COMMANDER’S MESSAGE – John P. Canova - I would like to wish all of our members and friends a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Happy New Year. Our Spaghetti Dinner for the Veterans at Menlo Park was a big success in part to all the donations in product and service. A second Spaghetti Dinner will be held in May. The adult Christmas Party was well attended and our annual 50/50 raffle was profitable. Please note the upcoming events taking place at the Post. Starting in January, reservations will be taken for the Department Convention to be held June 7th to 9th in Wildwood. On January 14th, Cub Scout Pack 148 will participate in their annual Pinewood Derby, and on February 26th they will hold their Blue & Gold Dinner.
In March the Nominating Committee will begin seeking members to run for office, with elections being held during the May 4th meeting. Once again we ask our younger members to step forward and consider running for Office. Induction of newly elected Officers will take place in June.
The Initiation and Continuous Years Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 2nd at 8 pm and our Annual Awards Night will take place on April 6th. In addition, several Bingos will be held at Menlo Park Veterans Home. To all who have supported our many programs, we thank you and look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming events.
IMPORTANT NOTES: Our Post Website (www.tnultypost471.org) has been upgraded. We are now in the process of upgrading our newsletter. Check out the changes and note that our newsletter can now be viewed online.
1st Vice Commander – Membership - John Hunt – 453 members (82%) have paid their dues for 2012. This includes 33 members who renewed online. Also in response to the information update sent with the 2012 Member Cards, 120 returned the questionnaire: 60 said that they would check the newsletter on-line, and 60 requested to continue to receive the newsletter in the mail. Thanks to all who responded. How about the other 330+ members?
On March 2nd, 2012, we will induct new members into our Post: Nicholas Seguine, Jeffrey Karabin, Richard F. Liebler AND Ramon Orriss. We will also honor 35 members with continuous service of 25 plus years, most notably: Sophie Kawejzsa (65), Gus Moscomagas (60), Harold R. Peterson – Fords (55), Edward C. Gorman (50), and John Zelesnik (50). The remaining have between 25 and 45 years membership. However, you have to be paid up for 2012 to receive your certificate.
Additionally, 20 members were dropped from our roles for non-payment of 2010 dues, and 21 members still owe for 2011. The delinquent list is posted on the bulletin board.
2nd Vice Commander – Charles K. Paul II - The Post is here to stay and so is the “Buy-A-Brick” program. At present, there are 45 engraved bricks that have been installed along the walkway. Thank you to all that have made this endeavor what it is at present. It would be a very thoughtful remembrance to have one of the engraved bricks installed for a loved one that has enrolled in “Post Everlasting” or someone that you treasure and is still with us. Please remember that this is an ongoing project and hopefully many more engraved bricks will be ordered.
The cost is $75.00 for each engraved brick and order forms can be obtained at the Post’s lounge or online at our website. If you have any questions, please contact me at home at 732-634-4174. My thoughts are with everyone for a wonderful, happy and prosperous Christmas, Chanukah, New Year and whatever you may celebrate.
3rd Vice Commander – Frank Kemper – I hope you enjoyed the Post Christmas Party as much as I did. The food and entertainment were very good. The next Cub Scout Pack 148 meeting is on Dec. 20th. The famous Pack 148 Pinewood Derby is on Jan. 14th, and the annual Blue & Gold Dinner is Feb. 26th. Thanks to all the members who were active in our Color Guard this year.
4th Vice Commander – Ed McGrory – Children & Youth Committee – The Coloring Contest and Safety Essay Contest have been distributed to the Schools, and will be picked up on February 8th. The Post will then judge the entries and give them to the County Chairman by Feb. 15th for County Judging. By the time you read this, $1050 will have been mailed to the Boys State Department in Trenton. This money will pay for five (5) young men to attend Boys State at Rider University in June. Following the election of officers in May, I will be turning over the reins of this committee to a younger man. It’s time for the newer veterans to take over. Join your local Legion Post and help the youth of this great country achieve their goals! Show your pride in the Legion by helping your Post any way you can. Happy Holidays!
CHAPLAIN’S REPORT – Mike Serak – – Since our last Newsletter, the following members have reported to Post Everlasting: James Sims Sr., Isadore A. Pawlawski, Helen Jacob, Thomas J. Gallagher, Charles Sutter, Robert Burnitis, and George Goodrich. For God and Country, we salute each one of them.
South Amboy Foodtown will once again put together Christmas Baskets to help needy families in our area. We thank them for their help. If you know of a member that is ill or in the hospital, please notify the Post @ 732-634-9119.
