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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2009

COMMANDER:  Hello everyone. We didn’t have a good turnout for Casino Night, but those that were there had a good time.  All the volunteers did a great job. We may try it again in a few months.  Welcome aboard to all of our new members.  Please stop by the Post and introduce yourself to your fellow comrades.  We just finished the Dept. Fall Conference, and it’s time to get ready for the upcoming holidays, Thanksgiving, Veterans Day, Christmas, and our New Year’s Eve Party. 

Info from Craig Huber’s email: This year’s Veteran’s Day Parade in Virginia Beach is being sponsored by your American Legion.  We desperately need all those members that are able to march in the parade with us as proud members of the American Legion.  So, dig deep and find the courage to show this community how proud you are to have served in the Armed Forces of this great nation, and to thank the American Legion for their diligent efforts in your behalf over the years to force legislative goals on your behalf and benefit.

The parade starts on 16th Street and Atlantic Avenue at 0900. You need to assemble there (we are unit 23C in the parade) at about 0830 to “march” in formation behind the American Legion Flag Float, down to the Tidewater Memorial, where there will be a short memorial service.  The “uniform” for the event is loosely described as grey slacks and a navy blue sport coat, comfortable shoes, and your legion cap (if you have one).  After the Memorial (-1200) there is a luncheon at the Doubletree Hotel, 1900 Pavilion Drive, across from the Veteran’s Memorial.  The luncheon price is $15 if you desire to stay and participate, and tickets can be obtained from Wally Timmons (340-3500).  Please plan to participate!!!

Applebee’s: In recognition of your service to our country, all veterans and active duty military personnel are invited to eat free at Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill Restaurants this Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009.  http://www.applebees.com/vetsday/  Proof of service includes:  U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired I.D. Card, Current leave and earnings statement, Veterans organization card, photograph in uniform or wearing uniform. 

FIRST NOTICE- The election of Post Officers will be held Tuesday, 11 May 2010 at the regular meeting. If you would like to run for an office please submit your name to the Nomination Committee, Adjutant Michael Bukowski or the Finance Officer Ray Steckman.  All Post positions are open each year and any Post member can run if they have been initiated.  Please do not run for an office just to hold the title.  You must be present at the meeting to be elected, if not you must submit a letter of intent.  Be sure to attend the meeting to vote for your choice of Legion members running for office for the upcoming year. 

Reminder:  Daylight saving time begins 1 Nov 09. Set your clocks back 1 hour.  For God & Country, B. J. Miller 

FIRST VICE COMMANDER: Membership is at approximately 65%.  Your 2009 card expires 31 Dec 09.  If you haven’t renewed for 2010 now would be a good time to do it. For God and Country, Jerry Mason

SECOND VICE COMMANDER: The 8^th annual car show was a full day event with some very nice weather.  The word is spreading throughout the automobile world that this is a top shelf event with a beautiful setting and hosted by a fine group of volunteers from the American Legion Post 327, case in point – a Rolls Royce, vintage Corvette and Auburn were in attendance.  We are by no means snobs to boast on only these types of cars. But they will only show up at well-run and regulated shows.  Jim Taylor won first place in his beautiful 1955 Corvette.  The food was prepared by Tony Moore and a fine hamburger basket he did prepare.  Thanks to all who supported and donated to the dollar buckets.  They were overflowing due to your generosity.  The sing off for the Top Karaoke singer was awarded to Larry Ainsley, with a 1st place prize of $100.00.  The field consisted of 10 contestants that had been selected from the past 5 weeks of competition on Saturday Night karaoke hosted by our local DJs.  We have some very good talent here at the Post.  It was a fun event that raised a large amount of money for our charities.  Walt DeGraaf provided the all-day music free of charge as a donation to our charity programs.

The POW/MIA Recognition Day held on 18 September was outstanding, and the support was truly in the spirit of the families of our veterans groups, the American Legion Post 327, ALA, VVA, Sons, and the 40/8.  Our honored guests included the Gold Star Mothers and one father, the parents of a USS Cole sailor, former POWs Mr. Woodie and Mr. Harwell, and our Medal of Valor recipient Carl Carney.  In our hearts they are not forgotten. 

