Post 155 Veterans Newsletter

DATE OF ISSUE

JUNE 30, 2009

EDITOR: Bob Shadler (631-467-3428)

E-Mail post155@verizon.net

 

REGULAR MEETINGS 1ST & 3RD TUESDAY

8:00 P.M. EVERY MONTH

631-588-8608

www.orgsites.com/ny/post155

 

 ELECTED OFFICERS

 

                                                            Commander: Mike Lowis                               Chaplain: Tom Bissell

                                                            First Vice: Ilone Torraca                                Historian: Mike Gotay

                                                            2nd  Vice: Paul Attard                                    Sergeant: Dan Pierce

                                                            3rd  Vice: Ed Teller                                         Adjutant: Bob Tattanelli

                                                            Service Officer: Wayne Brew                          Treasurer: Bob Shadler

                                                                                                Judge Advocate: Ed Lane

 

TRUSTEES

                                                            Nicholas Biscotto                                                        Bill Bouklas 

                                                            Bob Molinari                         Bob Shadler                   Wayne Brew

 

Commander’s Corner Mike Lowis

            Let me begin by thanking the members of the Post for supporting me becoming Post Commander for a second time.  I am honored to have another chance to serve in this position, and could only do so with the help of my fellow comrades.I know that the calendar says that it is June, despite the weather seeming to be like  late March or April, and we are in the midst of preparing for the summer’s activities including the Northport V.A. Hospital Barbeque, and our own Post Barbeque.  Of the former, I would like to encourage as many members as we can use to assist in helping to make the hospitalized Vets feel a bit happier and give them a treat that they so much deserve.  Our Post’s Barbeque is a bit more involved, as we need “hands and muscle” to prepare the parade grounds, and grilling area to be used for the event.  Again, I would ask that my comrades “pitch in” even for a little while to get the grounds prepared for what I am sure will be a wonderful afternoon of fine food and Legion fellowship.  If you need tickets, see Mr. Wayne Brew – but do it soon, as the event is only weeks away. Looking back momentarily, I would like to recognize a few of our own Legionnaires for their contributions to our Post and the American Legion.  To Mr. Robert Shadler, I extend congratulations on behalf of all the Post’s members on his election to the post of Suffolk County Commander; he becomes one of three Post members to have attained that position.  To Mr. Ed Lane, I extend the same congratulations on his election to the post of Third Division Commander.  I would also congratulate Ms. Illona Toracca and Mr. Louis Brida, co-chairs of the Talent Show Committee on the success of the Talent Show…well done!  I would also like to congratulate my co-chairman for Americanism, Paul Attard on the successful completion of the Flag Day/Flag Retirement Ceremonies held at the Post.  Thanks also to Dom Delorso for his assistance with the “Flag Folding Ceremony” and the officers of the Post and Color Guard.  The event was a rousing success.In closing; I would like to express my deepest hope that this Legion year will see our membership working together to make a difference in our Post, community and in the American Legion itself.  I am certain, that together we will continue to achieve great things if we can all pull together to support the American Legion mission.   Thanks again to all for their much needed help.  Please remember to keep our Brothers and Sisters-in-Arms in your thoughts always, and be ready to give them your heartfelt thanks and welcome when their tour is done.  They are our organization’s future and they will surely need our help, whatever form it might be.  For God and Country, we are one nation, one people…one Legion.

Membership 1st vice Ilona Torraca

First, I’d like to begin by expressing my deepest thanks and appreciation to all my fellow comrades for assisting in making my year as your Second Vice Commander a successful one.  The year went by quickly and smoothly.  It has been a pleasure getting to know all of you a little bit more and please forgive me sometimes as I’m still learning names.  My great project during the past year was planning and organizing our Talent Show/Contest that was held on June 6. and I must state, that it was a huge success for the Post.  I appreciated everyone’s support with this idea and for those that assisted on the big night.  The audience enjoyed themselves, the judges had fun and so did the contestants.

Second, I’d like to also thank my fellow comrades for their endearing and constant faith in my leadership abilities as I have stepped up as your new First Vice Commander.  Upholding the stronghold and principles of democracy while assisting the Commander and acting as Membership Chair will be my primary responsibilities.  So, when you receive your notice for membership dues from our National office, please kindly renew your membership in a prompt manner.  The American Legion is a wonderful organization to belong to and serve for and it would be great to see more of our members attend meetings and annual events.  I also would like to challenge each and every one of you to recruit one new member during this new membership year.  All you need to do is bring your new recruit to a meeting and we’ll take care of the rest.   The eligibility dates are listed on the back of your American Legion Membership Card. I am looking forward to another successful year.

Membership is at an all time high with 214 members paid for 2009

 

2^nd Vice Paul Attard

            This year our poppy fund raiser was the best we ever had.  Our total was approximately $4,400; the community was quite generous.  We could not have done it without all of your help.  I want to thank Bob Molinari, Jerry Schnell, Bob Shadler, Mike Lowis,   Wayne Brew, Bob Tattanelli, Tom Bissell, Cosmo Samillitz, Dom Delorso, Bill Mytko, Lou Brida, Raul Jimenez-Cintron—your help was most appreciated. Comrades, I would like to bring to your attention the Flag Amendment Act. After three years the Flag Amendment Act returns to the US Senate.  Senator David Vitter, along with 17 colleagues introduced Senate Joint Resolution 15; a constitutional amendment to prohibit the physical desecration of the US Flag.  The amendment is concise, “The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States”.  The Flag Amendment has moved successfully into The House of Representatives through six consecutive congresses, only to fail by as little as one vote in the Senate.  The issue has been debated since a 1989 Supreme Court decision struck down flag protection laws in 48 states.  As a 5 to 4 vote of the high court declared that flag burning was permissible; a right under the free speech provision or the First Amendment, groups like the Elks, AMVETS, Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and  part of the 140 organization Citizens’ Flag Alliance continue to work to reinstate the protection.  Legion Members are urged to contact senators and representatives to ask them to sign on as co-sponsors of S.J. Res. 15 and H.J. RES 47.

Service Officer Wayne Brew

            Our next affair is the Annual Barbecue at Northport Veterans Hospital on July 11, 2009. All who are helping out should be at the Post for car pooling at or about 10:00 am. I would also like to remind everyone about our annual Barbecue coming up on Saturday July 25, 2009.  Volunteers are really needed for this event. Please call Wayne for tickets at 631-467-1875 or see me at the meeting.

 

Chaplain Tom Bissell

            Wes Woodland passed away in April. Wes was a WWII Veteran and a member of the Legion for fifty three years. He was in the 40/8 for twenty five years. We will miss him dearly.

Trustee

General Post News

            The Post would like to thank all the members, families, and organizations that attended and helped in having a great  Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony at Raynor Beach Park this year. The Post had their election of officers at the beginning of the month and the new officers are listed on the first page of the newsletter. The Suffolk County Convention went well. Thanks to all the members who showed up at the convention in Brentwood. The new County Commander is Bob Shadler, one of your own members. The members would like to thank Lou Brida for his services last year as Commander. Let’s not forget Nick Biscotto, once a week for over 20 years retiring Flags for the Post. Please make sure to read the upcoming calendar of events listed on the last page. A special thanks to Paul Attard and his crew for selling poppies in the month of May. Don’t forget about our annual barbecue and Atlantic City trip coming up. Tickets are going fast, so please call early. We need your support. See you at the next event or Post meeting. If anyone wants to rent the Hall call (631-588- 8608)