American Legion Post 80 Commander’s Newsletter Hi Everyone! Come join us for Halloween Night at the Post. We need donations of candy for all the kids who will be coming by. Also, we will be needing volunteers to help out and enjoy the fun that will be going on. Including there will be a costume contest going on at the Post. Would like to thank everyone who came out to the chili cook-off and bring the dessert at the Lake Nona Dom. It was enjoyed by everyone. Everyone has a lot of good ideas for the coming months. I enjoy working with a good group of people. For God and Country, Gary Nelson Commander, Post 80 November 1, 2015 Issue 11 of 12 1019 Pennsylvania Ave., St. Cloud, FL 34769 407-892-8808 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org Chaplain’s Corner Greetings fellow Veterans: We are entering a very busy time of the year. The Holiday Season is approaching very rapidly, and with it will come more and more activities and more demands on our time. One of the things that tends to happen during this time is to cut back on the spiritual side of life. Our relationship with God is the Most Important aspect of life and we cannot and must not allow anything to interfere with, or short circuit the life journey with our God. “Yet for us there is one God, The Father, of whom are all things and we for Him, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” ( I Cor. 8:6). Again this life is all about living for the Lord. It is all about Him and not about us. He is the center of the universe, all things revolve around Him. He is sovereign and in control and nothing happens without His foreknowledge and His permission. As we as a nation pause and observe a special holiday of Thanksgiving, let us never forget to whom we owe a debt of gratitude - The Lord God Almighty. Make every day a Thanksgiving Day. God Bless You. SDG For God and Country, Dave Nigh Chaplain, Post 80 407-922-2409 Service Officer Report Legion Members, The Administration has been working hard to complete claims sent to them in a more timely manner. Different claims have different times for completion due to the paperwork involved. Lake Nona has been up and running with more things to come. The Transition Team has been contacting veterans and asking if you want to stay at Lake Baldwin or transfer to Lake Nona. The Orlando VA Medical Center is having Veteran Hiring Events for Daytona and Central Florida Area. For more information, the contact person is Ellamay “Annie” Artis, CESP. Telephone number is (407) 629-1599 x1846 and email address is [email protected]. If you need help with any health benefits or need to check on paperwork or have questions about paperwork that you have received, you can call me at 407-485-6992 or contact me by e-mail at [email protected]and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Service Officer, Gary Nelson
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American Legion Post 80
Commander’s Newsletter
Hi Everyone! Come join us for Halloween Night at the Post. We need donations of candy for all the kids who will be coming by. Also, we will be needing volunteers to help out and enjoy the fun that will be going on. Including there will be a costume contest going on at the Post. Would like to thank everyone who came out to the chili cook-off and bring the dessert at the Lake Nona Dom. It was enjoyed by everyone. Everyone has a lot of good ideas for the coming months. I enjoy working with a good group of people. For God and Country,
Gary Nelson Commander, Post 80
November 1, 2015 Issue 11 of 12
1019 Pennsylvania Ave., St. Cloud, FL 34769 407-892-8808 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org
Chaplain’s Corner
Greetings fellow Veterans: We are entering a very busy time of the year. The Holiday Season is approaching very rapidly, and with it will come more and more activities and more demands on our time. One of the things that tends to happen during this time is to cut back on the spiritual side of life. Our relationship with God is the Most Important aspect of life and we cannot and must not allow anything to interfere with, or short circuit the life journey with our God. “Yet for us there is one God, The Father, of whom are all things and we for Him, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” ( I Cor. 8:6). Again this life is all about living for the Lord. It is all about Him and not about us. He is the center of the universe, all things revolve around Him. He is sovereign and in control and nothing happens without His foreknowledge and His permission. As we as a nation pause and observe a special holiday of Thanksgiving, let us never forget to whom we owe a debt of gratitude -The Lord God Almighty. Make every day a Thanksgiving Day. God Bless You. SDG For God and Country, Dave Nigh Chaplain, Post 80 407-922-2409
Service Officer Report
Legion Members, The Administration has been working hard to complete claims sent to them in a more timely manner. Different claims have different times for completion due to the paperwork involved. Lake Nona has been up and running with more things to come. The Transition Team has been contacting veterans and asking if you want to stay at Lake Baldwin or transfer to Lake Nona. The Orlando VA Medical Center is having Veteran Hiring Events for Daytona and Central Florida Area. For more information, the contact person is Ellamay “Annie” Artis, CESP. Telephone number is (407) 629-1599 x1846 and email address is [email protected].
