AMERICAN LEGION POST 18 AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT 18 PO Box 307, Portsmouth, RI 02871 Phone: 401.683.6148 www.americanlegionpost18ri.homestead.com WINNER OF POST EXCELLENCE AWARD News from the Post ~ Flying InFormation ~ MAY 2012 COMMANDER S BRIEFING Along with our Junior Vice and Adjutant, I had the privilege to witness our Junior Shooters in action on the range. While there, I learned about the team s new Orion Visual Image Scoring System (target scanning/scoring program). We thank Coach Michele Makucevich and Assistant Coaches Keith Muzzioli and Dan Nagelhout for their commitment. We recently voted to increase support to Little Rhody Boys State from $100 to $300 after learning that two Portsmouth High School students will participate this year. Director Ron Levasseur does a great job with the program (see PG 3). As baseball season gets underway, we hope you ll attend games and support our team (see PG 5). 2nd COUNTY POSTS 6 BRISTOL 7 NEWPORT 8 BARRINGTON 10 RIVERSIDE 11 WARREN 12 N. KINGSTOWN 15 E. GREENWICH 18 PORTSMOUTH 22 JAMESTOWN 36 BLOCK ISLAND 37 LITTLE COMPTON 39 S. KINGSTOWN 104 WARREN rjerdan@gmail.com CS1 Robert E. Jerdan, USN, Post 18 & 2nd County CDR OIL PAINTING FEATURING PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS TO BE RAFFLED TO RAISE FUNDS Award-winning local artist and Unit 18 member Paula Visnoski donated her time and talent to paint a 24 x 18 oil on linen canvas featuring the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR). The original painting is being framed courtesy of Arnold Art (www.arnoldart.com). Raffle tickets are $10. The winning ticket will be drawn on Saturday, 19 MAY 2012 by a Cub Scout from Pack 50. RI PGR leadership selected USA Battle Buddies as the recipient of the proceeds from the raffle. Note: The winner must agree to part with it temporarily while it is on exhibit. See Paula s watercolors on exhibit at the Newport Public Library the entire month of MAY 2012. Visit www.pmvart.com to see Paula s artwork and schedule of events. The NAVALOG, PATCH and various Facebook communities have helped promote this fundraiser. Send check payable to Legion Home, Inc. in the amount of $10 per ticket to PO Box 307, Portsmouth, RI 02871. Orders will be filled by mail through 10 MAY 2012 only, after which time you can purchase tickets in person until the drawing or until all 300 tickets are sold. E-mail ripost18legion@aol.com or download flyer at www.americanlegionpost18ri.homestead.com for more info.
ECHO TAPS WORLDWIDE RI VETERANS CEMETERY SATURDAY, 19 MAY 2012 @ NOON WELCOME ABOARD OUR NEW/ TRANSFERRING MEMBERS POST 18 RICHARD A. PERRY (USN) DALE B. WOOD (USN) UNIT 18 MICHELE MAKUCEVICH 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! ADJUTANT S REPORT We re making the final push for membership and preparing annual reports documenting our good deeds for 2011-2012. The DEPT OF RI Convention will be held the first weekend in June in Seekonk, MA. Banquet tickets, ceremonies, meetings and other details will be available soon. Efforts to mentor those with appropriate skill sets to assume leadership positions in Post & Unit 18 will be renewed. At left: Several members of Post 18 attended the RESTREPO movie screening with USA Battle Buddies CEO Steve Frye, SGT Brendan O Byrne and BRANDY on 17 FEB 2012. ripost18legion@aol.com Christine Hayward, Adjutant/Past CDR FLYING INFORMATION MAY 2012 PG 2 TREASURER S REPORT Science, Technology, Engineering and Math known by the acronym/ buzz word STEM is geared towards enabling students to compete in the world s competitive labor force. Sadly, only 25% of high school graduates qualify to enter the Armed Services, especially in these 4 disciplines! Serious efforts are needed to increase scores and interest more students in STEM programs. In partnership with Middletown High School, we propose donating $500 towards procurement of upgraded software to help move the Science and Art Labs into the digital age. Contributing to this cause is in keeping with our commitment to Community Service and to helping the next generation succeed. Other local non-profit organizations are also contributing. We hope you support this Motion at the upcoming meeting. geoedna@aol.com RMC George Wardwell, USNR (Ret.) Treasurer/Recent Past CDR Congratulations to Rachel Moyer (at right with DEPT OF RI CDR Erick Michaud), winner of DEPT OF RI s 2012 Oratorical Contest. Sr. Vice Cory Bates is the program Chair. A junior at S. Kingstown High School, Ms. Moyer hopes to study Neuroscience in college. She recently represented RI in The American Legion s 75th High School Oratorical Scholarship Program, a Constitutional Speech Contest, in Indianapolis. For details, visit www.legion.org/oratorical. It is with great pride that we announce that Junior Member Tiphanie Fuentes was accepted to be a member of the Class of 2016 at Harvard. She plans to major in Linguistics with a minor in Japanese. Congratulations! shannonrfuentes@gmail.com Shannon Fuentes, Unit 18 VP
