THE POST EXAMINER

  VOL. 64  ISSUE 1                       CLICK HERE FOR BACK ISSUES                    MARCH /APR. 2011
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Post #51  2011-2012                              S.A.L. 2011-2012                             Auxiliary 2011-2012
Commander: John Green             Commander: Ray Novencido            President: Karen Johnson
Adjutant: Ray Johnson                                                                                  Secetary: Charline Shirley
Chaplain: Jerry  Patton                                                                                   Chaplain: Not Filled
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       Commander's  Message                                  March / April   2011

   I think the first item I should mention is a change of officers.  As many members know, our 1st Vice, Mike O’Brien, has been ill much of this year.  While he wanted to fulfill his obligations, he has simply not been well enough to always do so and has reluctantly stepped down.  I have appointed as a temporary, interim 1st Vice, Larry Williams who was our chaplain.  He will assist me until elections are held in April.  To fill the chaplain’s post, I have asked Donnie Williamson for his assistance and he has graciously consented to assist me.  I appreciate both of these comrades stepping forward to help.

  We finally have our security cameras up and running, although some fine tuning remains to be done.  The cameras in the parking area were an immediate help to the police in identifying a prowler we had checking our cars.   The system activates anytime there is movement in the area and a time stamped record is kept on a digital recorder allowing us to go back at any time and observe whatever activity occurred in an area. 

  A reminder to all members: Our Post birthday will be celebrated March 15th with a visitation from the Department Commander and President.  Dinner is scheduled for 6:00 PM with the Post and Auxiliary meetings to follow at 7:00 PM 

  I think most members know our regular election of officers for the coming year is normally held in April.  This year it will be at the general meeting April 19th.  The nominating committee has been working on this and I thank them for their time and effort.  I might mention here that if we have members who would like to get more involved, please let us know. 

  We have tentatively scheduled a Red Cross blood drive for February 28th.  Healthy donors are wanted.  Larry Williams is coordinating this for us, so check with him if you have questions.

 LTC Mark Smith is the head honcho for the Junior ROTC program of the Lebanon School District.  He presently has over 100 students in the program and he is actively working with us on service projects which could use their assistance.  As I type this, we are scheduled to host the Roseburg veterans February 24th and LTC Smith’s troops will help host the vets and provide a welcoming ceremony for them.  We are looking forward, also, to getting some additional help for Memorial Day.  I am very pleased to be developing a closer relationship between the Legion and our high school, and I thank Mark for helping us.

  As a last item, please bear with us as we work to get our online website running smoothly.  We are not yet getting our update articles posted like we should and I have been probably more delinquent than most in this regard.  I have asked Ray Novencido to help oversee things for us and he has been very willing to help, but he has to learn the website procedures while also hounding the rest of us to give him update information, while also helping us with building maintenance, etc.  I may have overloaded him!  Anyway, we will get this worked out, but things are usually slower than a person plans.

John Green
Commander

                    PRESIDENT'S REPORT                     (May 14, 2011)

  By the time you read this, our Unit will have elected new officer for the coming year.  They will need your continued help and support.  To all of you, "Thank you for all you have done for your Unit this year."  Together we have accomplished so much for our veterans and our community.  A very special thank you to the officers and chairmen--you did a great job!   The installation of officers of the Legion, Auxiliary, and Sons will be held on Tuesday, May 17th, prior to the general meeting.  Please come and welcome your new officers.  Please give them the same great support you gave my officers and me this year.  Department Convention will be held at Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville, south of Roseburg.  June 22nd to 26th.  Hope to see you there.
 
Jean Thompson
President

CLUB 51

  Our Super Bowl party was great, thanks to everyone who participated!  Lots of good food and some delicious chili.  Congratulations to Linda Verdin, first place winner in our annual Chili Cook-off. We have lots of fun things coming up in the next couple of months, such as some new bands, an Oyster Feed on March 12th, St. Patrick's Day Corned Beef dinner on March 15th, and a BIG BAND DANCE PARTY on April 2nd.  Everyone really enjoyed the Big Band music last time and if you missed it, you'll want to be here this time.  In fact, you won't want to miss any of these fun events. We will be trying some new things too, such as having live music on one Friday night a month instead of Karaoke with some different styles of music than usual, probably starting on Friday, March 18th. We will also be changing the Thursday night Baked potato Bar to a Hot Dog Bar.  Big juicy dogs you can 'doctor up' however you like with chili, cheese, and all the fixings. In April we have several large banquets scheduled in the dining room:  Pheasants Forever banquet will be on Saturday, April 23, so there will be no band that night and no Swiss Steak Dinner. We will be offering open-faced Prime Rib sandwiches in the bar that evening.  On April 26th and 28th, Edward E. Jones will be holding their annual banquets. There are always fun thing going on at your American Legion Post.  Join us for a good time!    Thank you. 


Doris and the Crew


                                  PINOCHLE SATURDAY NIGHTS 


Beginning Saturday, April 23rd, we will be playing Pinochle again in the Auxiliary meeting room.  Please join us.  We have several tables going and would love for you to join us.  We start at 7 p.m. and play until about 10 p.m.  Everyone is welcome so come on down and have some fun. 


Dorothy McCarthy                                                                                                    


                                                        V.A. & R 


Patients from the Roseburg VA Hospital Facilities will be here April 21st.  This will be their last visit until October.  If you would like to donate a pie, please contact Mary Lou at (541) 258-5537.  Remember to get your volunteer hours in to all chairpersons by the end of March.  We will be working on reports and need this information. 


Mary Lou, VA&R Chairman                                                                                         


                                             MEMBERSHIP DUES 


If you haven't paid your dues for 2011, this may be your last newsletter.  If you're not sure, call me, Monday thru Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Ray Johnson, Adjutant


                                                NEW OFFICERS 


On April 19th, we will be electing officers for our next year.  The installation of officers will be May 17th.  If anyone sould like to be an officer or be on a committee, call the post or come by.  I'm usually in the office Monday thru Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 


Ray Johnson, Adjutant                                                                                           


                                             ESSAY CONTEST  


The Santiam Unit #51 has the rules for the Essay Contest in the schools for 3rd grade through high school.  Also, all home schooled and Charter or Christian school students are invited to enter. The title this year is "How Can I Encourage My Friends to Show Pride in Being an American?"    The contest will end in schools March 15, 2011, so hurry.  Cash prizes will be given by our Unit in 5 classes.  Winners at the State level will receive a cash award and a $50 honorarium in the student's name to the National President's Scholarship Fund.  Entry forms are available from Americanism Chairman Frankie Gray: (541) 259-2274. Encourage your kids and grandkids to participate.  Thanks. Frankie                                                                      


                   DISASTER/EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 


Now that we are a "Designated Emergency Shelter,"  our Post #51 will be holding "Emergency Shelter Management Training" for all Post and Auxiliary members interested.  The Amercan Red Cross, Mid-Valley Chapter, will be facilitating the training in a 4-hour session in mid-April.  We are planning for a 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. day with a no-host lunch.  There will also be a 72-hour Emergency Kit training by the Linn County Sheriff's Emergency Response Trainers in May.  Watch for the dates and times. A Disaster/Emergency Preparedness Fair with community-wide participation is also being planned for in the coming months.  Larry Williams, First Vice Commander, Charline Shipley, Second Vice President and National Security Unit Chairman, and Lynette White, Department of Oregon National Security Chair will be happy to answer your questions and take your name and information.  Please write your name , address, phone number, interest, and training, on a piece of paper and drop it in the "jar" at the bar.  Thank you in advance for your involvement. 


Charline Shipley

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