WINNER OF POST EXCELLENCE AWARD

Transcription

1 AMERICAN LEGION POST 18 AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT 18 PO Box 307, Portsmouth, RI Phone: WINNER OF POST EXCELLENCE AWARD News from the Post ~ Flying InFormation ~ JUN/JUL 2012 COMMANDER S BRIEFING I d like to thank the members of the Post for a productive year and for the continued confidence in my leadership. The DEPT OF RI Convention was well-attended with Past National Commanders and other interesting speakers, especially the very animated former Mayor of Providence, Buddy Cianci. Congratulations to Mike Reed who succeeds me as the new 2nd County Commander. We wrote to elected officials in support of a new veterans home, and we re pleased to see the bond initiative will be on the ballot in the fall. Some of you know that I am in receipt of orders and will transfer to my new duty station a VFA Squadron of F18 s in California in January. It sure was fun getting behind the wheel of that WWII era Jeep at the museum. Keep up the great work, comrades. You make me proud! rjerdan@gmail.com CS1 Robert E. Jerdan, USN, Commander Post 18 Treasurer George Wardwell presented a donation to the Artillery Company of Newport XO and Post 18 member Mike Pine (left) and Museum Curator SGT Ronald Jones (right). Members and guests toured the armory, headquarters and museum. At left, CHARLIE ZINO of USA Battle Buddies fame modeled a WWII-era military working dog flak vest recently found in the collection. BLOOD DRIVE & BOOK SIGNING SATURDAY, 11 AUG AM 2 PM Co-sponsored by AL Post 18, ALA Unit 18 & VFW Post 5390 at VFW Hall, 822 Anthony Rd., Portsmouth. RI Blood Center will be collecting blood and author Frank Grzyb will be on hand to sell and autograph copies of his book. Please support this event!

2 ADJUTANT S REPORT We ve been so busy! Several members attended the Ocean State Harley-Davidson Freedom Fest on 12 MAY At left, Post 18 member Arthur Raposo and below, Popeye, Wolfy and Fly Boy. It was a great family-friendly event, and the owner of OSH-D even bought a raffle ticket. I was proud to see items from my grandfather (Frank The Old One Pine) on display at the Artillery Company of Newport. Entertaining outof-town guests? The museum on Clarke Street in Newport is a great alternative to touring the local mansions. Congratulations to Post 18 Commander Robert Jerdan on being named Senior Sailor of the Quarter at Naval Station Newport! ripost18legion@aol.com Christine Hayward Adjutant/Past CDR On 9 JUN 2012, 3 members of Post & Unit 18 who are also members of the RI Patriot Guard Riders participated in a Flag Line at the RI Veterans Home where the Elks sponsored a Flag Day Ceremony. Scouts displayed flags from various eras and presented a new US Flag for the outdoor flagpole. In honor of the PGR, a print on canvas of the painting by artist and Unit 18 member Paula Visnoski was presented to General Baccus, RIVH Administrator, to be on permanent display. TREASURER S REPORT The Post has been very generous (awarding two scholarships, donating to C & Y, CWF, etc.). Above, I recently presented our $500 donation to Middletown High School s Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) program. Our coffers must be replenished so we can continue our mission. As fans of the pay it forward phenomenon, we re confident that by supporting our Community, State and Nation, we will be recipients of generosity. Have fundraising ideas? I m open to suggestions! geoedna@aol.com RMC George Wardwell, USNR (Ret.) Treasurer/Past CDR WELCOME ABOARD OUR NEW/ TRANSFERRING MEMBERS POST 18 HMCM EILEEN BEATTY, USN (Ret.) DAVID CROW Do you know someone eligible for membership? Let us know so we can get them on board! Prompt renewal helps minimize the expense of reminders. Those funds can be put to better use supporting veterans, our troops and military families! FLYING INFORMATION JUN/JUL 2012 PG 2 Unit 18 Junior Tiphanie Fuentes was featured in the 7 JUN 2012 issue of NEWPORT THIS WEEK! As the 2012 valedictorian of Rogers High School, she will address her classmates at graduation. Tiphanie was accepted to Harvard (Class of 2016) where she ll study computer science and linguistics with an emphasis in Japanese. Dream big, Tiphanie! shannonrfuentes@gmail.com Shannon Fuentes, Secretary