Above: Junior shooters Danielle Makucevich (14), Rebecca Green (14), Libby Mostert (17) and Carolyn Cote (14) flank Post 18 CDR Robert Jerdan after a recent American Legion Postal Match. The 3-position air rifle competition was witnessed at the Newport Rifle Club range in Middletown on 20 MAR 2012 (team) and 27 MAR 2012 (individual). At left, shooter Garrett Magiera preps targets down range. Coach Michele Makucevich reports that several of our Junior Shooting Sports team members qualified to compete in the Men s and Women s National Junior Olympics Air Rifle Championships in Colorado Springs, CO. 2011-12 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, Sergeant-at-Arms Ken Williams, Chaplain 2011-12 UNIT 18 OFFICERS Edna Wardwell, President Shannon Fuentes, Vice President Christine Hayward, Secretary Veronica Roni Perry, Asst. Secretary Janet Gill, Treasurer Angela Vars, Chaplain 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 401.683.6148 to make arrangements. This award -winning newsletter has an initial distribution of 862 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 02840 or ripost18legion@aol.com. Proud member of the National American Legion Press Association. PAPER DOLL CONTEST BENEFITS LITTLE RHODY GIRLS STATE Unit 18 member Pat Dennett decorated two paper dolls including lace undergarments to help raise funds for Little Rhody Girls State. The Unit donated $150 to the cause. Units are to bring their paper dolls to the convention in June. Little Rhody Boys State and Girls State will be held 17-22 JUNE 2012 on the campus of Roger Williams University in Bristol. Post 18 recently donated $300 to Boys State. For more info, e-mail program chair/director Ron Levasseur at ron@riveterans.com. Members David and Christine Hayward donated 100 tree seedlings to Cub Scout Pack 50 for planting and further distribution in honor of Earth Day (22 APR 2012) and Arbor Day (27 APR 2012). The flowering Eastern Redbud and White Dogwood were selected for beauty and honey bee support. FLYING INFORMATION MAY 2012 PG 3
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 e-mail. It s free! Send your e-mail address to ripost18legion@aol.com. Membership not required. The Ocean State Tall Ships Festival will grace the Newport waterfront from 6-9 JUL 2012. The Continental Sloop PROVIDENCE (at left) is one of dozens of vessels participating in the Tall Ships Challenge Atlantic 2012 race and port events. For volunteer, sponsor and vendor opportunities, visit www.oceanstatetallships.com. For info on sail training and education under sail, visit www.sailtraining.org. Good luck with the nautical word find puzzle! SAILCLOTH UNFURL MONKEY FIST NAUTICAL WAVES TIDE DRAFT LINE ANCHOR CHAIN HELM WATCH SEXTANT DECK BUNKS PIN RAIL WORD LIST CROWS NEST PORT STARBOARD CREW GINGER ROOT HULL MIZZEN BOW STERN MAST CAPTAIN ORDER SCULLERY HORIZON QUARTERS PRISM BUOY D R A O B R A T S L B A S D R S M I Z Z E N I O U K E N A C Q W H C T A W R N C V F F U R U A M O T E D K I A S T L L E D G O X B E S N W A A L R B T S R E T R A U Q I G E P U V A R S U N F U R L N R M O N K E Y F I S T A C I Y E Y M N G O H L I C N L A H L A S S N P R D I T E O T J S W R A I L E T R N A T P T O G S N G R U O M L E H A R T O H C N A P N R E T S C H A I N S N O Z I R O H T Here are a just a few of the crowd-pleasing military contingents from the St. Patrick s Day Parade in Newport on 17 MAR 2012. FLYING INFORMATION MAY 2012 PG 4
ARTILLERY COMPANY OF NEWPORT TO HOST MAY MEETING OF POST & UNIT 18 I m proud to announce that a joint meeting of Post & Unit 18 will be held on 5 May 2012 at the Armory, Headquarters and Museum of the Artillery Company of Newport (ACN) followed by a tour. Members may bring a guest and/or prospective member. Parking can be a challenge; there is municipal parking nearby. Chartered in 1741, the ACN provides cannon salutes, color and honor guards for ceremonies and conducts living history. The Museum houses bronze cannons cast by Paul Revere in 1798; a letter from George Washington; Civil War artifacts; and a large collection of military uniforms/memorabilia. Cameras permitted; gift shop will be open. Learn more at www.newportartillery.org. Saturday, 5 May 2012 Doors Open: 8:45 AM Brief Collation: 9:50 AM 23 Clarke St., Newport, RI