over 140 DVD s and CD s to the AMVETS who in turn donated them to the solvers overseas. I really can not thank you enough... Please read the newspaper clipping located on one of the next pages. You know, we really have a very beautiful Post. The Booster Club with the landscaping is really coming along very beautifully. However it hurts me to see litter (cans, glasses, napkins, etc) day after day in the parking lot or grass area. Remember this is your second home. Please help if you can. If you see it, clean it up when needed. Thank you. Commanders Report... 1 1st Vice Commander s Message... 1 Chaplain s Report... 3 Booster Club List... 4 Calendar... 5 Upcoming Events... 6 Auxiliary Unit 142 Message... 7

Page 2 December 2007 Volume 9, Number 12 Starting January 2008 you can place a business card size ad for your business for only $50.00 per year or a one line for $10 per year. Remember these newsletters go out to over 1000 readers in our community. (The listing is no charge for one line for members in good standing) Once again it s that time of year. We had a great drive last year and we hope to have an even better turnout this year. The boxes are here and ready to fill. Please bring a new unwrapped toy and drop it in the box. This year we will become a central drop point for the program so when you come by the Post, you might see some Marines here from time to time. Let s make sure that the children of our Community are able to enjoy Christmas **** Attention **** Auxiliary Members Please be aware there is an error on the renewal forms that were recently mailed out. The correct amount due for your annual dues is $20. Thank you, Barbara Chapman-Thomas President, Unit 142 AUTOMOTIVE Wholesale Auto Radiator (954) 975-2885 Dan s Personal Auto Care (954) 229-2417 CLEANING SERVICES House Cleaning by Renee (954) 648-5543 EMPLOYMENT SERVICES Work Force One Veteran Employment (954) 677-5555x1516 HOME IMPROVEMENTS Painting or Pressure Cleaning Tom and Barbara Horchier (954) 785-7017 The Barefoot Draftsman, Michael Slivik (954) 782-9833 HOME LENDERS Nick Nicholas: American Reverse Mortgage Corp. (754) 204-0064 LAWN & LANDSCAPING Green Effects: Jeff Scott (954) 695-5073 LOCKSMITH All Things Lock & Safe (954) 907-1269 Professional Services of Florida (954) 942-0793 LOUNGES, ETC. Sharkey s Blvd. Lounge (954) 978-3062 SPRINKLERS Repair: Randy Thomas, Maintain Sprinklers (954) 270-5124 TRANSPORTATION Dan s Airport Service - Airports, Seaports (954) 429-8799 VACATION RENTALS Key Lime Cottages, Lauderdale-by-the-sea (954) 263-9449

Volume 9, Number 12 December 2007 Page 3 Chaplain s Report Here we are in the merriest month of the year and looking forward to another busy time of getting together with family and friends to celebrate this joyful season and be thankful for all the Blessings that has been bestowed upon us. November, as always, was one of our busiest months with all of our events that were planned and now we look forward to this Blessed month of December. Now that the Happy Holidays are here, we have the wonderful opportunity Peace and Goodwill through the land, never forgetting our Valiant Troops, here and abroad, who are giving their all to bring our Doctrines of Peace and Freedom to the World and our America the Beautiful. In the Spirit of the Season we earnestly Pray and ask God s Blessing upon them. We also Pray for their safe return from this conflict so that they will be reunited with their families and once more live in a Peaceful and saner World. My Holiday wishes for one and all, Merry, Happy and Blessed Holidays and may God bestow His richest Blessings upon us all. God Bless America!! For God and Country Chaplin Bob LeChot REGULAR MEMBERSHIP MEETING LEGION and AUXILIARY Thursday December 6, 2007 7:00 PM E-BOARD MEETING Thursday, December 20, 2007 7:00 PM SAL GEN. MEETING Sunday, November 23, 2007 10:00 AM Fleet Reserve Association Branch 256 Meeting Every 4 th FridayOf The Month Email larryteck@hotmail.com Friday Night Entertainment Please join us for a fine meal along with some great music. December 7 Bob Osborne December 14 Jack Bond December 21 Bud Moore December 28 Zibby POST EVERLASTING DONALD FULLERTON BRUCE HOY Welcome U.S. Military Vets MC Please call them by road name when introduced. Several new members of U.S. Military Vets MC installed as Legionnaires. Welcome them!