If you need help with any health benefits or need to check on paperwork or have questions about paperwork that you have received, you can call me at
407-485-6992 or contact me by e-mail at [email protected] and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Service Officer, Gary Nelson
Page 2 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org American Legion Post 80 November 2015
American Legion Riders
Hello and greetings to all! I would like to thank everyone who participated in all the local events last month. You continue to be a great group and I always appreciate your support. Our annual gun raffle is continuing. Details are available on the posters at the Legion. If you’re not into guns, you can take the $400 cash option! Tickets are available at the bar, or you can get them from your favorite Legion Rider. We have another busy month ahead as you will see. One of our major events for this month will be the Veterans Day Parade in Kissimmee! I hope to see many of you as we pass by on our bikes. For you Riders, participate when and where you can. I know we are spread thin, but every little bit helps! Upcoming Events: • Nov 3rd – Riders meeting, 7pm, Post 80 • Nov 3rd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th – Bike Night – Post 10 Ksme • Nov 7th – Veteran’s Day Parade in Ksme – Meet at Post 80 at 8am; KSU 8:15am • Nov 13th – 15th – Fall Conference Hilton Disney • Nov 14th – Training Ride to Malabar Moe’s in Palm Bay – Meet at Post 80 at 11am; KSU 11:15am • Nov 21st – 6th District ALR Meeting at Post 35 Mt. Dora – 11am • Nov 28th – 6th Annual Poker Run – Post 81 to Post 1 – See Poster In Support of the American Legion Family, Still Serving Richard Arreola Director, ALR 80
Sons of the American Legion (SAL)
Greetings from the SAL! November is here and we have many things to be thankful for! One of which is a great line of communication between the Post and all entities. Plans are in place for the following November activities:
Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11th: SAL will be serving hamburgers, hot dogs and pulled pork to the Veterans.
Open Mic Night on Saturday, Nov. 14th will be cancelled due to the Fall Conference of the American Legion Department of Florida.
“Show Me the Money” Bingo will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21st at 7:00pm. Food will be available. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for our Special Olympians and get a free bingo card. The $150 Walmart Gift Card which SAL is selling raffle tickets for will be drawn that night. If you’d like to purchase some raffle tickets, please see a SAL member TODAY!
In the spirit of thanksgiving, the SAL would like to sincerely thank all 28 of the volunteers who made our part of the Special Olympics Kickball Tournament a huge success! Mike Wilson Commander
In Memory Of …
February 2015-2016 Joan Spears in memory of Jim Wallace
December 2014-2015 Darren & Cheryl McGhee in memory of Terrence “Terry” McGhee
Memorials are $10 per year. There is room for yours here.
FOR THE VETERANS DAY PARADE IN
KISSIMMEE ON SATURDAY, 11/7 – WE
WILL HAVE A FLOAT IN THE PARADE,
VETERANS MARCHING WITH FLAGS,
AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS RIDING
THEIR BIKES AND AUXILIARY MEMBERS
MARCHING AND PASSING OUT CANDY
TO THE KIDS ALONG THE PARADE
ROUTE, SO COME JOIN US!
