American Legion Post 80 May 1, 2017 Issue 5 of 12 1019 Pennsylvania Ave., St. Cloud, FL 34769 407-892-8808 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org Commander s Newsletter Hi Everyone! Chaplain s Corner Greetings Fellow Veterans, We had an Easter Parade down to the Veterans Park where we had an Easter Egg Hunt Fun by all. I had a wonderful time playing the Easter Bunny and it was such a pleasure to be around all the children. We are sadden by the loss of our past Post Commander Phil Brigelt the service was held on April 23 rd at Fisk Funeral Home. Please join un on May 6 th for the Constitutional Conference. It will begin at 9:30 AM. As you know, all nominations are now closed. Come and place your vote for the on May 11 th From 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. For God and Country, Gary Nelson Commander, Post 80 The beautiful month of May is upon us and we have the opportunity of celebrating some significant special days ahead. There will be Mother s Day, Armed Forces Day, as well as Memorial Day. These days will have special meaning for many. There may be times to remember, to recall, to reflect on the past and rejoice in the present. Let us always remember that every day we are given is a gift from God. This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it (Ps 118:24) Because we do not know how many more days God is going to give us, I believe it behooves each of us to carefully consider how we use the days we are given. The bible has much to say about how we spend our time, But I think there are 2 verses that sum it up. 1 Cor 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God and Cor 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him These scriptures are very clear and easy to understand, let s just do it. God Bless you. SDG For God and Country, Dave Nigh Chaplain, Post 80 407-922-2409 National Military Month May is a month which recognize and show appreciation to the Armed Forces of the United States of America Sunday, May 14th
Page 2 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org American Legion Post 80 American Legion Riders Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Greetings Legion Riders, Thank you to all the Riders that escorted our brother, Phil Bergelt and his family to his final resting place at Bushnell National Cemetery on April 24, 2017. Phil and Ann have been great supporters and friends to our Chapter since the beginning and he will be missed. Several Chapter 80 Riders participated in the Escort of the Traveling Vietnam Wall from Cocoa to Melbourne. After the escort, we enjoyed lunch and a group ride back. Our regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 2 starting at 7:00 pm in the Civic Hall. We will conduct our elections during this meeting. All positions necessary to maintain our Charter have candidates, and there is no opposition for any position. If you are a Legionnaire, please remember that voting for Post Officers will be held on Thursday, May 11 from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm. You must present your 2017 Legion membership card to cast your ballots. Our May Group Training Ride will be conducted on Monday, May 29 th as we present at the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Mt. Peace Cemetery. Please meet at the Post, in dress uniform, at 9:00 am with KSU at 9:15 am. If you have black braid, you may wear it, if you wish. Dress uniform is black or dark pants, white shirt, vest, boots and your ALR beret or Legion garrison cap. We will return to the post at the conclusion of the ceremony. Greetings, Everyone! Thanks to all who participated in March s Sons of the American Legion Show Me The Money (SMTM). May s SMTM will be held on May 20 th. The feature of May s SMTM is a 50 Digital TV. The TV is being raffled to support Squadron 80. Tickets are $1.00 each or 10 for $5.00 and can be purchased from any Sons of the American Legion member or Bartender. The Digital TV is on display in the Canteen. SMTM participants are encouraged to bring Personal Hygiene Items. These Personal Hygiene Items will be shipped overseas to our Troops. The items will net each person 1 Free Card with a paid card. We appreciate everyone s participation. Elections will be held on May 8 th. Nominations area now closed. We are asking blessings for SAL s new slate of officers. We hope all SAL Members will participate in SAL events. We are hoping that all our SAL members come out and support Squadron 80. In Support of our Veterans, Mike Wilson Commander I look forward to seeing you all at our meeting and on Memorial Day! In support of the American Legion Family, Ride safe and proud! Chris (Ace) Falkowski Director, ALR Chapter 80 In Memory Of February 2017-2018 James & Anna Hair in memory of Boots Westmoreland February 2017-2018 Joan Spears in memory of Jim Wallace Memorials are $10 per year. There is room for yours here.
