National Military Appreciation Month, as designated by legislation, includes Loyalty Day (1st), VE Day (8th), Military Spouse Appreciation Day (8th), Armed Forces Day (16th), and Memorial Day (25th). It also extends into the first 2 weeks of June to include Flag Day (14th). This very important period calls on all Americans to honor service men and women from all branches of the service, the National Guard and Reserves, military retirees, veterans and their families, but especially those men and women who gave their lives in defense of the freedoms we enjoy today.

Here are some ideas to show your support for our troops:

• Join a veterans’ support organization
• Fly your flag every day
• Send a letter or e-mail of thanks to a service member
• Send a care package to a soldier
• Raise funds for military charities
• Attend and participate in Armed Forces Day & Memorial Day events
• Wear a “Support our Troops” wristband or shirt
• Tell a person in a military uniform “Thank you for serving our country!”

This year marks the 11th anniversary of the first federal legislation proclaiming May as National Military Appreciation Month. For more information, visit the National Military Appreciation Month website.

When the Red Cross notified The American Legion that zip-up sweatsuits were in short supply at Walter Reed, the Legion immediately ordered 100 sets. But it’s just a drop in the bucket. We have been told there is an even greater need for items at Fort Hood and Fort Bragg. Consider that there are 67 other U.S. military inpatient facilities and 1,369 VA inpatient and outpatient centers, and you can grasp the enormous need. Their size and needs, however, are dwarfed by the obligation that America has to these heroes.

The American Legion family is calling this effort Operation Comfort Warriors. Contributing is effortless. No trips to the post office or packaging of comfort items are needed. We will handle all of that. You can use your credit card to make an online donation through a secure server (click the link above).

You can also mail a check to: Operation Comfort Warriors, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

Administrative and promotional costs for Operation Comfort Warriors will be paid by The American Legion, so you can be sure that your entire donation will go directly to the troops. Many centers are not equipped to store large quantities of care packages, so monetary donations are needed in order to purchase items that are truly needed.

Click here for more information about Operation Comfort Warriors

The Post 9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008 greatly improved the benefit for those who've served since Sept. 11, 2001. The American Legion played a vital role, as it did when members of the organization drafted and passed the original GI Bill in 1944.

The Post 9/11 benefit, which takes effect on Aug. 1, 2009, now joins the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty, the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve and the Reserve Educational Assistance Program.

Click here for more information about The New GI Bill

In the March/April Bugle we announced the trial run of our NEW BUSINESS MEETING day and time, 2nd Saturday of every month at 11 am, following our usual Saturday Morning Coffee Social. There has been a minor change, in that the decision was made to separate the POTLUCK from the meeting due to the difficulty of preparing food items before coming to the coffee and keeping them warm/cold until noon. We will instead establish some sort of “social” type dinner as soon as a plan can be developed and communicated to all our membership. It is my hope that attendance at the monthly meetings will improve now that no one will have to drive at night.

I am pleased to announce that Post 52 has awarded a $1000 scholarship to a local high school student to help them start their college experience. Our Auxiliary has awarded two $1000 General Continuing Education Scholarships and one $650 Freedoms Field Scholarship. Combined, the Legion and Auxiliary received 26 applications for these 4 scholarships! An additional scholarship will be awarded by Post 52’s American Legion Baseball Association to a deserving ball player.

The District 2 Convention is Sunday, May 3, at 1 pm; it will be hosted by our Post. We will have a dinner afterwards, Sloppy Joes and accompanying dishes, and everyone is encouraged to come and meet our guests from other District 2 Posts and Department. Elections of District Officers will be held in addition to the Annual Post Everlasting Ceremony. All my officers and our honor guard members have been submitted as delegates to the District Convention and are urged to attend.

The Memorial Day Ceremony on the Plaza will be Monday, May 25, at 11 am. This year’s ceremony is being organized by John Mancuso of the Disabled American Veterans and hosted by the North Central Arkansas Veterans Council. Everyone is encouraged to attend. A special “flyover” has been scheduled as part of the ceremony. Cake & coffee at the VFW afterwards.

As always, we need volunteers to put up and take down flags on the square. We will raise the flags on Friday, May 22, at 9 am, and take them down on Wednesday, July 8, at 9 am. The more hands available to work, the easier and quicker the work goes. In that same vein, Joe O’Halloran needs volunteers for placing the grave marker flags at the various cemeteries around the area. Please call Joe at 425-3572 to sign up!

Installation Dinner for new Post/Unit officers is set for Saturday, June 13, at the Elks Lodge. Details on time and menu choices will be e-mailed as soon as it’s available. If you don’t have e-mail but would like the info, please call me at 424-6235.

Due to scheduling issues and unavailability of key personnel, there will be NO PANCAKE BREAKFAST IN JUNE.

Planning ahead, the 89th Department Convention will be held in Little Rock on July 10-12, at the Wyndham Riverfront, #2 Riverfront Place, North Little Rock 72114; phone number is (501) 371-9000. Be sure to ask for the American Legion Convention room rate.

The Post will reimburse each authorized delegate (upon approval by E-board in accordance with the Post Bylaws) $175 for expenses UNLESS two delegates are sharing a room, in which case each delegate is reimbursed $150. To qualify for reimbursement, the delegate must stay a minimum of 2 nights at the convention and provide a written report to the Commander. Anyone interested in being a delegate to the Convention should contact me at 424-6235.

For God & Country
Frank R. Kaye
Commander 2005-09

Commander's Choice Dinner Sunday, May 24 11am - 2pm / Donation: $7.50 for adults $4 for children under 10 Menu: BBQ beef brisket, parsleyed potatoes, corn, roll & butter, dessert & drink.

NO PANCAKE BREAKFAST IN JUNE

For The American Legion & Auxiliary, Every Day is

Our Veterans -- Yesterday & Today