SERVICE OFFICER’S REPORT – Ed Gorman – John Rosetti – Important Documents and Papers
Recent contacts by family members, reminds me and others of the importance of informing your family and loved ones of the location of your important historical information. Documents and papers such as Military Discharge, (DD214) Marriage License, Property Deeds, Medical Records, Power of Attorney, Wills and Financial Documents and any others that may apply to your particular situation. In almost every instance the need arises in emergency situations wherein the need for action is immediate. These situations almost always result in un-necessary financial expense, loss of important time, serious delays in action, frustration and hardship on your loved ones at a time when they are in serious distress. We know that many of you are sick and tired of hearing me or reading us discuss this subject, but if we could invite you to be with us when we get these calls, you would regret your inaction in this matter.
VA Compensation Claims - The same problems occur when filing for Veterans’ Benefits. We (you) lose more time getting your claim approved, much less acted upon, and this always results in long delays because of the appeal process and the extra amount of research that is always required. These delays can take many months and in some cases years. Many cases are also delayed by you or your family not seeking the help of a Veteran Service Officer. In every case of a turned down application or appeal the VA Adjudicator will hint or advise the help of one.
Respectfully submitted Ed Gorman—John Rosetti
HISTORIAN – Gene Bernhardt – I would like to take this time to congratulate the three winners of Post 471’s Annual Christmas 50/50 Raffle. Our first place winner won $3,174.00--Dale Eckensberger of Iselin held the lucky ticket; second place paid $1,587.00 and was won by Lou Catapane of Perth Amboy; and our third place winner Peg Castner of Woodbridge won $529.00.
I would like to thank all members who bought and sold tickets. A special thanks to our Post Commander John Canova for his outstanding effort of selling well over 250 tickets. Well done John! All the proceeds of the 50/50 will be put to very good use. We have many programs that will benefit from the money. We are all looking forward to next year at Post 471. I would like to invite you one and all to come by and lend a hand. We appreciate any help you can give. I hope all members and their families are having a wonderful holiday season!
SERGEANT AT ARMS – Barry Strother – We continue to accept American flags which are no longer serviceable to be dropped off at the box in front of the Post.
PAST COMMANDER – Stanley Baum – Legionnaires – Another Holiday season has gone; boy are they passing too fast! If you were not at the Christmas Party, you missed a nice affair; everybody enjoyed the food and dancing. I had a good time! That’s what the Post Affairs are all about, getting together for the members to enjoy their Post Home and friendships! How did you like the new interior of the Post Hall? It is a big difference, nice job. Come on down and enjoy your Post. The meetings are on the first Friday of every month.
BUILDING CORPORATION – Frank Biscay – This is a reminder that all Paid Up members, Auxiliary and SAL get discounted rates when renting our large hall so keep us in mind when planning a party or thinking about a hall for any occasion. We just completed a renovation of our hall so come down and see how bright and inviting it is. Our bar has been decorated for the Holidays and the big room should be completed this week. Our roof problem detailed in our last letter was resolved by a local roofer at a cost equal to 10% of what was originally proposed so that's one less problem to worry about. Let's hope we have a mild winter compared to last years and may everyone have a Happy and joyful Christmas and New Year.
Finance Officer – Don Harrity - Wildwood 2012 – The New Year is fast approaching, and it’s time to think summer, and think Wildwood Convention! Next year’s convention weekend will be on June 7th, 8th, and 9th. So come one, come all, for a great weekend with the parade being on Saturday the 9th. We will again be staying at the Olympic Motel which is right on the beach in Wildwood Crest! Room reservations must be in by April 1st, with rates not yet decided. The new rates will be in the next Newsletter and should be around $110 for the first nights deposit, including the hospitality room.
Judge Advocate – Ron Davie – The Constitution and By-Laws committee has amended the Constitution. Two changes were necessary due to the change from two meetings per month to one meeting. They were presented to the membership and voted on at our December 2nd meeting, and passed unanimously.
Blue Star Family Support Group – Ron Davie – I again would like to thank all the members of the Post and Auxiliary who have supported the BSFSG by volunteering their time or donating items or financial donations. We shipped out 28 packages in October and another 30 boxes on December 5th. The BSFSG meets @ Post 471 on the last Tuesday of every month. We gave grown from 5 people at our first meeting on June 26th 2007 to 71 families at present which includes families of returned heroes who still come to our meetings to assist our newly deployed heroes’ families! God Bless Them! If you or your family, neighbor, co-worker or relative has someone currently serving in the military, please call (732-429-4248) or email rgdavie@gmail.com
COUNTY LEGION REPORT – Commander – Ron Davie – The assistance to Posts and members from the NEF was extended to November 30th, which helped those who sustained damage resulting from Hurricane Irene. We are going to get a Weekly E-Letter out to all Posts in January. This will link all Posts that are connected to the E-Letter:
A - To learn about successes that other Posts are having with membership, community events, veterans’ programs, Americanism contests, etc. etc.