Page 4 December 2007 Volume 9, Number 12 Post 142 Booster Club 2007-2008 We had a very good response last year with our Booster Club. Join our 2007 2008 Booster Club today. Last year at this time we had twice as many members as we have now, so let s show our pride in our Post and chip in. Thanks again for all of the members, friends and guests that contributed this past year and let s make this year even better. Booster Club 2007 2008 Thomas & Corinne O Brien Steve Bowden Dave Richie Dottie Bell Kevin Doheny Jennifer Thomas George Rafajko Elaine Rafajko Don Declare Dana & Larry Brinn Rick Davitt Lenore Stribling S.A.L Squadron 142 Ken & Pam Lamberton Patrick Campbell Jim & Georgianne Perez Lester Shepherd Gerald Pollard Art & Sue Tenney Nick Zekos Pat Renneisen Paul Renneisen Les Dixon Marion Broadhead Margaret Woodruff Kevin & Karen Kennedy Todd Troutman Ron Chicoyne Jack Brill Ron Emery Lawrence Williams Military Vets Motorcycle Club Millard & Elaine Snyder Betty Williams Rosemary Southworth Betsy Appleton In Memory of Robert Appleton In Memory of Walter Kenneth Broadhead UPCOMING POST EVENTS December 9...Children s Christmas Party December 16...Commanders Christmas Party December 25...Christmas Day Dinner February 10...3rd Annual Carolina BBQ February 23...Community Blood Drive 12 5pm February 24...Mardi gras Party March 1...Auxiliary Fashion Show & Tea March 9...Annual Balloon Bash April 20...Annual Car Draw May 26...Memorial Day CD & DVD Donations for Our Forces Thank you to the following for the generous donations of DVD s and CD s this issue. DVD s CD s Traynor Electric, Pompano Beach... 65... 14 Rio Bingo and Game Room, Pompano Beach... 35... 12 American Legion #142, Pompano Beach... 136... 28 American Legion #222, Oakland Park... 48... 26 American Legion #157, Margate... 18...- VFW Post 8182, Pompano Beach... 12...- Moose Lodge #2267, Tamarac... 132...- U.S. Coast Guard Base, Miami... 25...- A Message From The Auxiliary, 2nd Vice President Once again it is time to celebrate Christmas with our Children s Christmas Party. Please use the signup sheet located in the lounge. This is for children ages 1 to 12 years of age and they must be present to receive their gift from Santa. Once again cookies and cup cakes are needed along with volunteers to help. I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful turnout at the Children s Halloween Party, all the baked goods along with the candy was very much appreciated by all the children and myself. I would also like to thank Wal-Mart and K-Mart of Pompano Beach for their donations. There is a very special person, Ruth Bader from Wal- Mart in Boynton Beach, who continues to support our veterans. She donated bags of toys for Toys for Tots and several boxes of new Tee Shirts which will go to our veterans. We are also collecting food for veterans for the holidays. There is a collection box in the lounge that we would like to see filled with canned goods. Thank you again to everyone for your continued support, without you many of our veterans programs would not be possible. Yours in Loyal Service, Elaine Rafajko 2 nd Vice President

Volume 9, Number 12 December 2007 Page 5 December 11:30-2pm SAL General Meeting - 10 AM Children s Halloween Party CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PARTY 11:30-2pm TACO NIGHT & 5:30-7:30 PM Retired NYFD Aux. Bingo 7 PM Chef s Special Pot Roast or Fried Shrimp 7.00 Legion & Aux. General Meeting 7pm Dinner 5:30-8:00 PM 11:30-2pm & 5:30-7:30 PM & 5:30-7:30 PM Chef s Special Legion & Aux. Shrimp Scampi TACO NIGHT Baked Chicken or General Meeting 7pm Dinner 10.00 Retired Military Aux. Bingo 7 PM Fried Shrimp 7.00 or Fish & Chips 9.00 Officers 9am Music by Jack Bond 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bingo - 7PM 8 Dinner 5:30-8:00 PM BBQ Rib Dinner Half Rack - 9.00 Full Rack - 13.00 or Fish & Chips 9.00 Music by Joey Roberto Dinner 5:30-8:00 PM New York Strip Dinner 12.00 or Fish & Chips 9.00 & 5:30-7:30 PM Bingo - 7PM 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 COMMANDERS CHRISTMAS PARTY Dinner 5:30-8:00 PM EARLY BIRD & 5:30-7:30 PM Chef s Special Prime Rib Dinner 12.00 11:30-2pm DINNER 6-8 PM Aux. Bingo 7 PM Fried Chicken or & 5:30-7:30 PM or Fish & Chips 9.00 Fried Shrimp 7.00 Music by 16 17 18 19 20 Bud Moore 21 Bingo - 7PM 22 11:30-2pm SAL General Meeting - 10 AM 11:30-2pm TACO NIGHT & 5:30-7:30 PM Christmas Day Dinner at the Post Chef s Special Lasagna or Fried Shrimp 7.00 & 5:30-7:30 PM Music by Bingo - 7PM 23 24 25 26 27 Zibby 28 29 30 31 & 5:30-7:30 PM Aux. Bingo 7 PM Chef s Special Baked Chicken 6.50 Dinner 5:30-8:00 PM Shrimp Scampi Dinner 10.00 or Fish & Chips 9.00 Music by Jack Bond & 5:30-7:30 PM Bingo - 7PM New Post Hours : Open at 9am - 7 Days a Week Close at 10:30 pm Monday-Thursday Dinner 5:30-8:00 PM Closed at 11:00 pm on Fridays& Saturdays Closed Shrimp at Scampi 8pm on Kitchen Sundays Menu & 5:30-7:30 PM Chef s Special Dinner 10.00 Come join us for the Baked weekly Chicken Draw every Sunday at 5 pm. Come or Fish in & and Chips increase 8.00 your & 5:30-7:30 chances. PM Aux. Bingo 7 PM 6.50 Football Music by Zibby 5:30-8 Menu PM Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm Bingo - 7PM 1

