AMERICAN LEGION POST #1 1281 N. US HWY 1 TITUSVILLE, FL 32796 321-269-9959 May 2013 www.titusvillealpost1.org COMMANDERS REPORT We hope everyone had a good April, it sure went by fast. It is time to vote for new officers of the post, and I hope everyone comes out to vote for their choice on the 11th of May. I would to thank everyone that came out in support of Commanders Gunner's Homecoming. The color guard did an excellent job of posting the colors and retrieving them-- Thank you again ladies. The food was very good and the music was also very good. Don't forget awards day on the 11th of May before the voting begins, it will be a long day but worth the time. I am in Pa as I am writing this and it is very cold, cannot think of a time when we come here that we don't have weird weather. The cannon should be in place when I get back and hopefully the new sign we be in operation. Enjoy Spring coming and remember we have Memorial Day Events and Everlasting Ceremony. For God and Country. Commander Ed Spence NEWS FROM YOUR ADJUTANT Well we are making our 100% membership for the 2013 year. Thank you to everyone that paid your membership it s great to get it 2 years in a row. Again as May comes on us we get busy with the end of year events and Memorial Day, which will be at Veterans Park at 10 am with the Ceremony for Veterans Ceremony at 9am on Day Street. My husband and I were lucky enough to ride with the Legion Riders for the escorting the Wall, what a great pleasure to see all the support for our veterans. Thank you to all who participated, your devotion & spirit to this special event. Let s all remember to get out and vote for next commander & finance officer along with attending awards ceremony. Have a good May. For God and Country, Jo Anderson, Adjutant ELECTIONS FOR LEGIONNAIRES COMMANDER & FINANCE OFFICER WILL BE HELD MAY 11 TH FROM 11AM-3PM
NEWS FROM THE S.A.L REMEMBER YOUR VOTE IS WHAT COUNTS AND WHAT WORKS FOR YOUR AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY S Hi All: Remember this article? It s that time of year again, Election of Officers. We will have our 1 st round of nominations at our March 4 th meeting, please try to attend and get involved. Out of 70 members we have five trying to keep the SAL going and it s getting old. If the SAL disbands there will no longer be a Squadron 1. (FYI we have a Lady s Auxiliary member taking our notes if that tells you anything.) So again get involved, it s only an hour a month. (12 hours a year) Well our 1 st and 2 nd round of nominations has past and again it was the same members that attended, in fact we only had 5 members at our 2 nd round of nominations. This is no longer acceptable. The few that are involved are burnt out and we re not going to do it anymore. Therefore we will be discussing disbanding the SAL at our next meeting on Monday 5/6/2013. If any members are concerned about the SAL besides the few of us, attend the meeting and step up. Our meetings are on the 1 st Monday of the month at 7:00pm. We need your support!!! For God and Country, Rob Lessard, S.A.L. Commander ALR NEWS Second round of nominations resulted in the nomination of un-opposed candidates at the April Meeting. I presented the results to the Post Executive board for acceptance and they were ratified per the email I sent out earlier. The new officers will take their positions in June. The Department Commanders homecoming was a huge success, everyone who attended said that Post 1 and all of the associated components did an excellent job and we should be proud of all the volunteers that worked so hard in putting it together. There is an Awards ceremony coming up on the 11th of May and it is also Election Day for the Post so I encourage all the members to get out and vote. If you have been out to the Pavilion you will notice the parking pad is completed. I got help from the Post and the SAL and we got the job done. The BBQ Grill raffle will hopefully pay our portion and then leave some extra monies for a project we will discuss at the next meeting. If you were at the last meeting you know the SAL is considering shutting down due to lack of participation by their members and this could have disastrous effects to the Riders. We could loose all of our SAL members if that happens. So SAL members please go to your meetings. I encourage ALL the Riders to go to their respective meetings. The more we go to our General meetings the more we can accomplish. We could actually outnumber the non-rider members! On a personal note, I will be leaving for Washington DC to represent us at Rolling Thunder on the 21st of May so Bill Moore will be in charge of the Chapter until the New Officers are Installed as I will not be back until the 24th of June. Ride Smart, Ride Hard, Ride Happy, Sam Samoncik, Chapter 1 ALR Director LEGION RIDERS BIKE DAY----SATURDAY MAY 11 TH