3 Members of Posts 7 and 18, Unit 18, VFW Posts 406 & 5390, local Navy and Coast Guard personnel, Scouts, Brownies and other patriotic citizens flagged graves on 19 May (Portsmouth), 20 May (Newport) and 21 May (Ft. Adams). Town monuments and other outlying areas were also flagged. We thank the Portsmouth Garden Club for tending to the flowers at the SGT Donald Sisson Memorial at Portsmouth High School POST 18 OFFICERS CS1 Robert E. Jerdan, USN, Commander Vincent C. D Andrea, Sr. Vice Commander David B. Hayward, Jr. Vice Commander Christine Hayward, Adjutant/Webmistress RMC George Wardwell, USNR (Ret.), Treasurer Walter Alves, Sgt.-at-Arms CS1 Ed Agosto, USN, Asst. Sgt.-at-Arms Ken Williams, Chaplain UNIT 18 OFFICERS Christine Hayward, President Veronica Roni Perry, Vice President Shannon Fuentes, Secretary Janet Gill, Treasurer Angela Vars, Chaplain Edna Wardwell, Immediate Past President NOTE: This newsletter is printed in a larger format for those with vision challenges. Please make an effort to speak up at meetings and events for those who are suffering hearing loss due to age or lack of hearing conservation during their service. Any member needing a ride to Post or Unit 18 meetings/events can call to make arrangements. This award -winning newsletter has an initial distribution of 864 copies per issue with countless pass-along readership and a web presence. We welcome submission of photos, articles and calendar items from members, other Posts and Units, the Department and veteranfriendly organizations for consideration. Contact: Editor C. Hayward, 143 Evarts St. # 2L, Newport, RI or ripost18legion@aol.com. Proud member of the National American Legion Press Association. SHOOTERS HIT MARK ON & OFF RANGE While our Junior Shooting Sports team was in Colorado Springs for the National Junior Olympic Rifle Championships, Wounded Warriors were also there for a 2 week training camp in preparation for the Warrior Games. Coach Michele Makucevich and shooter Dani Makucevich spent afternoons assisting with the training while the rest of the team went sightseeing. Above, Dani loads for injured Marine Angel who proceeded to shoot his personal best (398/400). Said Coach (and Unit 18 member) Makucevich: Sometimes what is learned on these trips is far more important than the scores fired. Five members of Post & Unit 18 attended the team s fundraiser hosted by the Junior Shooters on 24 MAY VFW Post 406-Newport hosted a Memorial Day Ceremony at Storer Park. Flowers were strewn into the water to represent those lost at sea. Left to right: AL Post 18 Sgt.-at-Arms Walter Alves, VFW Post 406 QM Frank Ingersoll and VFW Post 406 CDR John Duchesneau. FLYING INFORMATION JUN/JUL 2012 PG 3

4 On 19 MAY 2012 (Armed Forces Day), members of Post & Unit 18 participated in ECHO TAPS at the RI Veterans Cemetery. Michael Jackson, Master of Ceremonies, graciously allowed us to announce the winner of the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) painting and present a mock check to USA Battle Buddies. We also donated a basket of Beanie Babies to Operation Military Kids for inclusion in Hero Packs. The PGR Flag Line (including many area motorcyclists), Korean War Veterans of America, RI Military Funeral Honors, RI Sea Cadets, Scouts and others looked sharp. Bugle players, including Steve Skuba of Post 104-Warren (at far right below) and Ed & Leslie Kurtz of Post 22-Jamestown (in blue and red shirts below) played TAPS in the round. Check out Echo Taps 2012 Rhode Island on Facebook! Ride 2 Recovery organizes cycling events to support veterans recovering from physical and mental wounds suffered in combat. The New England Challenge course will pass through RI. DEPT of RI Legion Posts, Auxiliary Units and area businesses have been asked to sponsor dinner for the participants on Monday, 10 SEP Sponsors ($200 for table of 10) have the privilege of submitting a photo/message to be displayed at the table. Post & Unit 18 have pledged support. Details forthcoming. On Friday, 12 OCT 2012, Sons of the American Legion (SAL) will sponsor a COMEDY NIGHT & POT ROAST Post 43 in Warwick. For tickets and more info, contact Detachment CDR Mel Higgins, Jr. at or On 12 MAY 2012, Gold Star families attended the dedication of the Global War on Terror monument at Post 2. The PGR provided a Flag Line. Post 18 members C. Kindell, A. Raposo and D. & C. Hayward attended. Be green and save Post 18 the cost of production and mailing! Get your newsletter in full color in an easy -to-share PDF format. Subscribe to receive Flying InFormation via . It s free! Send your address to ripost18legion@aol.com. Membership not required. FLYING INFORMATION JUN/JUL 2012 PG 4

