May 2013 • First Call 1

Chris Urban, Commander May 2013 Jack LaPaglia, Membership

First Call!The American Legion Utica Post 229

Utica Post 229 • 409 Herkimer Rd., Utica, NY 13502 • 315.793.9377 • www.uticapost229.org

Post Meetings are first Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. (optional dinner at 6:15)

Pat Dodge passed away April 19. Known as “Mamma D” to adopted troops, Pat was “a great lady to all vet-erans,” noted Adjutant Tony Palladino. See Page 7.

Inside

Commander’s Call 2Post at Hill Day 3Flag Day 3 Chaplain 3‘Fees’ Could Hurt 6Memorial Day 6Auxiliary 7Parade 8

May1 Bloodmobile, noon-52 Monthly Dinner, 6:15 Post Meeting, 7:30 pm Auxiliary, 7:30 pm4 Installation/Dinner, 57 Bingo, 6:3011 DAV Info Day, 913 Vietnam Vets of Am., 114 Bingo, 6:30 pm18 DAV, noon 21 Bingo, 6:30 pm28 Bingo, 6:30 pm25 Spaghetti dinner, 4-730 Bingo, 6:30

DAV Seminar on Vets BenefitsThe Disabled American Veterans (DAV) will host an in-

formational workshop at Utica Post 229 from 9 to 1 Satur-day, May 11. Coffee and doughnuts will be available between 8 and 9. National Service Officer Howard Brittain will give a presentation on benefits that veterans are entitled to and an overview of the DAV. After the workshop, he will assist vet-erans in following up on VA claims or in filing new claims.

NATIONAL COMMANDER VISITS AREA

James E. Koutz, national commander of The American Legion, brought his message of support for veterans and wounded war-riros to Oneida County April 10 during a four-day swing through New York State.

He toured the Eastern Air Defense Sec-tor (EADS) at Griffiss Airpark, lunched with veterans at Leon R. Roberts Post 161 in Holland Patent, and spoke at a testimo-nial banquet in his honor at the Beeches in Rome. Koutz focused on the Legion’s po-litical impact, practical public relations for growing membership, and 100 percent sup-port for wounded warriors. See PAGE 4.

National American Legion Commander James E. Koutz visited Oneida County April 10. He is shown with Oneida County Commander Dave Riley of Rome during a stop at Leon R. Roberts Post 161 in Hol-land Patent. See PAGE 4.

UTICA POST COORDINATES MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCEMONDAY, MAY 27• 9:30 Coffee/Doughnuts at Post• 10:30 Bus Leaves Post• 11:00 Wreath Laying Starts • 12:00 Lunch at Post• 2:00 Utica Parade Begins

VVA Color Guard (which includes Utica Post members) at last year’s observance.

First Call • May 20132

Commander’s Call

Chris Urban

first Wednesday of every month. Our donation numbers have been steadily decreasing but the need seems to be increasing. Please consider giving the gift of life on Wednesday, May 1, from noon to 5 p.m.

VOLUNTEER TO PAINTIf you would like to

help us paint the Banquet Room, please contact Joanne Powers at the Post. We don’t have a date yet... we’ll select a date that is convenient for the largest group of volunteers.

CREATIVE IDEAS?We tried something new

and it worked pretty well:

Brian Jaynes for their work as instructors for the Notre Dame Navy Junior ROTC program: they were re-cently inspected and their program received grades of outstanding.

Finally, BZ to Ted Za-niewski and Jim Haggerty for being the first two Post 229 members to complete the brand new American Legion Extension Institute online class; both Ted and Jim told me that the class was excellent and that they learned a ton about the American Legion.

NEED BLOOD DONORSThe Red Cross Blood

Mobile is at the Post on the

We had five Friday Lenten Bingo dates. We were able to raise almost twice as much money (about $2,200) in five Friday Bin-go dates as we did in eight Lenten Friday Fish Fries last year... we’ll definitely be doing this next year. We distributed over $35,000 to over 40 recipients (indi-viduals and groups in need) last year. We would like to be able to help more folks and organizations in need, but to do so we need to do more fund-raising. If you have any great ideas, I am all ears; please give me a call or send me an e-mail.

For God and Country

BRAVO ZULULarry Weibel earned

a big BZ for refurbish-ing the Men’s Room with water-saving fixtures, improving the walls behind the sinks, replac-ing the sinks, replacing the towel dispenser, and prep-ping the room for new paint. Jim McGuire also earned a big BZ for hours of scrubbing the Men’s Room floor grout on his hands and knees.