Meeting & Elections: 9:00 AM Tour: 10:00 AM Let justice prevail though the heavens may fall. LEGION BASEBALL Coach Ulmschneider and staff are identifying potential players for our team. Games start in early June. For schedule and stats, select the baseball tab on our web site. On 7 APR 2012, Post & Unit 18 handed out 60 ditty bags during the Easter/Spring Themed BINGO at the RI Veterans Home (RIVH). The bags included a postcard featuring the RIVH day room mural (above) by Drew Simenson of the RI School of Design. In granting permission to use the image, the artist was deeply honored for it to bring joy to our veterans. Therapy dog SUGAR (left), Post 18 s Norman Patenaude (right) and others donned bunny ears while we helped vets play their cards and award prizes. A Co 2/19 Special Forces Group conducted "K- Duck" training with members of the 160th SOAR (Special Operations Aviation Regiment). Military, police, fire and other emergency teams participated in Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield 2012 a major, nationwide anti-terrorism exercise simulating realistic threats. Photos: SGM R. Burmeister, RI Army National Guard. POST EVERLASTING Post 18 member CAPT DAVID F. TERRY, USN (Ret.) joined Post Everlasting on 27 FEB 2012. During his service, his ship participated in the blockade of Cuba in 1962 and he served a year in country in Vietnam. We pray that his family, friends and Scouts are comforted by fond memories. FLYING INFORMATION MAY 2012 PG 5
2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND JOIN US! SATURDAY, 5 MAY 2012 @ 9 AM Joint meeting of Post & Unit 18 at the ARTILLERY COMPANY OF NEWPORT (see PG 5). Meeting/election of officers will be followed by collation and tour of the Museum. REFLAGGING IN PREPARATION FOR MEMORIAL DAY STUDENTS/SCOUTS NEEDED SATURDAY, 19 MAY 2012 @ 8 AM Volunteers should muster at St. Mary s Cemetery, East Main Road in Portsmouth. When done, we will caravan to Trinity Cemetery. When done, some will caravan to Portsmouth Burial Ground and some will flag outlying cemeteries and Town monuments/memorials. Others will leave to participate in ECHO TAPS WORLDWIDE (see PG 2). SUNDAY, 20 MAY 2012 @ 9 AM Volunteers should muster at the cemetery on Van Zandt Avenue in Newport. When done, we will move to Braman Cemetery on the railroad track side of Farewell Street. This is an assist for Post 7-Newport. MONDAY, 21 MAY 2012 @ 5:45 PM Volunteers will muster at the historic cemetery at Fort Adams. This location is traditionally flagged at sundown. THURSDAY, 14 JUN 2012 FLAG DAY/FLAG EDUCATION PROGRAM at Melville Elementary School sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 18 THURSDAY, 14 JUN 2012 FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY in Warren SATURDAY, 11 AUG 2012 BLOOD DRIVE/BOOK SIGNING co-sponsored by 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. For more info and updates, please visit: www.americanlegionpost18ri.homestead.com where you can download this and archived issues of our award-winning newsletter. NEWS FROM UNIT 18 Happy spring! Thanks to the mild winter, the tulips are blossoming and the grass is already green. Members had a rewarding time hosting the Easter/Spring themed BINGO at the RI Veterans Home (see PG 5). We hope to get the new brochure/membership application specific to our Unit placed at Naval Station Newport to educate military spouses/families about Unit 18. As current or former military family members, we are in a unique position to help young military families adjust when relocating, etc. We re very proud of our granddaughter Tiphanie Fuentes (see PG 2). Teacher and Unit 18 Member Tracey Bolton has been instrumental in getting tattered classroom flags replaced at Tiverton Middle School. Let s have a good showing at the annual reflagging efforts (details above). PH: 401.619.3899 nenaroo@aol.com Edna Wardwell, President NEWPORT COUNTY MENTOR CO-OP PROGRAM VISITS NAVAL STATION NEWPORT On 28 MAR 2012, students attended a briefing at the Naval War College (NWC) to learn what the College does for active forces and the degree opportunities available to those in the military. The group then travelled to Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) and Officer Candidate School (OCS). Afterwards, CAPT Neil Parrott, USN (3rd from left; kneeling), CO of the Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS), hosted a tour of the shipboard simulator. Post 18 s George Wardwell participated. Middletown Town Councilor Chris Semonelli spearheads the mentor co-op program to introduce students to career paths/employment opportunities. FLYING INFORMATION MAY 2012 PG 6