Page 3 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org American Legion Post 80 Unit 80 Auxiliary Hi Ladies We had a wonderful turnout for the Easter Egg Hunt everyone had a good time, lots of fun, and experienced many very happy faces! I would like to thank our Easter Bunny, Gary Nelson, Dennis Kirsch, Janice Gulick, Daryl Bass, Charlotte Bass, Becky Mills, Greg Bastin, Linda Smith, Paula Fox, Paul, Bobby Devine, Julie Hightower, Chris Falkowski, Ed Falkowski, Kelly Deathridge and Gail Brunelle and everyone that came to help make the Easter Egg Hunt a great success. May Reminders: We have the Constitutional Conference being held at our post on May 6 th registration at 9:00 AM meeting starts at 9:30 AM. May 6 th Auxiliary Roadkill at 7:00 PM with a ham dinner. I hope everyone got their Program reports in on time. Thank you for the all the work and energy you dedicated to these programs through the last year. Our success is due to your commitment Your President, Betty Nelson Unit 80 Auxiliary Chaplain s Report We Need Your Help Finding Active Duty Troops! One of our main Programs is sending Troop Boxes full of supplies and reminders of home to our troops serving overseas. If you know someone serving overseas, please share their name and address with us and we will send them Troop Boxes! Your Name and Phone Number Name and Address of Military Member Date this address will be good through (if known):
Page 4 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org American Legion Post 80 Navigating The Way For Our Veterans and Their Families Thank you all that have already renewed your 2017 membership. We are now at 93% renewing 267 members as of 04/28, per the District Membership report. We only need 20 more renewals to reach 100%. Recruiting new members also is included in our membership report from National. Also, if you are not receiving my emails, please e-mail me at cmbass43@hotmail.com so that I can add you to my email list. Thank you for all that you do. In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security. Charlotte Bass Unit 80 Membership Chairman Sunday May 29, 2017 Silver Star Service Banner Day May 1, 2017 This day is set aside to honor our wounded, ill and dying military personnel by participating in flying a Silver Star Banner May 12, 2017
Page 5 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org American Legion Post 80 Memorial Day is fast upon us and we will be distributing Poppies at the Memorial Day Service at Mt. Peace Cemetery on May 29 th. Service starts at 11:00am National Poppy Day Friday, May 26 The American Legion Family will launch National Poppy Day on Friday, May 26, as a way to honor U.S. servicemembers, from the battlefields of France in WWI, a century ago, to today s global war on terrorism. After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe and quickly became a symbol of the sacrifices made by Americans and allied servicemembers around the world. Soldiers returning from WWI brought home the flowers in memory of the barren landscape transformed by the sudden growth of wild red poppies among the newly dug graves unforgettably described in a memorial poem by Canadian Lt. Col. John McCrae: If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields. National Poppy Day broadens a tradition that dates back to the American Legion Auxiliary s first National Convention in the early 1920s when the red poppy was adopted as The American Legion Family s memorial flower. Today, it remains an iconic symbol of honor for the sacrifice of our veterans. ALA members distribute millions of poppies annually across the country in exchange for donations that go directly to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in our communities. Boeing Co. is a sponsor of National Poppy Day. American Legion Auxiliary National President Mary E. Davis and American Legion National Commander Charles E. Schmidt encourage all Americans to wear or display poppies on National Poppy Day in memory of the fallen and to honor those who have fought for freedom. (From ALAforveterans.org) I also encourage you to join the American Legion Auxiliary National Facebook Page: ALA Poppy Program. There are lots of Poppy ideas and photos. Charlotte Bass Department Poppy Chairman
Page 6 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org American Legion Post 80 We Shall Keep the Faith Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields, Sleep sweet - to rise anew! We caught the torch you threw And holding high, we keep the Faith With All who died. We cherish, too, the poppy red That grows on fields where valor led; It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies, But lends a luster to the red Of the flower that blooms above the dead In Flanders Fields. And now the Torch and Poppy Red We wear in honor of our dead. Fear not that ye have died for naught; We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought In Flanders Fields. By Moina Michael, November 1918 After reading John McCrae s poem In Flanders Fields, Moina Michael made a personal pledge to keep the faith. She felt compelled to make a note of this pledge and hastily scribbled down a response entitled We Shall Keep the Faith on the back of a used envelope. From that day, she vowed to wear a red poppy of Flanders Fields as a sign of remembrance.
Page 7 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org American Legion Post 80 6th District Picnic Raising funds for Girls & Boys State Transportation.
Page 8 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org American Legion Post 80 Whether your having a small intimate gathering or planning a larger event, the Legion Post 80 Civic Hall can accommodate your party needs. Book the Civic Hall now! Our Civic Hall is Available for Rent for Parties, Meetings or Events of Any Kind! Contact Lady George at the Post at (407) 892-8808 GRADUATION PARTY FAMILY REUNION