BZ to Cal Anacker, Mike Cavanaugh, Steve Currie, Jim McGuire, and Larry Weibel for their work as our 2013 Nomi-nating Committee.

BZ to Joe Keegan and

Service Officer Dave WilsonJudge Advocate Al AlteriSgt at Arms Wayne Dapre

Executive Board #1 Frank CassellaExecutive Board #2 Tom O’TooleExecutive Board #3 Vin ZaleskiExecutive Board #4 Jack LaPagliaExecutive Board #5 Stew Bailey

Scholarship Committee #1 Jim McGuireScholarship Committee #2 Paul WojcikScholarship Committee #3 Vin ZaleskiScholarship Committee #4 Jim GeorgeScholarship Committee #5 Tom O’TooleScholarship Committee #6 Jim HaggertyScholarship Committee #7 Chris Urban

By Tony Palladino, adjutantThe Nominating Committee, chaired by Larry Weibel, did

a fantastic job. At the April general meeting the Nominating Committee presented its list of nominees for the May election. Additionally, Al Kohler was nominated off the floor for the po-sition of historian. Please plan on attending the general meet-ing on Thursday, May 2, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. to cast your vote.

OFFICE NOMINEECommander Chris Urban1st Vice Commander Jim George2nd Vice Commander Bob Stronach3rd Vice Commander Dave WilsonAdjutant Tony PaLLadinoTreasurer Jim HaggertyChaplain Paul WojcikHistorian Steve Campese Al Kohler

NOMINATIONS SET FOR MAY ELECTIONS

May 2013 • First Call 3

POST 229 PARTICIPATES IN ‘HILL DAY’

VVA Meets on 2nd MondayVietnam Veterans of America, Utica

Chapter 944, meets at Post 229 on the second Monday of the month at 1 p.m.

FOR MEMORIAL DAYREMEMBER JOY

Don’t grieve for me for now I’m freeI follow the plan God laid for meI saw His Face, I heard His call

I took his hand and left it allI could not stay another day.

To love, to laugh, to work or playTasks left undone must stay that way

and if my parting has left a voidthen fill it with remembered joy

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kissAh yes these things I too shall miss

my life has been full, I’ve savored muchgood times, good friends, a loved one’s

touchPerhaps my time seemed too briefdon’t shorten yours with undo grief

be not burdened with tears of sorrowenjoy the sunshine of the day.

MAY DATES TO REMEMBER

1 May Day2 Holocaust Remembrance Day7 National Teachers Day10 MOTHERS DAY16 Wear purple for Peace Day19 Armed Forces Day (3rd Sat)21 Red Cross Founded (1881)25 Missing Children’s Day27 Memorial Day (observed)30 Memorial Day (traditional)

FINAL SALUTEStanley J. (Ben) Zebrowski Jr., 83,

Korean War, U.S. Marine; March 23.

Chaplain’scorner

Paul Wojcik

MAY MEETING TO FEATURE ELECTIONS, TOP COP AWARDSElection of post officers and presenta-

tion of Top Cop Awards will highlight the May 2nd general meeting, which starts at 7:30 p.m.

The newly elected officers of the Post and Auxiliary will be installed on Satur-day, May 4.

The officers of Harold Provost Me-morial Post 1686 will join Utica Post officers for a joint installation, conduct-

Sixteen Legionnaires, including Utica Post 229 officers Tony Palla-dino and Paul Wojcik, represented Oneida County Legion at the an-nual Legislative Hill Day March 12 in Albany.

Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi joined the county delegation for breakfast and “was given a heads up on some of the issues concerning the Legion,” Wojcik said, including the effort to have a veterans cem-etery in the Oneida County area. They then met met with Senators Joe Griffo and David Valesky, and Assembly members Ken Blanken-bush and Claudia Tenney.

Some were “very interested in our concerns and offered to do what they could to get a state-run veterans cemetery in our area,” Wojcik noted.

Hill Day is an annual effort to have local Legion posts around the state meet with their state sena-tors and assemblymen/women to discuss Legion and veterans issues, noted Palladino, who chaired the effort for Oneida County Legion. Among those in the delegation were 5th District Commander Bill Park, Oneida County Commander Dave Riley, and 5th District Sons of the American Legion Com-mander Chris Burtch.

Members of the Utica Police De-partment will join Post and Auxiliary members for dinner, which starts at 6:15. Call the post for reservations.

INSTALLATION DINNER IS MAY 4ed by Oneida County Legion officers.

A social hour starts at 5, with instal-lation ceremonies at 6, followed by dinner. To make a reservation for the installation dinner, contact the post at 793-9377.

