AT-EAZE Legion News  September/October 2013 Newsletter

What’s going on at the Legion . . .

Thank You for the opportunity to serve as the Commander for another year. This year has been interesting for sure. I am learning more of the requirements with the help of our long time members and officers... Many of you have seen the work that has been done in the Post, we are still doing what we can and doing our very best to keep our cost to a minimum. Much of the work was long over due. The Club Room is looking so much better , stop in for a look yourself. Business has been slow but it is a normal thing for this time of year. One of the concerns I do have is the negative comments being made by a few who in turn start the rumor mill going a full speed! Many of the ones I have heard are based on anything other then a personal dislike of another person. It is all unfair to the rest of our members and the over-all well being of our Post. They undermine the progress of moving into the future and bringing in funds to keep us operating and making dona-tions. So for the good of the Post and our mission as The Legion Family please stop and put an end to it. It is

okay to disagree with something or someone, the place is in the meeting to figure it out. The Club Room is a area we all go to enjoy, relax, un-wind from the day, Not deal with the Post business. The Post business is conducted by the Executive Board which was elected by the Legion members. The American Legion has a good foundation and it was built on the concept of FAMILY which has been a phrase being used THE LEGION FAMILY , our Post has had many a family members holding offices at the same time and has done well, I address because my wife was elected as the Auxiliary President this year, my oldest girl has been the Sgt at Arms and my sister in-law is now an employee . My family has been a huge support to our Post and I am very proud of them all. They are doing the same thing we (as a family) did when I was in the service, support-ing fellow military families and service members. My family has been a part of the military for over 23 years so they do understand the need of those returning and still serving. We as part of The Legion Family are members of this Post to help support all veterans, their families and our community . Please set aside per-sonal differences and stay focused on the real reason me belong. My e-mail is smithfarmplano@aol.com or you may call my cell at 630-327-7170 if you have a question or concern. I do recommend attending a General meeting with your concerns and facts or request to attend an Executive Board meeting. To those members who have not been to a meeting in some time, I ask you to please come on back in and help us move into the future after all it is your Post.

Robert Whitmer, Commander

Legion Family, as I continue to serve in the roll as Jr. Vice Commander I am proud to offer my service and support to an organization that I truly believe in and I look forward to promoting our events, programs and our post over this next year. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the newly elected officers of the Legion, Auxiliary and SAL. I hope this year proves to be a productive, prosperous and positive year for OUR POST. OUR POST . . . I would like everyone to listen to those words. This post is a part of every newly elected officer. As officers we represent this post whether at the post or somewhere in the community. Let us remember the definition of the word OFFICER - One who holds an office of authority or trust. Be proud to say that you are a standing officer of this post and be ready to offer information about events and programs of the post. Be willing and able to offer service in one of our many programs or events. Remember our events can only be successful when we have leadership and volunteers to help. I would also like to challenge every officer here to make a difference. This post has many obstacles in its path to success but none that can not be fixed. As Officers we must lead from the top down and positive efforts, positive attitudes and positive energy is contagious. All of us as offic-ers and members CAN overcome any issue that come our way and we can continue to grow this post into the place we all want it to be. Being part of the legion has always held a special place in my life, not just because I served in the armed forces in the past but because of the events, projects, and comradely that is shared here at the legion I want to not only keep that feeling alive, but to share it with everyone I meet. Lets not lose sight of the big picture here at the Legion. We are here to serve and support Veterans there families and the local community. Again I would like to thank you for your service and I look forward to a great year here at the legion!

Ralph Torres, Jr. Vice Commander

Weekly Events

Line Dancing every Tues. at 7pm Lightning Raffle Fridays at 6pm

Weekly Drink Specials

By order of the I.R.S. I am required to have the DD-214 of each mem-ber of Leon Burson Post 395 on the property at all times. This is nec-essary information to qualify the post for non-profit status. What I need from each member is a copy of your DD-214. This information will be kept in a locked safe in a locked drawer. Your information will be as safe as the Honor Guard rifles. I only need a copy, it does not need to be notarized. I am sure this will be an inconvenience to all of you, I’m sorry, it’s the law. Please help me accomplish this as due to the new privacy law I cannot go to the courthouse to get the needed infor-mation.

David Hulne, Adjutant

Where has the News-letter been?