IN PAVILION---2-6 PM DINNER & MUSIC PLUS FUN BY ALL ~ May 2013 ~ Jun 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 3 Lunch 11-2 2 Lunch 11-3 4 MEAT SHOOT 1pm --?? AUXILIARY E-BOARD MTG 7:00 PM DANCE 7PM PIZZA 5-7 PM DINNER MENU 5:00-8:00 RIDERS MEETING 10 AM IN PAVILION KARAOKE WITH GREG 6 9 PM MUSIC BY YESTER YEAR 7PM 5 SAL BREAKFAST 8-11 BINGO 1 PM---? 6 S.A.L MEETING 7:00 PM 7 Lunch 11-3 BINGO 6PM 8 AUXILIARY GEN MTG 7:00 PM KARAOKE WITH GREG 6 9 PM 9 Lunch 11-3 DANCE 7PM PIZZA 5-7 PM 10 Lunch 11-2 DINNER MENU 5:00-8:00 MUSIC BY DAVE 7PM KARAOKE WITH GREG 7PM 11 AWARDS CEREMONY 9 AM LEGIONNAIRES ELECTION 11-3 PM RIDERS BIKE DAY 2-6PM ALONG WITH MUSIC KARAOKE BY SANDY & BUCK 7PM
~ May 2013 ~ Jun 2013 12 SAL BREAKFAST 8-11 BINGO 1 PM---? Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 13 14 15 16 17 Lunch Lunch 11-2 LEGIONNAIRE E-BOARD MTG 7PM 11-3 BINGO 6PM KARAOKE WITH GREG 6 9 PM DANCE 7PM PIZZA 5-7 PM DINNER MENU 5:00-8:00 18 CONSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCE 10 AM POST 22 & POST 163 MEAT SHOOT 1pm --?? MUSIC BY GUITAR DAN 7PM 19 SAL BREAKFAST 8-11 BINGO 1 PM---? 20 LEGIONNAIRE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MTG 7PM 21 Lunch 11-3 BINGO 6PM 22 KARAOKE WITH GREG 6 9 PM 23 DANCE 7PM PIZZA 5-7 PM 24 Lunch 11-2 DINNER MENU 5:00-8:00 KARAOKE WITH GREG 7PM 25 KARAOKE BY SANDY & BUCK 7PM 26 SAL BREAKFAST 8-11 BINGO 1 PM---? 27 HONOR/COLOR GUARD VETERANS CEMETERY 9AM MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY VETERANS PARK 10 AM 28 Lunch 11-3 BINGO 6PM 29 KARAOKE WITH GREG 6 9 PM 30 Lunch 11-3 DANCE 7PM PIZZA 5-7 PM MUSIC BY BILL SIDES 7PM 31 Lunch 11-2 DINNER MENU 5:00-8:00 MUSIC BY VICKY & DAVE 7PM Notes: EVERLASTING AFTER AT POST WITH LUNCHEON
LUNCH MENU Apr 2013 ~ May 2013 ~ Jun 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 WINGS DAY 2 ITALIAN 3 SEA FOOD 4 LUNCH 11-3 AND NIGHTS STROMBOLI S CALZONE S SPECIALS SEE FLYER 5 SAL BREAKFAST 8-11 AM SAL LUNCH 12 SAL BREAKFAST 8-11 AM SAL LUNCH 6 6 MEATBALL SUBS 13 MEATLOAF DINNER OR SANDWICH 7 LIVER OR CHICKENS WITH THE SIDES 14 LIVER OR CHICKENS WITH THE SIDES 8 WINGS DAY AND NIGHTS 15 WINGS DAY AND NIGHTS PIZZA S 9 ITALIAN STROMBOLI S CALZONE S PIZZA S 16 ITALIAN STROMBOLI S CALZONE S 10 SEA FOOD SPECIALS 17 SEA FOOD SPECIALS 11 AWARDS CEREMONY BRUNCH ABOUT 11 AM RIDERS BIKE DAY WITH FOOD 2-6 PM 18 LUNCH 11-3 SEE FLYER 19 SAL BREAKFAST 8-11 AM SAL LUNCH 20 FRENCH ONION DIP 21 LIVER OR CHICKENS WITH THE SIDES 22 WINGS DAY AND NIGHTS PIZZA S 23 ITALIAN STROMBOLI S CALZONE S 24 SEA FOOD SPECIALS 25 NO LUNCH AVAILABLE PIZZA S
Apr 2013 ~ May 2013 ~ Jun 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 26 27 28 29 30 31 Notes: SAL MEMORIAL DAY LIVER OR WINGS DAY ITALIAN SEA FOOD BREAKFAST LUNCHEON CHICKENS SPECIALS 8-11 AM AFTER AND NIGHTS STROMBOLI S WITH THE EVERLASTING SAL LUNCH CEREMONY SIDES ABOUT 1:00 PM CALZONE S PIZZA S NEWS FROM THE KITCHEN: We are having specials each Monday this month to see how they go over and the when the 50 th lunch is ordered on Mondays-- 1 person on that ticket will get a free lunch of choice for that day and your name will go in the following months bulletin. Also we will be having Italian Specials on Thursday along with Pizza s & Stromboli s be on the look out for different specials of Spaghetti & Meatballs, Stuffed Shells, Lasagna, or Chicken Parmesan. We also need volunteers to make desserts for Monday May 27 th Memorial Day Luncheon. Thank you so much for enjoying lunches with the American Legion Post #1. Rudy the Cook Honor Guard News The month of April was a busy one for us. Honor Guard services were held for Sheldon (Bud) Silva on March 26, 2013. Also services were held for Richard Theopel and Charles F. Emerick Sr., a Korean War veteran. We do these services proudly and to show respect and appreciation for what these men did for us and our country. We also show respect to the families, because they too have suffered and made sacrifices for our freedom. The Brevard Honor Guard volunteer proudly for no reward, for it is the men and women who served that made this country what it is, and they deserve all the reward. It is privilege to honor our veterans. For those who belong to the North Brevard Honor Guard, our dinner is May 25, 2013 at the VFW 4228, with a social hour at 4:00 p.m. dinner will be served at 5:00 p.m. As a reminder, our May meeting has been cancelled due to the many activities going on in May. In closing I would like to say once again, we need help on the Honor Guard. If anyone is interested please contact David Galloway or Clyde Plummer. Honoring Our Veterans, David Galloway
