Commander’s Message

November-December 2017 

                                                                 Fall 2017

The start of Legion activities for the 2017-18 year are under way with fabulous turnouts to meetings in all three months. There were over 40 members at the September, October, and November meetings.  We hosted a Dinner at the November meeting and invited the Ladies Auxiliary to join us and had another great turnout. Thanks to Andy Buckman for putting together a great meal. We also made our annual donations to our Guests Pam Payer of Wounded Heroes of Maine, as well as Lisa Lapierre for Quilts of Valor at the November meeting. Your Post has also been busy raising money to support local Veteran’s and the community!

                                                            Citizenship Dinner 

 On September 30 we hosted an awesome luncheon for National Commander Rohan with 100 guests. The Riders provided a motorcade escort from Porter in the rain, much to the surprise and delight of our fine Commander. Beverly Cassady presented the Patriotic quilt and lobster scarf which she enjoyed very much. Andy Buckman and Ron Vigue also presented Tom Hussey (CEO Hussey Seating) with a Flag Presentation Case for their display room in recognition of their Support of the POW/MIA Program. A COA was later presented to the Ladies Auxiliary for the excellent support of the event. Special thanks to Paul and Dianna Lapierre for shopping and their hard work in preparing the food and Chuck and Rosanne for some great potato and pasta salads.
                        

                                                  Fall Fundraiser-Supper

The Raffle and Fall Supper/Bake Sale was a huge success Paul Lapierre and his Veterans and Community Support Committee did an outstanding job again this year.  Paul and the committee raised over $8,100 through the fall raffle and $170.00 on the Spaghetti Supper, 10% percent of the funds raised will be distributed throughout the community. Thanks to Paul and the committee and all those who supported these events. This will be Paul Lapierre’s last Spaghetti Supper and we thank him for all his hard work on this very successful event over the years. If anyone is interested in taking over this project please contact Paul or myself.
                                  

                                           Veterans Honor Celebration Award

At the Honor of Veterans Celebration held on Nov 3^rd at Marshwood Middle School Tony Cincotta presented Principal Tony Bourbon an Award for their 17 years of work on the Honor of Veterans Celebration.                            

                                                     Veteran’s Day Celebrations

                                                      Facebook and Help Wanted

 Beverly Cassady has started a new Facebook page and has volunteered to Chair the Social Media Committee, thanks Beverly. She has migrated information from the Web site and posted dates and photos, Great job Beverly.

We are also looking for a Post Adjutant assistant to work with Chuck Bogdan. The Adjutant is a very important Post position and acts as Secretary of other organized bodies. Duties include maintaining membership records and meeting minutes.  Chuck has done an outstanding job as Adjutant and has spent numerous hours updating files and entering them in the computer.  He needs your help so if you are interested please call Chuck or myself.                      

                                                                Firing Detail

 Lynn Rendell has volunteered to head up the rifle detail, thank you, Lynn. We would like to have a roster available for Military Funerals, Parades, etc.  Contact Lynn or myself if you are interested. We do a great job with these events and we certainly owe it to our members who have passed on and I know their families really appreciate it.

                                                          Blood Drives Save Lives

We hosted successful blood drives in August and October to the satisfaction of the American Red Cross. Thanks to our Chairman Dennis Ouellette, Paul Heberzettl and all the other volunteers who helped make it a success. These drives together saved 15 lives great job!                                                

We have paid dues for members over eighty as approved at the May meeting, it’s the least we can do for these members who have done so much. We are wrapping up our 2017-2018 membership, you should have received your cards by now, if not please Contact Chuck Bogdan.  
We voted in new member James Buchanan, and a transfer from Post 178 Paul Amatucci at the November meeting. Dan Cassady who recently joined the Post with wife Beverly returned from a six month deployment was also in attendance. Thank you for your Service Dan.

Andy Buckman spearheaded another highly successful recruiting day during the November 7^th election and again recruited several new members, Great job Andy!

                                                              Kick Stands Up

 Our Legion Riders have been busy also. They escorted National Commander Rohan from Porter to Berwick, great job Riders! They have made significant donations to the Preble Street shelter in Portland, and held a scrapbooking fundraiser in Oct as well donating $300.00 in needed items, and recently held election of officers for 2018. 

                                                                    Sick Call

Girard Vaillancourt has been in Wentworth Hospital with pneumonia for several weeks and can have visitors, please stop by for a visit.

Again, I sincerely thank you all for your continued hard work and support.

                                                     On the Horizon

• December 2^nd , 2:30 pm,  Berwick-Somersworth Holiday Parade

• December 5^th , 7:00 pm,   Next Post Meeting

• December 30^th,, 8:00 am to 2;00 pm, Blood Drive, Berwick Methodist Church

For God and Country,

Jeff Chase

Commander

See the ARCHIVES page for previous Commander's Messages