I have been asked this question many times over the past few months. All I can say is that I am sorry for the issues and confusion that it has caused. I take full responsibility for the lack of a newsletter over the past months. It was

not the Executive Board, other Officers or other units (SAL or Auxilia-ry) responsibility to step up and fill the void. We (I) had many other projects that I was involved in here at the Legion and the Newsletter paid the price. I have recruited Jen Schane to assist with the Newsletter moving forward. Our goal is to publish a September and October edition shortly. If you have any questions, comments or complaints concerning the newsletter please direct them my way. (torres_post395@comcast.net) Thank you for your continued support in all that we do here at the Legion!

Ralph Torres, Jr. Vice Commander

Plano American Legion held there officer installation on August 11th.Newly installed officers are: top left to right Robert Patton-Historian, Jim Hill-Judge Advocate, Loren Christensen-Chaplain, seat-ed left to right Robert Whitmer-Commander, Dennis Whitmer-Sr Vice Commander, Ralph Torres-Jr. Vice Commander, Art Killey-Finance Officer. Not in photo Dave Hulne-Post Adjutant, Jerry Salois-Sgt at Arms. (Photo by Jim Likeness)

Plano American Legion Auxilary held there officer installation on August 11th Newly installed officers are: top left to right Theresa Majchrzak-Chaplain, Jean Ann George-Treasurer, Melaine Herrod-Past President and Installing Officer, seated left to right Diana Hupe-2nd Vice & Membership, Luann Whitmer-President, Denel Whitmer-Sgt at Arms. Not in Photo Sarah Wily-Secretary (Photo by Jim Likeness)

Miss Quincy, Cristina Hanna, at the Memorial Day ceremonies 2013

May 2013 Annual Keubrich Blood Drive

Poppy Days 2013 Charles Ramsden, Donna Ramsden-Needham & 1967 Poppy Days Josiah Ramsden, Past Post Commander (dcd). 4 generations of Ramsden’s have been and are members of Post 395, signing up in August 2014 are the 5th generation members– Elizabeth Hansel and Amatta Vann (great-grandmother Donna, above).

Auxiliary News: Don’t forget meetings are the first

Tuesday of every month unless posted otherwise. The Auxiliary hosts Line Dancing every Tuesday 7-9, $5 donation entry fee.

Our Poppy Days in May were a huge success due to all of your volunteer hours, support and hard work. Please give yourself a big pat on the back for supporting the needs of the Veterans we host Poppy Days for – they truly appreciate (and so do I) all the effort you put in and the honor you show wearing your poppy year round, sincerely I thank you all for helping and donating. ‘Miss Quincy’ Cristina Hanna joined us on the Memorial Day Parade to the cemetery distributing poppys !

The Memorial Annual Keubrich Blood Drive was well attended May 29th. You donated almost 50 pints; the Keubrichs, Heartland Blood Bank and I are all thrilled at your generous donations of time and, of course, blood.

In August during the Plano Smallville Superfest the Auxiliary was again collecting donations for the Kendall County Food Pantry on behalf of Veterans in the area. Thank you for all your donations!

Prepare for the fall events we hold; the Halloween Childrens Party, the Veterans Day Dinner, the Holiday Baskets for homebound-hospitalized-disabled veterans, the Legion Childrens Christmas Party, and hopefully more will be added. We can always use volunteers and donations or baked goods – just let us know.

AJ Torres - Service officer of the "Sons of the American Legion" Plano, IL awarded John

Moisa a Citation of Appreciation for his outstanding flag display at his residents. Torres is chairman of this recognition program as part

of Americanism at the Legion.

Post Officer elections where held in June.

The Officer Installation ceremony was held August 11st at the

Post. The new Officers are:

Commander Sr. Vice Commander Jr. Vice Commander Post Adjutant Finance Officer Chaplain Sgt. at Arms Judge Advocate Historian Service Officer Squadron Advisor

Mike Rennels Tommy Johns Marty Lincoln Jerry Nauman Jeff Newkirk Don Moss Frank Donahue Dan Meich Bob Flemming Alexander Torres Jim Hill

If you know of a member that is not online and would like to

receive our newsletter by mail drop a note with their information

into the suggestion box.

John Moisa

SAL meetings are held the first

Thursday of the month!