Page 6 December 2007 Volume 9, Number 12 FESTIVE HOLIDAY MEMORIES DECEMBER MENUS Wednesdays 5:30-8:00 December 5 BAKED CHICKEN OR FRIED SHRIMP 7.00 December 12 POT ROAST DINNER OR FRIED SHRIMP 7.00 December 19 FRIED CHICKEN DINNER OR FRIED SHRIMP 7.00 December 26 LASAGNA OR FRIED SHRIMP 7.00 January 2 MEATLOAF DINNER OR FRIED SHRIMP 7.00 Fridays 5:30-8:00 December 7 SHRIMP SCAMPI DINNER 10.00 December 14 BBQ RIB DINNER HALF RACK 9.00/FULL RACK 13.00 December 21 PRIME RIB DINNER 12.00 December 28 NEW YORK STRIP DINNER 12.00 January 4 ROAST PORK DINNER 10.00 Also Every Friday HOME STYLE FISH FRY 9.00 Bring a New Friend to Bingo on Tuesday... and receive a free card for each game played for the person that brings in a new friend. Please bring this notice with you. From your Adjutant As per Department of Florida, we had 594 members for 2007. We already have over 85% of that number in renewals, transfers and new members. That is fantastic. Department would like to see all Posts at 100% membership by end of December and so would we. Don t wait. Please keep your renewals coming. Congratulate George and the officers of the Post for doing a great job. In Service to God and Country Pat Renneisen Veterans Day 2007 at Post 142 Boyscout Flag Retirement Ceremony Celebrate Your Birthday Enjoy a FREE birthday dinner on the Friday of the week of your special day. Show your membership card and valid ID and your dinner is on us. Bring some friends and have a party here.

Volume 9, Number 12 December 2007 Page 7 Auxiliary President s Message Thank you one and all for your support in purchasing tickets for our annual Veteran s Day Raffle. Despite getting a late start all the tickets were sold which will help us to support our Veteran s projects. Coming up this month we have the Children s Christmas Party and we will need donations of baked goods such as cookies and cupcakes as well as candy. Please see that these donations are given to Elaine Rafajko as she is in charge of the Christmas Party. I m sure she can use some volunteers to help with this also. Speaking of Christmas we have the baskets to be given out and we ask for your donations of canned goods, etc. As we told you in the last bulletin there is an additional $2 due for dues if you only paid the $18. Thanks to those of you who have already responded to our plight. We really appreciate it. Give this to Bonnie Hatt, Membership Chairman. Please try to attend our meetings which are always the 1st Thursday of the month. We would welcome your input so be sure and introduce yourself if you haven t attended before. Bingo is held every Tuesday evening at 7 PM so come out and win some money. We notice a few of our Snow Birds have returned. Welcome back! It s always good to see the Snow Birds return each year. You are missed when you go back up to the cold country. Thank you one and all for the donations for the Thanksgiving Baskets. I am sure they will be appreciated. Hope to see you all at the Commander s Party on December 16th. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. A Message From The Auxiliary, 1 nd Vice President Thank you for Ringing those Bells for Membership! Ladies, with your help renewing your Membership, joining and transferring into Unit 142, we have made our 55%, 65%, and 85% Goals before the due dates. This is quite an accomplishment, since National didn t send out the Dues Notices until Mid-October. Pat yourselves on the back for renewing so promptly. Now, we would like to reach 100% by December 31st, so we can increase our Girls State Quota to four girls. That would be wonderful. We only need 34 more at this date and we re sure by the time this reaches you it will already have happened. We have a great group of Dingalings working for us. Currently, we are proud to say Unit 142 is in 1st Place in the 9th District for Membership. Good Job! We would like to welcome our newest Members: Valerie Chapman, Deborah Olsson, Vivian Schroeder and Louise Tupper also our transfers: Karla Lawler, Gail Peters and Cindy Pinera. We have also added a brand new Junior Ashley Elizabeth Ethridge. Sincere sympathy goes out to Member Paula Douglas on the loss of her Father and Step Mother and also to the family of Mary Ellen Hearn, Past President of The Department of Florida, Southern Area, 9th District and Unit 142. Her lively spirit will truly be missed. Please join us at our regular monthly meetings held on the 1st Thursday of every month at 7pm. Your participation and input are greatly appreciated. Let s keep those Bells Ringing strong this Holiday Season. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy Holidays! Yours in Loyal Service, Bonnie G. Hatt 1st VP & Membership Chairman

For those members who are not able to be with family this Christmas Day, bring a covered dish and join your Legion family here at the Post for a hearty ham dinner with all the trimmings. Please sign the sheet in the lounge if you plan on attending.