Pleased be advised that the April Lotto was the last lotto drawing, due to lack of ticket sales, Treasurer Jim Hag-gerty announced.

APRIL WAS LAST MONTH FOR POST’S LOTTO“We thank those who have purchased

tickets in the past but there just wasn’t enough interest to keep it going. Again, thank you to those who did help.”

UTICA -- Harold Provost Post 1686 and Utica Post 229 will hold a Flag Day ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the steel replica of Old

FLAG DAY CEREMONY AT UTICA’S METAL FLAGGlory on John Street (between Oris-kany Boulevard and Bleecker Street). Members of the Legion Family at both posts are invited to attend.

First Call • May 20134

ROME -- The political impact of The American Legion. Practical public relations for growing membership. And giving 100 percent to wounded warriors.

Those were the topics that National Commander James E. Koutz focused on during his swing through New York State April 10-12, stopping in Central New York, the Capital Region and finally New York City.

On Feb. 28 -- the eve of sequestra-tion, when budget cuts loomed across the federal government -- Koutz met with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office, at the president’s request, the na-tional commander told over 200 Legion Family members at the Beeches in Rome April 10. They shared, he said, concerns over the backlog of claims with Veterans Administration, which the president told him would be spared sequestration cuts. Koutz expressed appreciation for the administration’s support for Legion-backed efforts to get military experience recognized for licensing and credentials in various trades and specialized career fields. The national commander also told the president of the Legion’s concerns over VA services for female veterans, noting that the Legion was institut-ing a women veterans coordinator in every state. Koutz said he then told the president of the need to improve mental health care, with 7 to 9 veterans commit-ting suicide daily.

“That tells you the power of The Amer-ican Legion,” he said, pointing to 2.4 million Legionnaires, 800,000 members of the Auxiliary and another 350,000 in the Sons of the American Legion.

REGARDING MEMBERSHIP, Koutz said he knew that the Department of New York was working toward achiev-ing 100 percent of its goal. “We’ve got to work a little bit harder than we’ve been doing” and “we need to have more public relations than we do.”

For example, he said:• Every post represented at the ban-

NATIONAL COMMANDER VISITS AREA

quet should go back home and submit something to its local paper about the affair.

• Take advantage of discounts that billboard companies are offering non-profits like the Legion. He pointed to the Connecticut Department which is putting up 30 billboards promoting Legion membership.

• Adopt a vet. Visit veterans in nursing homes and other care facilities and adopt them. Pay their membership for the first year so they will start receiving the Le-

gion Magazine. Perhaps they will renew on their own, and if they can’t afford it, continue paying their membership.

• Offer free wireless internet at Le-gion Posts. His post did, and they started attracting young veterans who liked to bring their laptops and iPads to the post.

• Schedule informational conferences to educate future Legion leaders. Dubbed LEAD, with 21 different topics to choose from, the conferences are offered by na-tional staff. Eighteen have been scheduled around the country so far.

National Commander James Koutz, left, chats with Oneida County LegionCommander Dave Riley, New York Department Commander Tim Van Pat-ten, and Post 161 member Mikel Buczkowski, who chaired the 5th District committee coordinating the visit. They were at Leon R. Roberts Post 161 in Holland Patent, which hosted a luncheon for Koutz.

National Commander James Koutz poses with Post 229 member Paul Wojcik, who, as 5th District chaplain, gave the invocation at both the lun-cheon and banquet (right).

May 2013 • First Call 5

To grow membership, those are the kinds of things “we have to do,” Koutz said.

SAVING A FAVORITE TOPIC for last, the national commander said his personal goal is to raise $500,000 for the Legion’s Operation Comfort War-riors during his year in office -- and so far it has topped $400,000. He spoke of the tears that well in the eyes of injured

service members when the Legion shows up to provide such comfort items as gift cards, books, iPods, iPads, radios, TVs, sporting and other equipment. Even fishing and hunting trips for wounded warriors and their families.

The Legion, he noted, is in contact with military hospitals and wounded warrior transitional units to find out what the needs and wants are, and then purchases

Fifth District Commander William Park of Rome, right, welcomes Nation-al Commander James Koutz to Central New York during a banquet at the Beeches in Rone on April 10. Koutz spent the day visiting with veterans in Holland Patent and Rome, and touring the Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS) at Griffiss Airpark.

and delivers those items.And unlike other charities that have

administrative and fundraising expenses, 100 percent of all donations go directly to helping injured soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen. The banquet in Rome culmi-nated with individuals, posts and coun-ties in the NY Department’s 5th District stepping forward to donate nearly $3,000 to Operation Comfort Warriors.

