SEPTEMBER 2007
COMMANDER’S CORNER: Congratulations to all who attended Legion College, 327 Family was represented very well, out of 218, our family had 20 who attended, the Department Commander was very impressed. Congratulations to our very own Auxiliary President, Dawn Thomas for being recognized as the Spirit Award Winner, which was very impressive. Thank you to the Honor Guard and all who endured the HEAT at the National Nights Out Parade. The Legion Family night out to Tides game was a great success, we had 25 children to attend along with quite a few adults, please remember when we do Children/Youth functions they are alcohol and smoke free when around the kids. Beginning in the month of October the price of breakfast will be raised to $6.00. The planning for the Post 60th Anniversary is in progress, it is set for Dec 7, 2007. There will be many fundraisers going on to raise the funds to put this event on, please support this cause. Beginning in Sept., Lori Thomas will be heading a raffle for the radio that will be displayed behind the bar, the drawing will be at the Nov. meeting, $1.00 per chance. I will be doing a raffle for two windbreakers this month also, drawing at Oct. meeting, $1.00 per chance. Please continue to turn in those hours. For God and Country, Johnnie A. Maples, II
First Vice Commander: We are off to a great start for our 2008 membership. We are currently at 58%, thanks to those that have renewed. Be sure to renew before December so that we may make our 100% before the end of the year. For God and Country, Byron Pianalto
Second Vice Commander: By the time you read this, the Labor Day picnic will be a not so distant memory. I hope all who came had a good time, and I'm looking forward to seeing all the picnic regulars and hopefully some new faces on Memorial Day. In the meantime we are already planning for New Years Eve and expect another great evening. For God and Country, Gary L. Rodencal
Chaplain: Post Everlasting will be at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September for Michael Dudek, Sr. Mike’s family and friends are invited to join us. For God & Country, Larry Christian
Service Officer: As the new Service Officer, I am looking forward to serving our community, the Post, fellow veterans and dependents. I attended the Basic Service Officer Course during my attendance at the American Legion College a few weeks ago. I will be at the Post on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month (beginning September 26, 2007) between the hours of 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. to provide service, answer questions or assist in the Service Office capacity. However, if you have an urgent situation and need to reach me immediately, please call me on my cell at 757-404-6111. I hope to have your support throughout my tenure as Service Officer. For God and Country, Angela Faith Ellis
Auxiliary President: Hello Ladies. September is here, and we all know about school starting, so please watch out for the children when driving. Some of your Auxiliary Officers and members were able to attend the Leadership College held Aug. 10th-12th. This was very educational to us and will be reported at our meeting on Sep 4th. I want to let you all know that a total of 20 of us were up there as a family. That was nice to see. Dinner on the 7th of Sep. will be sweet and sour pork chops (C&Y). We will be holding a back-to-school party for the children this month. There will be a sign-up list for you to sign the children up so they can get the things they need for school. The Male Dancers will be here on Sep. 28th. This event is for VA&RT. There are a lot of things coming up, so please attend our meeting to find out the dates on some of these things. Don't forget your membership. You may come in or mail it. Right now we are at about 46%. Help us reach our 100% goal. It’s you and only you that can help us. For God and Country, Dawn Thomas
ALA Executive Board: Ladies, our Unit 327 was very proud to have represented this great organization of women at the Department of Virginia American Legion Family Leadership College 10-12 August 2007. There were nine of our Unit attending this most informative college in Lynchburg, VA., bringing back ideas we hope to share with you over the next few months. Participants shared ideas with volunteer leaders from across the state and four members from National Headquarters. Among the topics discussed were Americanism, C&Y, Membership, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, and Public Relations. Our very own President, Dawn Thomas, won the SPIRIT AWARD and told all present that the award was won and deserved by our Unit and without our hard work and dedication to our programs, it would not have been given. We are very honored to have brought this award home for Dawn. Attend meetings and find out what you can do with just one hour of time to help so many and learn so much more about what the American Legion Auxiliary stands for in your community. For God & Country, Jean Lewis, Public Relations Chairman.
Squadron 327 Commander: Hey, what a great time everyone had at Legion College. Post 327 had over 20 people attend, the largest showing of any post. I would like to congratulate Dawn Thomas for winning the Spirit Award. Everyone from 327 had a lot of spirit on Sunday morning as we all got our Diploma's. All the cheering for each other let everyone know 327 was in the house. We all should have a great year with all the knowledge we now have. Our Legion Family Night at Harbor Park was also a great success. A great time was had by all. Next month we are planning a children's fishing trip at the Ocean View fishing pier. Look for sign up sheet at the Post soon. Please keep in mind we are doing these events for the children and would like as many as possible to attend. Also as adults we need to set a good example and keep the drinking to a minimum. I would like to welcome our 2 new members Daniel Carter & Charlie Gower. It was also great to see some members who haven't been around for a while coming back to our meetings. I would like to encourage all to come and get involved as good things are starting to happen. For God and Country, Steve Gower Sr.
Legion Dart League. A sign-up sheet for the dart teams is currently posted on the meeting hall door. The meeting will be held on 13 Sep. at 7:30 p.m. The tentative starting date is 20 Sep. depending on how many teams sign up.
HUMOR: I received the following in an email: USES--Two young boys walk into a pharmacy one day, pick out a box of Tampax and proceed to the checkout counter. The man at the counter asks the older boy, "Son, how old are you?" "Eight," the boy replies. The man continues, "Do you know what these are used for?" "Not exactly," the boy says. "But they aren't for me. They're for him, he's my brother and he's four years old. We saw on TV that if you use these you would be able to swim AND ride a bike. Right now he can't do either one."
EDITOR: Thanks to everyone involved, I have my Leadership College Diploma and a 100% Adjutant/Membership pin. Please respond at our email address (Attn: Editor) with your ideas on the following issue. The cost of mailing the newsletter monthly vice seven times a year was discussed at the Board meeting. It’s our main line of communication to members. It cost nearly $2,000 to mail the newsletter last year. Suggestions were made that the Association, Unit 327, and Squadron 327 share the expense. I will give your suggestions to the Executive Board or you may contact them personally at the Post. CDR Maples would like this issue to go to the floor at September’s regular Post meeting. Please notify me if you would like to receive the newsletter by mail or if you will use our Website. I hope everyone enjoyed the Labor Day picnic. May God bless each of you with good health and happiness. For God and Country, B.J. Miller-Nobles