Post 155 Veterans Newsletter

DATE OF ISSUE

December 31, 2011

 

EDITOR: Bob Shadler

E-Mail post155@verizon.net

 

REGULAR MEETINGS 1ST & 3RD TUESDAY

8:00 P.M. EVERY MONTH

Post Web Site www.orgsites.com/ny/post155

 

ELECTED OFFICERS

                                                                                    Commander: Ed Teller                       Chaplain: Louis Brida

                                                                                    1^st Vice: Bob Tattanelli                       Historian: Mike Gotay

                                                                                    2^nd Vice: Ilone Torraca                       Sergeant: Dan Pierce

                                                                                    3^rd Vice: Tom Bissell                           Adjutant: Ilone Torraca

                                                                                    Service Officer: Wayne Brew              Treasurer: Bob Shadler

                                                                                                Judge Advocate: Raul Cintron Jimenez

                                                                                                Homeland Security: James Traynor

DIRECTORS

                                                                        Nicholas Biscotto                                                        Bill Bouklas 

                                                                        Paul Attard                           Bob Shadler                   Wayne Brew

 

Commander’s Corner

            The last few months have been very busy ones for Post 155.  On November 10 we started our Veterans Day ceremony with a trip to the Ronkonkoma Middle School.  It is quite an experience to go into the classroom and answer all types of questions from the students and teachers.  I believe the students learned from the Veterans and we learned what younger people are thinking about. Later on the same day I attended a Veterans luncheon at Brookhaven Town Hall.  This is the type of event I enjoy going to.  The food was good, the speeches were short and they gave us a check for $550.  What could be better? On November 11^th we ran our Veterans Day ceremony at Raynor Beach Park.  In addition to our words of remembrance, the VFW and AmVets spoke on behalf of all veterans.  After our ceremony we proceeded to the VFW observance and the same groups spoke again. The next day was our Past Commander’s dance, where we honored Paul Attard (very deserving).  I would like to thank everyone who came early Saturday morning to clean and decorate the hall.  Terrific job guys!  Thanks also go out to 3^rd Vice Tom Bissell, who not only planned the event, but also ran the night’s festivities.  He did an outstanding job!  I am also grateful to AmVets Post 48 for donating the beer, wine and soda.  I also have to mention Claire Scola and 2^nd Vice Ilona Torraca for their help in the kitchen.  I am saving the biggest and best thank you for last….Josephine Molinari.  As usual, Josephine stepped up and prepared a great meal that was enjoyed by all.  Her dedication and devotion to Post 155 is remarkable! Thanks Jo. On December 7^th we had our Pearl Harbor ceremony.  Also participating were the AmVets, VFW and the Disabled American Veterans.  Thanks to everyone who came out on a rainy day to honor their memory. We moved our Holiday Party to Sunday afternoon instead of after the meeting so everyone could enjoy themselves during the day and not worry about being out too late.  Thanks again to everyone who helped.  Josephine Molinari again took matters in hand and prepared the food as well as bought the raffle prizes.  We all appreciate the great job you did! Next up was our trip to Stony Brook Nursing Home.  We brought many wheel chaired patients down to the main meeting room where they were entertained by a singer who got everyone in the holiday spirit.  At the end of the evening we gave out scratch off lottery tickets to everyone before getting them back to their rooms. Now its on to the next year and I wish everyone health and happiness.  I would like to see more members at our meetings.  If it’s been a while, why don’t you come down one Tuesday night?  We would love to see you. All the best

Membership 1st Vice

            Our paid up membership stands at 189 members as of Dec.14th  We have a goal of 204 paid members so please, if you have not done so, send in your dues as soon as you can. If there is a hardship, please let me know and I will address it confidentially. Do not let your membership lapse. New members are very important to any organization, if there is someone you want me to talk to about joining please let me know

3^rd Vice

            The Post held its Past Commander’s Dinner Dance honoring Paul Attard on Nov. 12^th. a special thanks goes out to Josephine Molinari, Clare Scolla, and 2nd Vice CDR Ilona Torraca who prepared a fine meal. Legion member volunteers once again cleaned the kitchen, dining area, and restrooms prior to the event. One of the features of the evening was member recognition of his/her five year (interval) anniversary with the American Legion. Forty Seven of our comrades celebrated anniversaries out of a Post membership in excess of 200 Legionnaires. Those in attendance at the dinner were presented certificates by the current Post CDR, Ed Teller; all others will receive theirs by mail after the first of the year. Congratulations to all; a breakdown by anniversary year (Plus number of members receiving) follows: 55th (2), 40th (1), 35th (1), 30th (3), 25th (4), 20th (5), 15th (4), 10th (8), 5th (19) One final note: The 50/50 Raffle that many of you participated in had three prizes. It is interesting to note that the first prize was won by a member who lives out of state. Thank you for your support as it goes a long way toward sustaining Post activities.