Page 3 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org American Legion Post 80 November 2015
Auxiliary Chaplain’s Report
Thanksgiving is almost here. I hope that you and your family have a lot to be thankful for. I pray that our country remains at peace, and our troops can be home with their families – we must never ever forget. By the time you read this, we will be honoring Veterans Day. We have so many Veterans in our country who need our support. They have given much for our freedom. Always remember to thank our Vets. This has been a busy month for me as we have had a lot of people on the prayer list. I will start with Mona Skidgell. She been back to the hospital again, she has been through a lot but is home now. If you see her door open, stop by and say “hi.” Its time for her to get better. I have also been to see Ardele Lordalen, she has been through a lot, too, but now she is doing better and would love to see her friends. She is residing at The Terrace which is located across from the Animal Control. She looks good, hopefully she won’t be there long. I know I have said this before and I understand people are busy, but if you could spare an hour out of your day to go and see these people, it would mean a lot to them. The same for Polly Weddle and Beverly Thomas. It gets lonely in these places. Thank you. And while I’m on this subject, I would also ask for prayers for Diane Koger’s family. She was a Past District President and she passed away very unexpectedly. Her passing was a great loss for all, she loved helping and taking care of the troops, and she loved our Post, she came here with her husband, Bob. They were and are great supporters of our troops, and with that said, we will make a donation in her honor at the new domiciliary at the Veterans Hospital. She would have loved that. Thank you, Diane, for being in our lives, you had so many great friends. As I close, I want you to know you can call me any time. I’m always here, just a phone call away. Please keep our troops and family in prayers. Be kind to one another. Smile, hug and never take your life for granted. We only have today, for tomorrow is never promised to any of us, so use today well and be thankful. Thank you and God bless! Becky Adams Chaplain 407-892-8406
Unit 80 Auxiliary
Hi Ladies, We had a great turn-out at the Domiciliary. I’d like to thank everyone that helped.
I hope everyone enjoyed the food and band for our early bird dinner.
Don’t forget we will be helping SAL with the Special Olympics Christmas Party.
I hope everyone will help decorate the float in Kissimmee.
Don’t miss our RoadKill, we will have lots of fun.
Your President, Betty Nelson
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Auxiliary Membership Report
Greetings From Your Membership Chairman, Thank you to all who have already renewed your membership! In "Keeping our Promise“, we have already met the Nov. 11th goal and are well on our way to the Dec. 7th goal. As of Oct. 26th, we are at 49.23%! You can now renew on-line by going to www.alafl.org .
“Keeping the Promise” Membership Dates 2015-2016
11/11/2015 – 45% - I promise to thank a veteran for their service to our country! 12/07/2015 – 60% - I promise to honor those who gave their lives to save ours!
"Keep That Monkey Off Your Back" by renewing today!
Charlotte Bass Unit 80 Membership Chairman 6th District President
Page 4 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org American Legion Post 80 November 2015
Early Bird Dinner a Big Hit!
On Friday, October 16th, the Post was bursting at the seams with Early Bird Members and guests for free Prime Rib dinners and entertainment by the “Bent Straight” Band! Judy & Rita did an outstanding job with dinner and actually sold out! The band was phenomenal and folks enjoyed listening and dancing for hours!
The Legion’s Annual Fall Conference
will be held November 13th - 15th at The
Hilton Orlando, Walt Disney, 1751 Hotel
Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, FL
Classes are available for Legion, SAL,
Auxiliary and Riders Members.
Your participation is encouraged!
Mark Your Calendars:
• The St. Cloud Christmas Parade will
be held on December 5th
• The Wreaths Across America
ceremony will be held on December 12th
at noon
• The Special Olympics Christmas Party
will be held on December 13th
• Tickets are on sale now for the New
Year’s Eve party featuring “Two of
Diamonds”
Our Civic Hall is Available for
Rent for Parties, Meetings or
Events of Any Kind!
Contact Lady George at the Post
at (407) 892-8808
I saw a new commercial tonight for www.GreenlightaVet.com - Change your porch light to a green
lightbulb to show Veterans support through Hope and Well-being this Veterans Day! The simple
action of changing one light to green is intended to spark a national conversation regarding the
recognition of Veterans, and “greenlight” them forward as valued members of our communities!
Page 5 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org American Legion Post 80 November 2015
Sons Of the American Legion (SAL) Get Help from the Whole Family to Serve
Special Olympics
The Sons Of The American Legion Squadron 80 were up bright and early on Saturday, October 17thto get everything ready and head over to Kissimmee’s Lakefront Park for the First Annual Kickball Tournament Special Olympics event. Fortunately for them, a bunch of their favorite Legion and Auxiliary members were up early and working hard right along with them! KUA loaned SAL a huge BBQ grill, so SAL and Legion members started grilling up burgers, hotdogs and beans early. The group served up free lunches for the athletes throughout the event. They also sold lunches to other event attendees. We had approximately 28-30 volunteers working together for a hugely successful day!