The Lounge has new Chips! OLD chips expire in October

Since the American Legion Riders were es-tablished here in Plano we have been busy supporting sister rider units in the area. Welcome homes, Special Events and Honor rides and just social rides are all part of being part of the Legion Riders. Own a Motorcycle and want to get involved? Contact us at the post! Ralph Torres, Jr. Vice Commander

Upcoming Events THE MOVING WALL

FIELD OF HONOR

AURORA, IL

VIETNAM VETERAN MEMORIAL WALL

NOVEMBER 7-11, 2013

Come down and check out one of our many raffles going on and take a

chance at winning one of our great prizes!

Complains, Suggestion and Praise . . .

PRAISE - Sheila, Jen and Judy are the best! RESPONSE - Thanks, we are glad they are here PRAISE - Remodeling look great RESPONSE - Thanks to all our volunteers SUGGESTION - Put Accordion door s on the lower hall RESPONSE - DONE SUGGESTION - Curious about the direction of the club RESPONSE - Moving forward, to make things more efficient, productive and attractive to new visitors SUGGESTION - put mirror back up behind the bar RESPONSE - Mirror has been replaced with a chalk board to advertise specials SUGGESTION - Buy the Tasty Freeze property RESPONSE - At this time the property is too expensive and not in the budget of the legion at this time SUGGESTION - Trim wood needs to be painted RESPONSE - Its being looked into COMPLAINT - Soap can not be reached by someone in wheel chair in women’s restroom RESPONSE - Its being looked into COMPLAINT - Lights behind bar are too bright RESPONSE - Lights have been repositioned so they are not as bright COMPLAINT - Kitchen upper and lower needs to be organized and cleaned RESPONSE - Its being looked into

Thanks for all you input, keep them coming!

VETERANS and Current members of The Armed Forces, This includes the GUARD and Reserve . The LEON BURSON POST 395, AMERICAN LEGION . 510 E Dearborn St. Plano, IL. 60545 would like you to stop in and find out about the Legion and the role we have within our community. Have you been to the Kendall County Veterans Assistance Commission ( VAC ) 630-553-8354 since you separated from the Service? That is one of the things you need to do ASAP. By doing so you get into the VA system and the staff at the VAC is there to help you. Do you miss the brother/sisterhood and family bonds of the service ? Do you want to help fellow Veterans and your community ? Contact Bob Whitmer, Art McGava, Ralph Torres or Jerry Salois at 630-552-8313 or e-mail me " Bob Whitmer, Post 395 Com-mander" at "planolegion@aol.com " Membership in the American Legion offers several benefits, like discounts from Hotels, Car Rentals, Eye Glasses and more. We are civic minded, involved in our community, school programs, Present Hon-ors for fellow veterans, Welcome Home Service Members when they return. Our Post hold's social and fund raising events on a regular basis. Our Legion Members are all Veterans, The Sons of The Legion, are just that, The Women's Auxiliary are Mothers, Wife's and Daughters of Veterans. Our Post is becoming more active and would really like to have you involved in growth and transition into the future. Post 395 has been a part of Plano for the last 92 years. It was founded at the end of World War I by local service men returning home and saw the need for our Post. Today we still have that need and our mission is the same. I invite anyone to visit our Post and find out more about the Legion's Mission and meet our members. You can find more detail on line via, "www.legion.org" also about our Post at "www.planolegion.org" and on Facebook under Plano American Legion Post 395.

For changes or additions to the Newsletter or Calendar Please Contact Ralph Torres at torres_post395@comcast.net

Eligibility in the American Legion is based on honorable ser-vice with the U.S. Armed Forces between the following dates: (Apr 6, 1917 - Nov 11, 1918) World War I (Dec 7, 1941-Dec 31, 1946)World War II (June 25, 1950 - Jan 31, 1955) Korean War (Feb 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975) Vietnam War (Aug 24, 1982 - July 31, 1984) Lebanon/Grenada (Dec 20, 1989 - Jan 31, 1990) Operation Just Cause (Aug 2, 1990 - *) Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm *Because eligibility dates remain open, all members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to join The American Legion at this time, until the date of the end of hostilities as deter-mined by the government of the United States. You must have served at least one day of active military duty dur-ing one of the dates above and honorably discharged or still serving honorably. For any questions please contact our membership chairman, or stop at the Post. An appli-cation form is available at our website. www.planolegion.org.

Don’t forget Newsletter is now Electronic! If you want it emailed

directly too you email Ralph Torres at torres_post395@comcast.net

If you want like a hard copy. We will have some available

at the post for pickup

Medical Aids available at the Post. The user DOES NOT need to be a Legion Member.

There is NO charge. Call us.