Karleen Tracy, a student at Ganesvoort Elementary School, led banquet-goers in a rendition of God Bless America at the Beeches in Rome April 10. With everyone holding hands, the singing brought to a close the testimonial dinner for National American Legion Com-mander James Koutz. The 10-year-old girl also helped to open the dinner by singing the National Anthem. Behind her is Richard Pedro, adjutant for the Department of New York.

Post 229 Service Officer Dave Wilson and Auxil-iary member Evelyn Wilson got to meet National Commander James Koutz and pose for a photo. They were among nine members of the Legion Family from Utica Post 229 at the banquet.

Nine Legion Family members from Utica Post 229 attended the testimonial dinner for the national commander at the Beeches in Rome, including Past Post Commander Frank Cassella (above with Missy Dunham), Jim and Roe Hag-gerty, Paul and Donna Wojcik, Dave and Eleanor Wilson, and Bob Stronach.

First Call • May 20136

DAV Meets on 3rd Saturday

Disabled American Veter-ans, Leo B. Wheeler/Stars and Stripes Chapter 82, meets at Post 229 at noon on the third Saturday of the month.

PROPOSED FEES COULD HURT VETERANS, SENIORSBy Norman C. JacksonUtica Post 229 member

Our Utica mayor has stated he is not looking to increase any taxes and fees this year. Our Common Council thinks otherwise, and proposed and passed on April 17, 2013 sev-eral fees, which appear justified.

My primary concern, which apparently was not addressed at the meeting, was the Coun-cil’s proposal for the establish-ment of a so-called embellish-

ment fee where the property owner would be assessed a fee based on road frontage.

These so called fees, be they service, road improvement or embellishment fees, are a tax strategy used by other cities to circumvent tax laws, some of which were enacted by the state, that grant property tax exemptions to military vet-erans, including the disabled

and their widows. There are also tax exemptions for senior citizens who in their old age are trying to hold onto their homes, which were probably the largest investment they made during their lifetime.

As both a veteran and a senior, I take this person-ally and if further action by some members of the Utica Common Council is taken,

I will consider it the most disrespectfull action this city has ever taken toward its most vulnerable citizens -- its aged veterans and other seniors...

I urge our veterans, seniors, and their family members to write and call their coun-cilpersons. Ask them their position on this initiative and finally ask them to stop this financial assault on our seniors and veterans. You are entitled to an answer.

EDITORIAL

By Len LaScalaOnce again the Ride for

Missing Children will be pass-ing by our post and continu-ing down Herkimer Road.

This 90-mile-plus bicycle ride is held annually to raise funds that go in support of the Mohawk Valley branch

of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Chil-dren on York Street in Utica.

It is the only location in the United States that dis-tributes posters in the search for missing or exploited chil-dren.

This year’s ride will be held

on Friday, May 17, and is scheduled to pass Utica Post at approximately 4:15 head-ing towards Schuyler and the eventual finish at the New Hartford Recreation Center.

Stop by the post and help “cheer” the riders on to the finish.

CHEER ON ‘RIDE FOR MISSING CHILDREN’ MAY 17

The Memorial Day obser-vance in Utica on May 27 features morning wreath-laying at six monuments and an after-noon parade up Genesee Street.

The wreath-laying ceremo-nies start at 11 a.m. at the Sol-diers and Sailors Monument on Oneida Square.

The wreath-laying then moves, in order, to: the Viet-nam Veterans Memorial on the Memorial Parkway, the POW-MIA Monument on the Parkway, the World War I/World War II/Korean War Monument on the Parkway, the Purple Heart Park in West Utica, and the All Veterans

Memorial at Utica’s Main Post Office on Pitcher Street.

A Memorial Day Parade, up Genesee Street from Oneida Square to the Parkway, caps off the day’s events, starting at 2 p.m. This year six World War II veterans will be the grand marshals: Frank Zammiello, Philip Capraro, Albert Circelli, Al (Mutz) D’Acurrizo, Joseph Ducato and Louis Barile.

Sponsored by Utica Post 229 and the City of Utica, the pa-rade is organized by a commit-tee representing various veter-ans’ organizations and chaired by Utica Post’s Master Chief Mark Williamson, T. R. Proc-

tor High School NJROTC instructor

Coffee and doughnuts will be available at the post that morning, and, for those mem-bers needing a ride to the wreath-laying, buses will leave the post at 10:30.

The parade committee mem-bers are:

• Mark Williamson, chair-man, Utica Post 229 and T. R. Proctor NJROTC Instructor.