5 AND THE WINNER IS CPO Andrea (Andie) Coutoulakis was honored during a reception after the formal pinning ceremony at Peley s 19th Hole in Quonset Point. Approximately 75 of her family, friends and shipmates looked on. At left, RMC George Wardwell, USNR (Ret.) and CWO4 David Kerwood, Commanding Officer of NCBC Battalion of the Naval Sea Cadet Corps flank CPO Andrea Coutoulakis. Once she concludes her training at the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in Newport, she will head to Annapolis. Congratulations on your promotion, Chief Coutoulakis! To keep the raffle fair and square, we called upon Scouts to draw the winning ticket on 19 MAY Cub Scout Drake Suplido (Pack 50) and Boy Scout Thomas Coite (Troop 82) participated in the drawing and also helped us reflag graves. Vinny D Andrea who bought 10 tickets was the lucky winner. The oil painting on linen canvas featuring the Patriot Guard Riders by artist and Unit 18 member Paula Visnoski raised $2,065 for USA Battle Buddies. Didn t win the raffle, but loved the painting? Visit where you can order a print on cotton canvas in 3 sizes. Thank you to those who supported this fundraiser, especially the RI PGR. Little Rhody Boys State Chair Ron Levasseur, RI Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Detachment Commander Mel Higgins and ALT NEC Man David Golde stopped in to visit the DEPT OF RI AUXILIARY during the recent Convention. Congratulations to new DEPT OF RI Commander Cory Bates and DEPT OF RI AUXILIARY President Dianne Winston. We applaud outgoing Commander Erick Michaud and President Lorraine Boucher for the many accomplishments during their tenure. Members of Post & Unit 18, other RI Legionnaires, reps from other VSOs and hundreds of patriotic citizens from New England attended the WOONSOCKET WAR MEMORIAL RALLY hosted by MAJ GEN Reginald Centracchio on 2 MAY Post & Unit 18 gave out 100 pocket angels to Fire Dept. personnel and others attending the rally to save the WWI and WWII monument. (CROWD PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL CLEMENT) FLYING INFORMATION JUN/JUL 2012 PG 5

6 Local author Walter K. Schroder happened to be at the Artillery Company of Newport during our tour on 5 MAY He spoke to our group and graciously autographed copies of his book Stars and Swastikas: The Boy Who Wore Two Uniforms about his dual role during WWII CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND JOIN US! JUN 2012 LITTLE RHODY BOYS STATE/GIRLS Roger Williams University TUESDAY, 26 JUN 6 PM 33rd ANNUAL ARMED SERVICES MCCOY STADIUM. Post 18 (and hopefully many other RI Veterans Service Organizations!) will march out on to the field during pre-game ceremonies honoring the military. Afterwards, we ll stay and watch the PawSox take on the Knights. Please Cyndie Kindell at cyndieck@msn.com if you are interested in participating. WEDNESDAY, 4 JUL 2012 INDEPENDENCE DAY Post & Unit 18 will be dark (no meeting) in July. WEDNESDAY, 1 AUG 7 PM Regular meeting of American Legion Post 18 at VFW Post 5390, 822 Anthony Rd., Common Fence Point, Portsmouth. SATURDAY, 11 AUG 2012 FROM 10 AM TO 2 PM BLOOD DRIVE/BOOK SIGNING (see PG 1) SATURDAY, 11 AUG 2012 USA BATTLE BUDDIES 2ND ANNUAL Colt State Park. Cook-out at noon; bouncy house for the kids. Visit for details. For more info and updates, please visit: where you can download this and archived issues of our award-winning newsletter. SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED On 4 JUN 2012, Dual Post & Unit 18 member Janet Gill and Unit 18 member Lisa LaFleur had the pleasure of presenting two $1,000 scholarships from Post 18 to Portsmouth High School Seniors Kaitlyn Hawley and Emma LaFleur. Kaitlyn is a military dependent and will major in History at Elmira College. Emma will major in History and Secondary Education at Rhode Island College. Both young ladies were recognized by PHS faculty as two of the top 10 Class of 2012 students. FLYING INFORMATION JUN/JUL 2012 PG 6 NEWS FROM UNIT 18 When Girl Scout leader Angel Andrews posed a Flag question, I consulted the Legion s Let s Be Right on Flag Etiquette booklet and gave same to the Troop. They were grateful for the resource which will help them earn their Flag Patch. Unit 18 donated 360 hand held flags with safety ball tip to Melville Elementary School for their Flag Day program. We ll consider adding more Portsmouth schools next year. At Convention, we committed to sponsoring dinner for 10 Ride 2 Recovery participants (see PG 4). I had to share this picture of CHARLIE ZINO sporting his Kevlar boots at Freedom Fest! PH: ripost18legion@aol.com Christine Hayward, President