The New Year’s Eve Party for 2010 is just around the corner and the planning stage is set.  Tickets are on sale behind the Bar or by contacting Jean Lewis or Nancy Bell.  The cost is $25.00 per couple and $15.00 per single.  The seating will be the same as last year with 8 tables arranged.  Ten people can sit at each table.  Buy your tickets early to ensure you are with the ones you will be hugging at the stroke of midnight.   This year we have decided to honor our over-70 seniors with a free ticket as long as they are a member in good standing.  The bar will be stocked with all your favorite alcohol drinks and a full line of non-alcohol drinks.  The food will consist of heavy hors d’ oeuvres.  The music will be provided by Walt DeGraaf, a well-known and respected DJ, that has performed at many of our events with nothing short of a superb performance, so come on out and enjoy the company of your friends and neighbors at the best little club this side of the big ditch.  And yes, there will be the world famous breakfast at the conclusion of the party. 

We are asking for volunteers to provide a free ride home program to those who might have celebrated just a wee bit too much.  A gasoline reimbursement will be provided to those who participate.  For God and Country, Larry Turner

POST ATHLETIC OFFICER:  The state American Legion Bowling Tournament will be held on the 27-28 of February 2010 in Danville, Va.  It will be hosted by American Legion Post 325.  Cost for total tournament will be $59.00.  That is $18.00 for each event and $5.00 for all events.  Bowling will be held at Riverside Lanes in Danville.  When I get the official tournament application which will be the 1^st of November 2009, I will try and post the applications on the Post 327 web site and, hopefully, they will be available on the department web site.  I will also have some paper copies at the post. Look for more information in the January newsletter. If you have any questions call me at 853-0475. Info regarding bus transportation: I have contacted a couple of bus lines, and it looks like it will cost about $40.00 per person based on having 50 people ride the bus.  I will put a sign-up sheet at the Post the 1^st of November for sign-ups. 

On behalf of me and my lovely bride, we want to wish you all a happy holiday season.  For God and Country, Jim Norton

POST CHILDREN AND YOUTH CHAIRMAN: The kid’s Christmas party will be Sunday, December 20^th at 1:00 p.m.  There will be a sign-up sheet outside the hall door.  Children must be signed up by Dec 15^th and must be present to receive their gift. If you would like to donate cookies, candy, etc., it would be greatly appreciated.  If you have any questions, please contact me.  For God and Country, Mark Harris

ALA PRESIDENT: Hello Ladies: Well, we are getting ready to get into our holiday season.  We have a Lasagna dinner on Nov. 6^th.  We have a very special event planned for Friday, November 20^th from 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.  We are having a karaoke/scavenger hunt.  It’s not like a regular scavenger hunt.  Everything you need will either be in your pockets, purse, wallet, or in the building.  There will be gifts galore that you could win either with the tickets you will be given at the beginning or you can purchase extra tickets.  This will benefit the veterans.  It will be great fun.  Please come out and join us.  Look for the posters displayed at the Post. 

FIRST NOTICE OF ALA ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The ALA election of officers will be held the first Tuesday in May 2010 at our regular 7:00 p.m. meeting.  Also, we will be having a blood drive on Sunday, November 22^nd from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  We are trying to beat our record of 80 pints.   Also, don’t forget Thanksgiving baskets.  Please contact us if you know of anyone who might need some help.  The Angel tree will be up also the 1^st of December.  The Juniors would like to thank everyone who helped with the haunted house they had at the end of October.  It was a great success.  Put a note on your calendar, we will be having a Christmas Bazaar December 3^rd and 4^th from 6-9:00 p.m. 

 We will have another one on Sunday, Dec. 6^th during breakfast 9-11:00 a.m. 

If there is anyone “crafty” there will be a bazaar workshop Saturday, November 21^st at 2:00 p.m.  Come help the juniors with ideas or support.