• Joe Fraccola, vice chair-man-treasurer, Central NY Chapter 490/Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Vietnam Veterans of America/Utica Chapter 944.

• Stash Babiarz, Pulaski As-sociation/Walter Skiba Post #20 P.L.A.V. (Polish Legion of American Veterans).

• Tom Buono, commander, Vietnams Veterans of America (VVA), Chapter 944.

• Larry Badger, Purple Heart, VVA, DAV.

• Carl Yeomans, AmVets Post 6001.

• John Ryan, Oneida County Voiture 92, 40 & 8.

• Vin Zaleski, Utica Post 229.• Stan Bogdan, Walter Skiba

Post #20 P.L.A.V. • Dan Pieloch, Walter Skiba

Post #20 P.L.A.V.• Jim George, Utica Post 229.

POST SPONSORS MEMORIAL DAY WREATHS, PARADE

May 2013 • First Call 7

AuxiliaryPeggy Kohler, president

President’s MessagePeggie Kohler

Dear Auxiliary Members,

This is the end of my year as your unit president. It has been a great experience that I will always remem-ber.

Sincere thanks to all volunteers and past presidents who helped me this past year. I extend my sincere gra-ditude to our Legionnaires and all past commanders and our present commander, Chris Urban.

I wish all our Mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day.

On this coming Memorial Day and every day, let us remember our veterans and their sacrifices ...so we can live free.

Yours in service...

By Rose A. Coniglio

We have 181 paid members, to date. With a quota of 202, we are at 89.92 percent of goal.

We need 21 more to make 100 percent. We hope to make quota by June.

If you haven’t paid 2012 dues, please pay those along with 2013 dues.

Dues are now $20. Make checks out to

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 229 and send to:

Rose A. Coniglio607 Jay St., Apt. C2Utica, NY 13501

MembershipIs at 89.9% Of Goal

Pat Dodge,A Final Salute

Auxiliary 1st Vice President Pat Dodge, the Utica Post 229 military liaison who sent numerous care packages to adopted troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, died April 19. She was 72.

Known to the troops as “Mamma D”, Pat was hon-ored last December when Sgt. 1st Class Kenny Clark and Staff Sgt. Isabel Tio dropped by the post to present her with flowers and a certificate of appreciation on behalf of 10th Mountain Division troops returning to Fort Drum.

Staff Sgt. Tio said they had to honor Pat “because she was the platoon’s mamma.”

Department President Sally Johnston got to spend some time with National Commander James Koutz, along with SAL Detachment Commander John Knapp and NY Department Commander Tim Van Patten. They were at Leon Roberts Post 161 in Holland Patent.

On behalf of adopted troops from Fort Drum, Sgt. First Class Kenny Clark presented Pat with flowers during a visit to the post last December.

First Call • May 20138

Utica Post #229The American Legion

409 Herkimer Rd.Utica, NY 13502

First Call is a monthly publication of Utica Post 229 American Legion,

409 Herkimer Rd., Utica, NY 13502, whose mission is to serve veterans, members and local communities.

Yearly membership includes First Call, published 10 times a year.

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

-PAID-Utica, NY

Permit No. 566

Since its founding in Paris in 1919, The American Legion has been an advocate for America’s veterans, a friend of the U.S. military, a sponsor of community-based programs for young people and a spokesman for patriotic values.

Editor: Robert Stronach. Send news, announcements and photos to FirstCall@uticapost229.org.

WANT TO MARCH IN MEMORIAL DAY PARADE?Any groups or organizations inter-

ested in marching in Utica’s Memorial Day Parade may contact the Memorial Day Committee to sign up, announced Committee Chairman Mark William-son, Command Master Chief, U.S. Navy (Ret). The parade steps off at 2 p.m. Monday, May 27, proceeding up Gen-esee Street from Oneida Square to the Memorial Parkway.

For information on participating, contact Williamson at 315-272-7327 or Committee Vice Chairmain/Treasurer Joe Fraccola at 315-794-5296. Interested parties may also contact them via email at parade@uticapost229.org.

Sponsored by Utica Post 229 and the City of Utica, the parade is organized by a committee representing various veterans’ organizations. This year’s grand

marshals are World War II veterans Al-bert Circelli, Philip Capraro, Frank Zam-miello, Joseph Ducato, Albert (Mutz) D’Accurzio and Louis Barile.

Stosh Babairz has donated 1,000 American Flags to be handed out prior to the parade, Williamson noted.

Various Memorial Wreath Layings will start at Sailors & Soldiers Monument on Oneida Square at 11 a.m. that day.