Service Officer

            I would like to thank all the Members who showed up at our Holiday party for the Veterans at Stony Brook Veterans Home. Volunteers are really needed for all of the up coming events. Please call Wayne at 631-467-1875 or see me at the meeting.

Post General News

            The Post would like to thank all the members, families, and organizations that attended and helped in having a great Past Commander Dance this year. The food was great. The Post and its members would like to thank Josephine Molinari for cooking the food this year. The Past Commander’s Dance was a great success, thanks to Tom Bissell, and all the volunteers. Thanks to all the members and their families for coming to the Post Holiday Party. I hope everyone out there is doing fine. The Post and members wish everyone a Merry Christmas, a Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year. See you at the next event or Post meeting. If anyone wants to rent the Hall call (631-588- 8608)

SO, REALLY, CAN WE STILL CALL IT CHRISTMAS?

“Twas two weeks before Christmas, when I thought I should start, putting fingers to keyboard, doing my part, of broaching a subject that’s caused quite a flap. I’ll give you my views, and then take a nap. The topic I’ve chosen may give rise to debate, for its been in the news quite often of late. And the news I’ve been hearing has been very depressing, it just seems to me that we’re truly regressing. We are now being told we can’t use certain terms. One would think we were spreading the deadliest of germs and displaying an object that truly hold dear, is now cautiously done with apprehension and fear, Of retaliation, even worse being sued, by that great social club, the ACLU. For they feel they know what is best for us folks. Though, personally, I think they’re a bunch of dumb mokes. But I can remember not too long ago, when things were quite different, as I’m sure you all know. A time when this season brought peace and contentment, and all would celebrate without any resentment. A time when decorations were all over your street, and you’d say “Merry Christmas” to all you would meet. When on each neighbors house lights would brilliantly shine, and we’d toast to the season with some homemade red wine. A time for elating those good girls and boys, by stuffing their stockings with candies and toys and wrapping up gifts for our family members, by a warm, cozy fire; just fitting for December. A time when we found ourselves eating too much, Snacking on cookies, and brownies, and such. and our moms would be cooking for hours on end, a feast we would share with our family and friends. A time spent decorating our home with a tree, full of colorful lights for everyone to see. With cherished, old ornaments, from holidays gone by, and hanging each one brought a tear to the eye. A time of the year that brought mirth and elation, and there was no feeling of discrimination, among all the people we would see every day; All would be celebrating, each in their own way. But the tide has been changing o’er the past several years, And it’s surely been raising much doubt and some fears, about our traditions, our values and such. Our focus has shifted entirely too much. We read in the paper, or watch on TV, That some group has complained about lighting a tree, at a public display in a park or town square,’ Cause other holidays symbols are not there. So to make all folks happy, and not cause division, A judge is called in to make a decision, On what’s in good taste, and what might be offensive, on what is appropriate and not too intensive. And the same holds true when go to a store, you rarely see the phrase “Merry Christmas” anymore. For it’s being replaced with “Happy Holidays”. “Seasons greeting is another that’s quite common nowadays. And the hustle and bustle has most everyone stressed out, Regardless which holidays we are talking about. With shopping and scurrying from Macy’s to Kohl’s, and trying to park at the Smith Haven Mall. We search through the aisle, on the shelves and the racks with so much to do there’s no time to relax. We’re running without rhyme and reason, missing the point of this wonderful season. So “Merry Christmas”, “Happy Hanukkah”, “Great Festival of Lights”, “Joyous Kwanza”, “Happy Ramadan”, which ever you deem right. Go celebrate and enjoy them, with family and friends, and as for this bickering, let us hope it soon ends