Monthly Newsletter - September/October, 2010

Commander's Notes by Johnny Gibbons:  In our last newsletter the JULY VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH

AWARD went to all of the folks who worked Bingo. The AUGUST AWARD goes to all of the Post members who renewed early. Over 1,000 members will have received their 2011 membership card as this newsletter goes to print. Thank you. The SEPTEMBER AWARD goes to the volunteers who processed all of those renewals. Under the supervision of Bob Johnson the team consisted of Bob Kiley, Mike Schwartz, Bill Walsh, Mike Maher, Mike Seidel, Lon Hertel, Wayne Stickles, Jim Dyser and Beverly Carr. The OCTOBER AWARD goes to our Honor Guard. On a phone call, they cancel medical appointments, golf tee times, and other planned activities. Through sweltering heat, torrential downpours and bitter December and January days - they serve. It is an honor to walk among them. We have received several requests to have this newsletter sent to individual e-mails. That was tried in the past and became an impossible task. From time to time, members would change their e-mail address. Our in-box was filled with error messages. SOOoooo! Here's the solution. Go to our Post web site, http://www.florida-legion.com/ - - click on "newsletter" and you can read it on your monitor or print your own hard copy. Just between you and me...I'd like to thank our Auxiliary for NOT giving me a toaster-oven or a best-selling novel. A thousand "thank you's." You folks are awesome.     (YVANTAEBYMRAOG).

Remember, WE ARE HERE TO SERVE VETERANS.

 For God and Country....Johnny Gibbons

Auxiliary News: by Ruth Sovern, Unit President: We're off and running for 2011 and it's going to be another great year!!! Our program chairmen are in place and are busy making plans for the coming year for Americanism, Children & Youth, Education, Community Service, Girl State, National Security, Poppies, Veterans Assistance and Rehabilitation. Are you ready to get involved? What program interests you? There is always room for another volunteer. Our meetings are the 1^st Wednesday of the month at 7 pm. We look forward to greeting you. (Please bring your Holiday Basket food donation). On September 26, our Legion Family is invited to listen to our 2010 Boy and Girl Staters speak about their week in Tallahassee with an ice cream social to follow, compliments of the Auxiliary. Hope to see you there!!! Finally, I want to recognize two Auxiliary members who helped beatify our Post by voluntarily weeding and trimming the roses out front. Thank you, Betty Bielicki and Priscilla Warner.

Sons of the American Legion News: by Tom Soeder, Sqdn. Commander: Our newly elected SAL officers for 2010-2011 are: Tom Soeder-Commander; Gerry Beauchamp-1^st Vice; Jim Sova-2^nd Vice; Joe Fazio-Adjutant (appointed); Bill Gray-Finance Officer; Jack Dirga-Chaplain; Historian-(open); Sergeant at Arms-Ron Davis.

Anita Gallo (Tom Soeder's wife), loaned the Post her father's (Albert Amadei) Bronze Star which he received while serving under General Patton. Any legion member with a son is eligible as a candidate in the SAL.

Check Post website, http://www.florida-legion.com/ for most up-to-date happenings 

From the desk of the 1^st Vice: Has anyone ever asked you why Post 347 requires a DD214 to become a member? The National Constitution of The American Legion states “Any person shall be eligible for membership in The American Legion who was a member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force or Merchant Marine of the United States and assigned to active duty at some time during any of the following periods…” It further outlines the dates that active duty must have been performed. These dates have been set by Congress and are very specific. One of the jobs of the 1^st Vice of Post 347 is to verify and approve all requests for membership in The American Legion. We welcome new members as well as transfers but both must produce a DD214 or equivalent to be approved for membership.   For God and Country….Mike Seidel  

40 & 8 News: by Richard Lyon, Chef de Gare: To all the members of the 40 & 8, these are some of the things we did over the past year. In December we held our annual Christmas party at Orange Blossom with 25 Voyageurs and their family members in attendance. In May we had a golf tournament at OBG and a mini-golf tournament followed by pizza and drinks. We joined our Legion family members to celebrate Memorial Day at Lady Lake Cemetery. In June we had the installation of your new officers and installation of our femmes. We also enjoyed a great dinner attended by 50 people. In this coming year, we will schedule more group functions and we hope that you will be able to join us for the fun as well as enjoying camaraderie with old friends.                                                                                           

Lounge News: by Ed Lawson: Saturday night entertainment, from 6 to 10 pm will feature DJs in September and October, with the exception of the live band Bordertown on October 16. Sept. 4-Blues with a Feeling; Sept. 11-David Baldwin; Sept. 18-Blues with a Feeling; Sept. 25-Too Old Boyz from Jersey. Oct. 2-Boston Bill; Oct. 9-Too Old Boyz from Jersey; Oct. 23-Music by George and Oct. 30-A Class Act. Every Friday night from 6 to 10 pm, we will feature Music by George except for October 8 when we will have The 3 D Band.  Game night will begin at the Post on September 6 at 7 pm. Lounge Challenge entrants will – throw 9 darts; shoot 8 shuffleboard pucks and bowl 1 game.  The person with the lowest points will be the lounge champion that week. Winners from each week will compete for prizes. Until further notice, there will NOT be karaoke in the lounge on Mondays. Finally, the Post is looking for volunteer door greeters. If interested, please contact Ed Lawson at 352 750-1811.