AUXILIARY NEWS PRESIDENTS MESSAGE As our elections are near, I ask that more members participate in the Unit. If you don't want to hold an office there are many other ways you can support the Unit and its obligations. We are also in need of chairman for our committees and school liaisons. We also need help clipping and sorting the coupons that are sent to bases overseas. Help is needed at the weekly dances. The Units election will be held on Wednesday May 8th @ 7 pm at our General Membership meeting, please be sure to bring your membership card, as these will be requested. The Nominating Committee has recommended the following members for the officers of 2013/2014. President -- Cathie McMullian 1 st Vice-- Donna Shearer 2nd Vice -- OPEN Treasurer OPEN Chaplain -- Shari Helmer Asst. Chaplain -- Carrie Fuller Sgt. @ Arms -- Sue Lessard Asst. Sgt. -- Deanna Freidlund Historian -- OPEN Secretary -- appointed 3 Exeutive Committeemen-------------------- Nita Sears Judy Silvaroli Susan Depford As you can tell there are still openings. So, please think about holding an office. The year end reports have been filed. All obligations and donations are paid. For those who filed their reports and turned in their service hours the Unit thanks you for your service and support. Yours in Service, Carol White Unit President AUXILIARY DATES TO BE AWARE OF: SUNDAY MAY 5th WEDNESDAY MAY 8th SATURDAY MAY 18th FRIDAY MAY 24th SATURDAY MAY 25th MONDAY MAY 27th GIRLS STATE ORIENTATION POST 163 1pm UNIT ELECTIONS @ 7pm CONSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCE POST 163 9am POPPY DISTRIBUTION POPPY DISTRIBUTION MEMORIAL DAY & POPPY DISTRIBUTION AT VETERANS PARK SATURDAY LUNCHES 11 to 3 ARE NOW BEING SERVED ONLY THE 1st & 3rd SATURDAYS DURING THE MEAT SHOOTS. MENUS WILL BE CHEF'S CHOICE. DINE IN OR TAKE OUT AVAILABLE. CONGRATULATIONS TO SALLY SCHOFIELD, LUCKY WINNER OF THE LOTTERY PINWHEEL CONTAINING 6 $25 SCRATCH OFFS ON APRIL 20. AND THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PURCHASED RAFFLE TICKETS TO SUPPORT THE POST. POPPY DISTRIBUTION The Unit will be distributing Poppy's on Friday May 24th at the Publix on Knox
McRae and Garden Street. On Saturday May 25th we will be at the Winn/Dixie on Singleton. Also at Veterans Parks on Monday May 27th. Sign up sheets will be available May 1st in the Social Quarters. Please, remember that these funds are used for the direct aid of a Veteran. We use this money for the monthly visits to all 4 local nursing/re-habs in our area. Auxiliary Membership Report
Titusville Unit 1 has reached 100% renewals for the year. Great Job! We achieved this with the help of many new members and we still have about 20 long time members who have not renewed that are now long overdue and have lost the privileges of "Members In Good Standing". If you're one of the last ones holding out, please send your renewal in, or drop it off at the Post 1 bar. I'll get your renewal card out quickly and you will again be considered "A member In Good Standing", with all the benefits of membership. Remember, that we are always collecting soda can tabs; box tops for Education, soup can labels, Kook Aid Jammer labels for our schools. Our membership renewal drive for 2014 will start after the June Convention. We can still accept paid up transfers from other Units, but new members should wait until September if they wish to avoid paying now and then needing to renew for 2014 in September. Donna Shearer, Unit #1 Membership MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES MONDAY MAY 27 TH, 2013 VETERANS CEMETERY 9:00 AM AT DAY STREET MEMORIAL VETERANS PARK 10:00 AM EVERLASTING CEREMONY AT POST #1 AFTER CEREMONY IN PARK WITH LUNCHEON TO FOLLOW DESSERTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE LUNCHEON Post #1 Golf League News As our golf league comes to another season closed, we bid our northern friends farewell for the summer. Looking forward to seeing you in the fall, have a safe trip home. Our February Golf Tournament best three of four rounds was won by Royce