April 15, 2018 Commander's Corner by John (Jack) R. Pashley Comrades, April 15 is here and gone so I hope everyone survived income tax filing. April brings the 9 th District still with some membership to be collected before the Round Up on June 10. There are 9 posts with 100% which makes me very happy. Some posts only need 1 or 2 to reach their goal. If everyone pulls together to reach out to those last few stragglers call them, send a reminder card they might pay. The 9 th district is saddened to have lost Peg Weaver this month. Her funeral was attended by many of her comrades and also Legion Auxiliary and 40/8 members. She will be missed by all. The May meeting, May 9, is a dinner and joint meeting with auxiliary to be held at the Newtown Post 440. It is less than a month away so please let me know who will be attending as soon as possible. The cost is $24.00 which includes the meal and beverages Start thinking about what committees that you would like to serve on. We need a lot of help. We still are in need of Deputy Commanders for the coming year due to the passing of Carl Wenhold and Craig Wilhelm becoming Eastern Vice Commander. I attended the Montgomery-Bucks Auxiliary dinner on Saturday, April 14, and had the pleasure of dining with Dept. Aux. President Mary Creiman. The dinner was excellent and it was good to see the auxiliary members. In conclusion, I am hoping to see you at the May dinner and meeting. In comradeship, Jack Pashley Jack Pashley, 9th District Commander ========================= 36 Saint Dunstans Rd. Hatboro, PA 19040-4526 Page 1
Comments from Peter Gregory Pain and Suffering with no meaning In my day job we call this the season of Lent, as we move to the Passion of Holy Week and all that signifies. The themes of Lent have always been pain and suffering. But that for a redemptive or healing purpose, that by the blood of one man, others are healed and redeemed. Faith is not suffering for suffering sake alone. There is a higher and sacred meaning. Veterans as group know pain and suffering very well. We know what it means to fight, bleed and die. When our nation sends us to war. We all know the pain of those whom we fought wars and battle with, but did not come home. We know the pain and suffering we may face, or many of our warriors as they deal with pain and suffering from internal wounds, internal pain, which no one sees, but is just as real as a lost arm or leg. We also know the pain and suffering of returning from a war or battle and our sacrifices go unappreciated or unrecognized by the people we fight to protect and would die to do so. Yes, we all know pain and suffering. I can think of no greater tragedy, no greater suffering than to suffer with no meaning or purpose, to experience pain with no end, or with no greater good about it. To suffer in silence, in isolation, to suffer and no one either cares or seeks to aid or relieve such. And that is why the American Legion, VFW, other veterans organizations exist. That is why we exist. We exist to give voice to the voiceless, to aid those with no other place to go, to ease the pain and suffering for the veteran, for the widow, for the orphan. We exist to give greater meaning and purpose to the pain and suffering we have all endured as veterans and those in the nation s service. When we do that, we are at our best as an organization and veterans. When we fail, or just do not care, we have forfeited the sacred trust the nation, veterans, and their loved ones vest in us, as we have no other purpose to exist as an organization. It is best to just fade away. May God grant all veterans, all Legion members, all of us the courage, honor, and voice to fight for our veterans. To ease their suffering and pain. If we do that, we continue in that line that goes back to 1919 and 1775. Peter Gregory CDR CHC USN (ret) 36 Saint Dunstans Rd. Hatboro, PA 19040-4526 Page 2
Voiture 927 DISTRICT MEETINGS May 9, 2018 18:00 Combined Dinner Meeting The cost is $24.00 which includes the meal and beverages. Morrell Smith Post 440 41 Linden Drive Newtown, PA 18940 We are looking for new members. Contact Bill Douglass or Alan Smith for information and/or an application. June 13, 2018 Caucus William Bolton Dixon Post 10 493 S. Bethlehem Pk. Ft. Washington, PA 19034 All Meetings Are Held At 20:00 Refreshment At 19:00 Unless Otherwise Noted COMMANDER'S CHALLENGE You are challenged to have a Legion Application in your wallet at all times. You will be "fined" $5 if you are found without one. The money will go to the John Kelly Fund. 36 Saint Dunstans Rd. Hatboro, PA 19040-4526 Page 3
CANDIDATE FOR EASTERN SECTION COMMANDER Letter of Intent for High Office President Pa American Legion Riders 2018-2019 Past District Commander Craig Wilhelm Several months ago, I announced that I will be a candidate for the office of Eastern Section Vice-Commander and on Sunday, January 14, I will officially announce at Eastern Section meeting that I am running for this office. I hope that I receive the support of all of the American Legion Posts in the 9th District at the annual convention this year. For your information: I have been a member of the American Legion for fifty one years. I have served as the Commander of Post 255 for seventeen years and also have served as the Senior Vice Commander of my post and have served as a District Deputy Commander and was Commander of the 9th District Commander for two years. I would appreciate any support that your post can give to me. I am addressing the entire Legion Rider Family when I ask you to accept this letter of intent from me to represent you as President of American Legion Riders for the year 2018-2019. Through the many years of service to the ALR I have held a lot of positions, working from Post President, State Secretary and State Vice President and although that alone does not qualify me for the Presidency, I would like the privilege of making a difference. I have heard of some dreams and ambitions from the body for the future of the ALR and I would love the opportunity to implement them. I respect and realize I would be the VOICE for all the riders and it would be my 100% goal to represent them to the best of my ability. Realizing that I still have a lot to learn, if elected I can assure you I with all my heart I will do my best! Thank you, Holly Hill, Vice President Pa American Legion Riders 19 Lookover Lane Yardley, Pa 19067 hollyhilllegionrider@gmail.com 215-431-8200 Cell 36 Saint Dunstans Rd. Hatboro, PA 19040-4526 Page 4
LEGION FAMILY 36 Saint Dunstans Rd. Hatboro, PA 19040-4526 Page 5
Pictures from National & Department Commander's Dinner 36 Saint Dunstans Rd. Hatboro, PA 19040-4526 Page 6
Angelo "Budd" Brindisi Margaret "Peg" Weaver Laid to Rest At Washington's Crossing National Cemetery Angelo Budd Brindisi, of Huntingdon Valley, passed away suddenly on, Friday, February 23. He was the son of the late Anna and Ralph Brindisi. Budd is preceded in death by his beloved wife Martha. He is survived by his loving daughters, Ann Kernan (Dr. John) and Janet Brindisi; grandchildren, John Kernan (Cara), Jim Kernan, Kimberley Sorgenti (Michael), and Lauren Detwiler (Branden); 5 great- grandchildren; and by his brother Donald Brindisi. Budd s family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, March 3rd, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 611 Knowles Ave. Southampton, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Steven Kiernan. Budd will be laid to rest with his beloved wife Martha at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Cheltenham, PA. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Angelo Brindisi may be made to the following disabled veterans fund, the Independence Fund- 9013 Perimeter Woods Drive Suite E., Charlotte, NC 28216. 36 Saint Dunstans Rd. Hatboro, PA 19040-4526 Page 7