T. Nulty Post 471
The American Legion
25 Brown Avenue
Iselin, NJ 08830
732-634-9119
www.tnultypost471.org Printable Copy Back to the Main Menu
POST JAN/MARCH NEWSLETTER
COMMANDER’S MESSAGE – Stanley Baum – I hope you all had a good holiday, and now the New Year is starting. Things here at Post 471 are slow and gloomy. After the Holidays, everything seems to die down. Let’s pick it up again. Drop down to the Post and visit the meetings, the lounge, and enjoy the Post Home; it’s here for you, that’s what it’s for – “our veterans” – to enjoy and use. We have recently had the children’s Christmas Party, Adult’s Christmas Party, and Post meetings, packing goodie boxes for “our veterans” – our forces overseas. There were 26 boxes packed that were sent to our troops from our area that are in Iraq or Afghanistan to enjoy for the holidays. We at Post 471 are still collecting goodies for our troops for the next shipment overseas. Look at the Dates to Remember, see what is going on at Post 471 and come on down. We are here for you!!
1st Vice Commander – John Canova - To date our Post Membership stands at 548 (83.3%) a very good number. However, 64 members still owe their 2010 dues. A reminder any member failing to renew by December 31, 2009, will become a delinquent member as of January 1, 2010. A number of members have moved or changed their phone and address please let us know so we can update our records
On April 16, 2010, at the Post Inn, at 8 PM several new and transferred members will be inducted into the American Legion during an initiation ceremony. Also, the Post will recognize 56 Post members who have been Legionnaires from 25 to sixty (60) years. To our members who live outside of the area your certificates will be mailed to you with our thanks for all the support. Those living within the area will be asked to come and receive their certificates at the meeting. Any member or family member in need of a wheelchair, walker, cane or portable toilet can contact the Post to receive one. Just call or e-mail us to arrange a pick up for one while they are available.
2nd Vice Commander – Ed McGrory – The Children & Youth Committee reports that paperwork for the American Legion Safety Essay Contest was passed out to the schools and will be picked up prior to Feb. 1st, 2010. Paperwork for the American Legion Boys State @ Rider University in June is expected to be @ the Post by the middle of January. Voting on the six candidates sponsored by Post 471 will be completed by the County meeting in February. Information on the Dept. of NJ $2000 American Legion Scholarship and the Post 471 Brandli Scholarship will be available in January 2010. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Youth Activities Dept.
3rd Vice Commander – Frank Kemper – I wish to thank Post 471 for nominating me to receive the Mayor’s Volunteer Appreciation Award. Also, Post 471’s Color Guard was very active recently at several veterans’ ceremonies and parades. Cub Scout Pack 148 recently made Christmas ornaments for the Menlo Park Veterans Home. Pack 148’s Pinewood Derby will be held at the post on Jan. 16th and their Blue & Gold Dinner will be held on Feb. 21st.
4TH Vice Commander – Charley Paul - The Children’s Christmas Party was held on Dec.13th and was very successful. It was successful because of the many hands that made it that way. I would to thank everyone and anyone that helped and made my job easier. I don’t want to slight anyone by omitting any names . . . those persons know who they are. I was informed that there were 28 goody bags given to the children and the 12 that were left over were given to handicapped children.
The Buy-A-Brick Program has stalled at 28 bricks and 7 brick-tiles. Please remember that this is an ongoing fund raiser for the post and at this time, there is no deadline or end. Thank You to all that have already made a purchase and hopefully, more orders will come in. On a final note, best wishes for the holiday seasons and best of health.
CHAPLAIN’S REPORT – Mike Serak – since our last Newsletter, the following members have reported to Post Everlasting: Joseph W. Oldak, Herbert De Noyelles, John Carey, Joseph D. Aluto, Lawrence S. Lucas, and John Frost. We salute them! BLOOD DRIVE – Our next Blood Drive will be on Tuesday March 16th, 2010. Please mark your calendar’s and ask your family, friends, and neighbors to come on down and make this drive a success!
CHRISTMAS BASKETS will again be delivered by Post 471 members to 12 needy families in our area. Our thanks to Izzy Pawlowski & South Amboy Foodtown!!
SERVICE OFFICER’S REPORT – Ed Gorman and John Hunt – To all of you who may have children or grandchildren currently serving in or honorably discharged from military service; I want to alert you again to the new 9-11 GI Bill.
Past Commander Ron Davie and I attended a forum at Kean University regarding OPERATION COLLEGE PROMISE. This program is dedicated to veterans and their families. Complete information can be found @ HYPERLINK "http://www.OperationCollegePromise.com"www.OperationCollegePromise.com
Another program that was also discussed at the forum is called WRIISC Advantage. This program is a newly developed program that deals with exposure concerns. The WRIISC Advantage concerns our currently active or honorably discharged servicemen and women. Information can be found at: HYPERLINK "http://www.warrelatedillness.gov"www.warrelatedillness.gov
As mentioned to your previously, we are receiving more and more requests for applications to the various veterans homes in the state of New Jersey. Applications for these services are available at the Post or call an appointment with the service officers @ 732-634-9119.
Again, we can’t emphasize enough the importance of you keeping your family informed of where all of your important documents and papers are located and what your wishes are in the event of an emergency.