MacDormand in the A flight, the B flight was taken by Andy Lawrence. Harry Flynn with his Hole in One on #2 was happy to take the pot for $53.00 We had a great banquet hosted by American Legion Post #1, Dolly our chef prepared a great meal that was served by Cindy and our bartender Crystal did an outstanding job along with Gill helping. Thank to all of them. I understand that Willow Lakes will be closed June, July and August, we will continue to golf until they close. We will be kicking our league off starting September 6 th for the 2014 season. See you in September and have a fun summer. Ray Parker, League Secretary YEARLY APPRECIATION & THANK YOU AWARDS CEREMONY SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2013 9:00 AM IN MEETING HALL BRUNCH WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER CEREMONY
VIETNAM TRAVELING MEMORIAL WALL LAYING OF THE WREATHS BINGO NEWS Bingo callers are needed for the summer. Most of our regular callers are snowbirds but bingo is stronger than ever. Please dedicate one Sunday afternoon or Tuesday evening a month. Contact Cathie McMullin, Bingo Chairman at 610-715-2237. Veteran Views On Dec. 16, 1944, Melvin Diemer was stationed in Bastogne, Belgium. After 66 years his date may not jog a memory in most people, but it was the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. The battle marked the Germans last intensive push toward France in WWII. The offensive lasted until Jan. 28, 1945. According to History Learning s website, the U.S. Army suffered more than 100,000 casualties. A 21-year-old draftee from Perrysburg, Ohio, Diemer had arrived in France as a medic in the 90th Regiment. He survived D- Day, only to find himself just behind the frontlines during the intensive month-long fight for control. We were so close to the lines, sometimes we were ahead of the Germans, he said with a laugh. 60 Diemer recalls the weather being a deadlier enemy than the Germans. It was 10 to 14 below zero. Infantry soldiers were losing their feet to frostbite. Their feet would turn black, Diemer said. It was so cold that the men would have to pee on their M-1 rifles in the morning to warm them up enough to fire them. After the first shot, Diemer said, they were fine. Her recalled if a man died with his arms spread eagle they would have to bring him inside to thaw him out enough to lower his arms. We lost more over the weather than what we did the Germans, Diemer said. The artillery unit he was stationed with had 45 men. It took a team of 10 men to fire the large guns. The shells were the size of milk bottles, and they were using white phosphorus in the shells. The idea, explained Diemer, was to fire it over the German troops as they were marching. The chemical burns the skin and will keep burning as long as it is exposed to air.
The Germans were using Tiger Tanks. Diemer said they were so large and heavily armored that the US shells would bounce off them like ping-pong balls. Every now and then the Germans would lob a couple of rounds in their direction. Fortunately the shells never landed on the medic station. He said they would set up in vacant houses whenever possible. They had one ambulance; they were the first triage station the wounded were taken to. Diemer said they averaged about two wounded a day, although he could recall a day when they had five. We just patched them up and sent them back if we could, Diemer said. Food was frequently scarce. Usually they had K rations that came in a box. They consisted of two cans: one with biscuits, and the other with eggs and ham in it. Sometimes they would use the camp kitchen, but generally they didn't have a lot to cook. If you had an egg over there it was priceless; you had the world in your hands, Diemer recalled. Diemer was awarded two Purple Hearts and three Bronze Stars for his service in WWII. Every other man who served in his medic unit has since passed away. War is a hell of thing. When you see your buddy lying there with their guts hanging out, it's hard to take. You never will forget him. You don't make friends over there because they don't last too long. You got a friend and the next day he is gone; it's hard to take. I was lucky, Diemer said. He made it home and was a successful carpenter in the Fort Wayne area, where he raised his four children, two sons and two daughters. For the past few year he has lived at Coventry Meadows Jim Harnish, DAV and Legion Post # 1 Service Officer "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." - George Washington