Page 7 Website: AmericanLegionPost80fl.org American Legion Post 80 November 2015
Legislative Program
The Legislative Program provides information and assistance to American Legion Auxiliary members to advocate for the legislative agenda of the American Legion. How can Unit members work this program? By subscribing to the Legion's Legislative Action Alerts to receive notification when they call on all Legion Family members to take immediate action on a topic. Visit www.capwiz.com/legion/mlm/signup to subscribe. Let me know when you do, so that I can report the number of our members who have subscribed. This is open to all Legion Family Members. You will only be contacted when there is action that needs our attention.
Thank you, Charlotte Bass Unit 80 Legislative Chairman 6th District President
"From The Service of One Comes The
Support of Many"
From Your District President
Greetings from your District President,
As your 6th District President, I am so proud to be a member of Unit 80 and the American Legion Post 80 Family. On October 19th, the 6th District American Legion Family hosted a Chili Cook-Off Party for the residents at the V.A. Domiciliary at Lake Nona. The Post 80 family really showed their support with this event, from helping make the basket of goodies the Sunday prior to coming to the Domiciliary to pass out the goodies and serve the food. We also got news coverage for this event.
Thank you to Post 80 Commander Gary Nelson, and Unit 80 President Betty Nelson, District Commander Daryl Bass, Paula Fox, Becky Adams, Skip Barnett and Cindy Hoover for coming to help with the event.
A very special thank you to Judy Martin and Rita Johnson for the delicious dessert they made. The Veterans there are always appreciative of what we do for them. Once again, thank you for all that you do,
Charlotte Bass 6th District President
Charlotte Bass, Cindy Hoover & Becky Adams (L to R above) serve chili to the Veterans in the Domiciliary.
Jim Lachut, 6th District Vice Commander, coordinated this event with the V.A. for the Legion.
Auxiliary members from Units throughout the District gathered at Unit 286 on Sunday, 10/17 to package “goody bags” for each of the Veteran residents at the Domiciliary.
District President Charlotte Bass was interviewed by local media regarding this event.
Members of Unit 286 Auxiliary and
Dept of FL Commander Jim Ramos attended the event for the
Wreath Sponsorship Form *Sponsored wreaths are placed on the grave markers at state, national veterans cemeteries as well as local cemeteries each December. Wreaths
may be purchased online at www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org
If you wish to make your sponsorship with a credit card please visit our website for a secure online transaction.
In 2007, the Worcester family, along with veterans, and others who had helped with their annual Christmas wreath ceremony in Arlington, formed Wreaths Across America™, to continue and expand this effort, and support other groups around the country who wanted to do the same. This nonprofit organization continues the Arlington tradition as part of its mission to Remember, Honor and teach. In 2014, Wreaths Across America and our national network of volunteers laid over 700,000 memorial wreaths at over 1000 locations in the United States and beyond. We accomplished this with help from 2047 fundraising groups, many corporate contributions, and donations of trucking, shipping, and thousands of helping hands. Our annual pilgrimage from Harrington, Maine to Arlington National Cemetery is known as the world’s largest veteran’s parade, stopping at schools, monuments, veteran’s homes and communities all along the way to remind people how important it is to remember, honor and teach. Proceeds place a wreath at one of the participating cemeteries; help support our fundraising partners, educational and veteran’s services outreach. Please note that all sponsorships are sent directly to the location and no wreaths are sent to the individuals purchasing sponsorships. We welcome all to join us at any Wreaths Across America ceremony. If you would like to participate or help bring sponsored wreaths to your local community, please contact us and we will help connect you with other groups already working in your area.
Schedule of 2015 Events:
Sunday, December 6th Start of World’s Longest Veterans Parade from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery and participating locations
Monday, December 7th State House wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 States and Puerto Rico
Saturday, December 12th Mt. Peace Cemetery, St. Cloud, FL 12:00 noon
Simultaneous wreath laying ceremonies at over 900 locations all across the country and beyond. For more information visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org, or call 877-385-9504. You can also email [email protected]