HISTORIAN – Gene Bernhardt – First, I would like to congratulate the winners of our Christmas Raffle. 1st place was won by Stanley Bogurski of Woodbridge ($1,797.60); 2nd place went to Loretta McNamara of Edison ($898.80); 3rd place was won by Christina and Rich Huxford of Roselle Park ($299.60)—three nice Christmas presents. I would also like to thank everyone who bought and sold tickets. These 50/50 raffles are our main fundraisers for our charity work. The majority of the funds go to help Veterans (like you and me) who are in need. The next 50/50 will be in June. So, for those members who were unable to sell their two tickets this time, please try to support your American Legion Post in the June 50/50. Remember, the more tickets sold, the larger the prizes are for you to win! In closing, I want to wish each and every one of you a wonderful Christmas Season and a healthy and happy New Year.
SERGEANT @ ARMS – Barry Strother – We continue to accept American flags which are no longer useful to be retired at our Flag Day Ceremony. Drop them off at the box in front of the Post. Also, Color Guard volunteers are needed to help us represent Post 471 at all functions we attend. Call Frank Kemper or myself please.
ATLANTIC CITY TRIP!! - Don Harrity – 732-283-0751 - Our next bus trip to Atlantic City will be on Sunday, January 31st to the Showboat. The cost is $25 per person and includes coffee, donuts & bagels at the Post from 9AM-10AM. The bus will leave the Post at 10AM sharp!! Payment at time of sign-up in Lounge guarantee’s your seat(s)
***THE BODY OF AMERICAN LEGION POST 471 HAS 4 KINDS OF BONES!!!
The WISHBONES: Spend all of their time wishing someone else would do all of the WORK!!
The JAWBONES do all the talking and VERY LITTLE ELSE!!
The KNUCKLEBONES are those who KNOCK EVERYTHING ANYONE ELSE TRIES TO DO!!
The BACKBONES are those WHO GET GOING AND GET THE WORK DONE!!!
WHAT KIND OF BONE ARE YOU?? GET INVOLVED, HELP YOUR POST!!!
WE NEED BACKBONES NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUILDING CORPORATION – Ron Davie – We really need your help at the Post to tend bar, help with Building & Grounds, etc. If you cannot help us physically, or your time is too limited, all members should be helping your Post by telling family, friends, neighbors, co-workers about our beautiful Banquet Hall that they can rent at reasonable prices---that can help keep our building operating in the black. We do well with the Hall during the week, but definitely need everyone’s help to obtain bookings on the weekend. The Hall and Lounge operation since July 01, 2009 is currently $695 in the red! Post 471 has 400 members within a 20 minute drive; all of those members should be rallying to our aid! Have your friends, etc. check out our website: HYPERLINK "http://www.tnultypost471.org" www.tnultypost471.org to see what a beautiful Banquet hall, Lounge, and informative site we have!!
UNIT 471 REPORT – President Diane Davie – Many thanks to our Auxiliary and Post members who volunteered their time and efforts to make Unit 471’s “Elvis & Friends” night fundraiser such a success! The Hall was filled to capacity, and a good time was had by all who attended! Our Unit 471 is always looking for new members to help us in our veterans programs. We are trying very hard to be a GOAL UNIT in 2010, and you can help us attain our goal! There are several women whose husbands belong to the Post, but do not belong to our Unit 471. We could really use your help. Bring your husband to his meeting on the first Friday of the month and enjoy the coffee and cake after the meetings!
UNIT 471 MEMBERSHIP – Madeline Murray – To date we have 87 paid members for 2010. Thank you to all our members who paid their dues early and on time. We still have 16 unpaid members and I am hoping their dues will be paid before December 31st. After December 31st, your dues will be past due. Please get your dues in. I am really hoping to be a GOAL UNIT for the year 2010!
GIRLS STATE: Madeline Murray – Mariel Quintana from Colonia High School and Kathleen Cruz from Woodbridge High School, our delegates at Girls State, came to our October meeting. The girls got to meet all of our members at the meeting, and they talked about their experience at Girls State. They had a great time and thanked us for letting them attend. I as Chairman was so pleased that we could send these 2 girls to represent Unit 471!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
FEB 04 Post 471 Bingo @ Menlo Vets Home – 6:30PM
05 Post 471, Unit 471 meetings @ 8PM
08 Post/Unit 471 Volunteer’s @ Menlo Vets Coffee Hour – 1:30PM
19 Post 471 meeting @ 8PM
21 Cub Scout Pack Blue & Gold Dinner @ Post 471, 1-5 PM
22 Post/Unit 471 Volunteer’s @ Menlo Vets Coffee Hour – 1:30PM
23 Post 471 Blue Star Family Support Group Meeting – 7PM
MAR 05 Post 471 & Unit 471 meetings @ 8PM
08 Post/Unit 471 Volunteer’s @ Menlo Vets Coffee Hour – 1:30PM
16 POST 471 BLOOD DRIVE 2:30-8PM @ Post 471
19 Post 471 Meeting – 8PM
March 21st Pancake Breakfast
22 Post/Unit 471 Volunteer’s @ Menlo Vets Coffee Hour – 1:30PM
30 Post 471 Blue Star Family Support Group Meeting – 7PM
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE LATELY TO SUPPORT YOUR POST 471????
***Please support those vendors who supplied the Gift Certificates and Gift Cards for our Welcome Home Packets/Boxes to present to our troops when they return:
Avenel Car Wash/Avenel Hess Corporation, Woodbridge Carvel on St. George Avenue in Colonia D’Orsi Bakery/Port Reading Beana’s Restaurant/Rahway
D’Italia’s Restaurant/Avenel Firehouse Eatery & Pub/ Rahway Springwood Swim Club/Colonia Ferraro’s Restaurant/Westfield Pino’s Pizza/Woodbridge
NAPA Auto Parts on St. George Ave. in Colonia THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!