Please don't forget to renew your membership.   For God and Country, Nancy Bell

SQUADRON 327 COMMANDER: Greetings Comrades, Since we are doing bi-monthly newsletters this will be the 1st Notice for Squadron elections to be held at our June meeting. This should give everyone who would 

like to run for an office time to get acquainted with duties of position.  Our dinner for November will be Pork Barbeque.   I would like to thank the 40&8 for putting on a great POW/MIA program last month and for including 

the whole Legion family.  We had our BBQ chicken dinner that night and sold over 75 dinners. Thanks to all who helped make that night a success. Notes from Fall NEC Meeting in Indy: Jeff Evans is working on key 

Legislative Bills the Department of Va. wants passed at this year’s General Assembly Session.   He will be going up to Richmond in January for the annual Day on the Hill.   I had our first meeting with the National 

Homeland Security Commission, and I’m going to be working with all the Detachments in the Southern Region to get all squadrons involved with Homeland Security. I have appointed Cliff Carney as Chairman for 

our Squadron. He will be reaching out to anyone who would like to help.   The first thing we will be doing is getting people to take a class from their local CERT office. This is Citizen Emergency Response Team. All 

local cities have classes FREE to teach us how to assist our Police Fire/Rescue units in times of disasters such as floods, tornado's, and fires. By getting certified you be able to enter your own neighborhoods and help 

with recovering efforts such as clearing fallen trees, securing vacant homes, checking for downed power lines or natural gas leaks. This is a great program for all Legion Family members to get involved in.  Anyone whose 

has a computer can go to the FEMA web site and follow links to CERT. There you enter your zip code and it will pull up all local CERT programs.   Please remember your neighbors who might be alone this Holiday season. 

Invite them over for Thanksgiving Dinner or over the Christmas Holidays. 

Some of their loved ones are fighting for our freedom and a little kindness goes a long way. For God and Country, Steve Gower, Sr. 

ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT: ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS FOR 2010

Elections will be held on Sunday, February 14^th, 2010 with results announced at the Association meeting on February 16^th.  All candidates for office will be posted by January 25^th on the bulletin boards in the club.  On election day ballots will be available at the Post from NOON until 6 p.m. on February 14^th when election voting will be closed.  You must have a current 2010 membership card from the American Legion Post 327 in your possession to receive a ballot.  A voting officer will be assigned to verify eligibility and monitor voting procedures.  When the polls close, the voting officer and two appointed Association members will count the ballots and provide the results to the Association President.  For God & Country, Jim Martin

ASSOCIATION CLUB MANAGER:  New door keys will be available on Saturday, 2 Jan 2010.  You must have your 2010 membership card with you to get your new key.  Don’t forget to pay your $5.00 locker fees for 2010 in January.  The Association’s Christmas party will be on 18 December from 6-9:00 p.m. in the Club room.  Adults ONLY!  Members may bring a significant other. The club will be open from 4:00 p.m. until whenever on Christmas day.  Please support meals served at the Club - remember 100% of profits go to charities.  All functions - picnics, meals, dances, ticket weekends, etc., are done by VOLUNTEERS.  Your help is needed.  For God and Country, Sandra Wright

Wall of Honor:  If any member has a loved one serving in the Middle East, please bring in an 8”x10” picture of the member in uniform and give it to June Sanchez so it can be placed on our Wall of Honor.  We are going to honor all of our men and women who are currently serving in the Middle East.  We would love to place their photo on our wall.  Their picture will stay up as long as they are over in the Middle East.  As they return, I will personally take their picture down and return it to the family.  You may contact me at 377-4905.  For God and Country, June Sanchez

Thanks to Karen Bagby of Uncle Bob’s Self-Storage Store #159 and Bob Grasse and the American Legion Dart Team members for donating the bags of candy for the children’s Halloween party.  Sharon Bukowski asked for donations of candy and you provided.  Well done.

EDITOR:  If you would like to receive your newsletter by mail, please let me know.  If I don’t hear from you, you may get the newsletter online at www.legion327.org.  Our email address is amlg327@yahoo.com.  We are trying to save money on the expensive cost of printing and mailing the newsletter.