DECEMBER 2008
COMMANDER: Happy Holidays. Thanks to all who participated in the Veteran’s Day Parade last month. The Tidewater Guard did a wonderful job, as usual. Thanks to our Congresswoman Thelma Drake for donating 500 flags for the Healing Field. The Auxiliary did a beautiful job with help from many members. The Post Thanksgiving dinner was a great success thanks to Joyce Kelly, Jim Dunning, “Skip”, Sharon & Mike B. and everyone else that helped. The Boys/Girls State and Jr. Law Cadet awards night was a memorable experience. The Post will be serving a Steak dinner on Friday, 12 December. Please come out and support this charity fundraiser. The annual Post Christmas party for the children will be held on 21 December from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Please bring your children to see Santa. Thanks to the ALA, Legion Riders, Sons & Juniors for all the volunteer work you do and for helping the Post. A “Special” thank you to Kaye, Donna H., and Sharon for all the delicious desserts you’ve made and donated to the Post. Reminder, the last mailing date for our troops overseas is 11 DEC. For God &Country, B. J. Miller
FIRST VICE COMMANDER: MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP! I know you are sick and tired of hearing about it, but it is my job. Today is November 20th and, as I write this, we still need 6 more renewals to reach our December goal of 75%. We should reach this goal. The last 25%, about 260 members, is very hard to get, and I cannot do it alone. If everybody reading this would sign up just ONE new member or if you know of someone who hasn’t renewed, please remind them to do so ASAP. WOW, that would really be great. For God and Country, “Skip” Kelly
SECOND VICE COMMANDER: I would like to add my wishes to all for a Joyous Holiday Season. The New Year’s Eve Party tickets are on sale now. Prices are $25 for a couple or $15 for a single ticket. The party will run from 9:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. with breakfast served afterwards. Please see me at the Post Home or give me a call at 773-6964 for tickets or more information. Also, I have a project in mind for the Post Home that requires a little woodworking skill. If you are interested and can spare a couple of hours, give me a call. For God and Country, Mike Bukowski
CHAPLAIN: Post Everlasting will be held on Tuesday, 9 DEC at 8:00 p.m. for Stan Smigley and Ken Sanders. Family and friends are invited to attend. Our prayers go to Mr. Allen Woodruff who is in DePaul Hospital. For God and Country, Rob Edwards
ATHLETIC OFFICER: As you may have heard, Post 327 is going to host the 2009 American Legion State Bowling Tournament the 28th of February and 1st of March at the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, VA. Gator Bowling Lanes. We are expecting around 150 to 200 out-of-town legionnaires. We are looking for some door prizes, nothing real big, just something they can take home with them. Please look around your home between now and the 15th of February 2009 to see if you have anything you might have received for Christmas or your birthday that you will not use. If you have something to donate, please bring it to the Post and give it to the Post Commander or one of her officers, the Auxiliary President or Vice President, so they can save it for the tournament. In closing, I want to THANK the individuals who have helped me with ticket sales over the past year and I wish ALL a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. For God and Country, Jim Norton
ALA PRESIDENT: Hi Ladies. Well, Thanksgiving is behind us, and Christmas is just around the corner. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with their family and friends. The dinner at the Post was wonderful as always. Thank you to all that donated all their time and dishes to our Thanksgiving dinner. On Friday, December 5th, the ALA will be serving a BBQ dinner. With Christmas coming, our first event will be the male dancers on December 8th at 7:00 p.m. Please come out and support us. All proceeds will be going to “Toys for Tots”. We would really like to go over the top this year. Bring a new toy and $5.00 and enjoy the fun. The Angel tree is up. Please come in and get one of the 88 angels and bring in your gift by 18 December so we can make the kids at St. Mary’s Infant Home happy. The sign-up sheet for the kid’s Christmas party will be up also. Also, please bring a dish for the Association’s adult Christmas party on December 19th. Make sure YOU sign your child up for the party on December 21st. Don’t forget to renew your Auxiliary membership. We really need to make 100% by January 2009. Please help us make our goal. For God and Country, Nancy Bell
SQUADRON 327 COMMANDER: HAPPY HOLIDAYS, GREETINGS TO ALL! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, as we look forward to Christmas. Please come in and sign up your children for the Christmas party. Also try to pick an Angel off the club tree and help someone in need. I know times are tough for all of us, but just helping one child will lift your spirits! Don't forget to get your raffle tickets for the recliner we are giving away at the adult Christmas Party. Most of all, please remember our Veterans and their families during this holiday season. If you have a friend or neighbor who has a loved one away serving our Country, try and reach out to them and show your support. They are very lonely during these times, and a little kindness goes a long way. For those who have a 2008 membership card you need to renew by Dec. 31 in order to come to the club. The door locks will be changed and you will need the 2009 membership card to get your new key. For God and Country, Steve Gower, Sr.
ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT: The adult Christmas Party will be on December 19th, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. All drinks will be removed from the bar & tables at 9:00 p.m. All members and guests will depart promptly at 9:00 p.m. All members are allowed to bring their significant other or one guest.
ELECTIONS***ELECTIONS***ELECTIONS: Association Board of Directors elections. Elections will be held on Sunday, February 15th, 2009 at the Post. Nominations will be accepted at the Association meeting on January 20th, 2009. If you intend to run for an Association office, you must be nominated and accept the nomination at this meeting. If you cannot attend this meeting you may accept a nomination to run by providing the Nominating Committee with a letter stating your intentions prior to the meeting. On election day ballots will be available from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. You must have a current American Legion Post 327 membership card to receive a ballot. There will be two amendments to the association by-laws to be voted on during the elections. They are amendments to ARTICLE II, meeting of members. This article states that the annual meeting of members will be held in the meeting hall in February of each year. Amendment number 1 would read as follows: The annual election of American Legion Post 327 Board of Directors will be held on the Sunday before the third Tuesday of February each year (15 Feb. 2009). Amendment number two would read as follows: The annual meeting of American Legion Post 327 Association will be held on the third Tuesday in February of each year (17 Feb 2009). The purpose of this meeting is to present the newly elected Board of Directors and to conduct any such business that may come before the meeting. For God and Country, Jim Martin
ASSOCIATION CLUB MANAGER: New keys will be available Tuesday, January 2nd, 2009. I wish each of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May everyone be blessed with good health and much happiness in 2009. For God &Country, Sandi Wright
HUMOR: Bessie, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into other people's business. Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence. She made a mistake, however, when she accused George, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told George and several others that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing. George, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny. He said nothing. Later that evening, George quietly parked his pickup in front of Bessie's house...walked home....and left it there all night. Don't you just love George.
EDITOR: I wish you the best Christmas ever and a Happy New Year. Please continue to report any community service hours and all expenses/contributions that you have made. May God bless each and every one of you with good health and happiness. For God and Country, B.J. Miller