B - To be able to Communicate and/or advertise with other Posts about Legion programs, upcoming events, and other successes.
C - It’s a win/win; effective communications among the county Posts will benefit the Posts and the County!
We will be holding Job Fairs geared to the automotive industry in the first quarter of 2012, one @ Post 471. I also attended a conference to combat discrimination of veterans in the workplace in Lawrenceville in November, where Attorney General Paula Dow pledged her support to fight for Veterans rights. These are newer Department programs that your County is very involved with! Department Commander Harold Liberatore made his official visit to Middlesex County on November 30th, and received a warm welcome from the County Officers and members of Post and Unit 471 especially.
UNIT 471 REPORT – President Ann Baraniak –
REMINDER – If you have not paid your 2011-2012 dues, please do so and send them in ASAP. If you have any questions concerning the Auxiliary, please call me (732-381-5820) and I will be happy to answer them. Thank you so much, and I hope to see you soon----Ann
BINGO DATES – Please join Post & Unit 471 members when we visit the Menlo Park Feb 09, 2012, Apr 12, 2012, and May 17, 2012.
SIGN UP WITH OUR VIRIDIAN FUNDRAISER FOR POST 471 Post 471 has signed up with Viridian Energy, and for every member who signs up and saves monthly on their electric bills, the Post gets $2.00!! Just think, Post 471 will save on our electric bills and help the environment with Viridian, and each member won’t have to pay any fee, sign any contract and help the environment by using 20% wind/solar!! Note: Any member, who has already enrolled, can switch to a fixed monthly rate plan if you wish. This plan is also available for new members when they sign up--- at no cost! Call: Ron Davie @ 732-429-4248 to sign up and help your Post---and the environment!!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
DECEMBER
17 Department Meeting – War Memorial Bldg. – Trenton – 8:30 AM
17 POST CHRISTMAS PARTY – 6-10 PM - $25 per person MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
26 Post/Unit Volunteers @ Menlo Vets Coffee Hour – 1:30 PM
27 Blue Star Family Support Group Meeting – 7:00 PM
JANUARY
01 HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!
05 Executive Board Meeting – 7:30 PM
06 Post/Unit Meetings – 8:00 PM
09 Post/Unit Volunteers @ Menlo Vets Coffee Hour – 1:30 PM
14 Cub Pack #148 Pinewood Derby – Post 471 – 8:30AM – 12:00 PM
19 Executive Board Meeting – 7:30 PM
23 Blue Star mailing @ Rutgers Prep – Meet @ Post @ 7:00 AM
23 Post/Unit Volunteers @ Menlo Vets Coffee Hour – 1:30 PM
25 Middlesex County Meeting – Post 87 Woodbridge – 8:00 PM
31 Blue Star Family Support Group Meeting – 7:00 PM
FEBRUARY
02 Executive Board Meeting – 7:30 PM
03 Post/Unit Meetings – 8:00 PM
05 God & Country Service – 2:00 PM Cathedral of the Air – Lakewood NJ
09 Post/Unit Volunteers @ Menlo Vets Bingo – 6:30 - 8:00 PM
11 Department Meeting – War Memorial Bldg. – Trenton – 8:00 AM-1:00 PM
13 Post/Unit Volunteers @ Menlo Vets Coffee Hour – 1:30 PM
14 Valentine’s Day – If you blow it, it is your fault!!!!
16 Post Executive Board Meeting – 7:30 PM
22 Middlesex County Meeting – Post 119 – Dunellen – 8:00 PM
25 Middlesex County Commander’s Dinner – East Brunswick Chateau
26 Cub Scout Pack #148 Blue and Gold Dinner – 1:00 – 5:00 PM
27 Post/Unit Volunteers @ Menlo Vets Coffee Hour – 1:30 PM
28 Blue Star Family Support Group Meeting – 7:00 PM
MARCH
01 Executive Board Meeting – 7:30 PM
02 Post/Unit Meetings – Initiation of New Members and Continuous Years
Awards Night – 8:00 PM
12 Post/Unit Volunteers @ Menlo Vets Coffee Hour – 1:30 PM
25 Executive Board meeting – 7:30 PM
26 Post/Unit Volunteers @ Menlo Vets Coffee Hour – 1:30 PM
27 Blue Star Family Support Group meeting – 7:00 PM
28 Middlesex County Meeting – Post 324 – Edison – 8:00 PM
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE LATELY TO SUPPORT YOUR POST 471????
