Salvo - September 2020
Original Document (with images)
COMMANDERS CORNER
I still do not have good news on regular meetings so we will do another ZOOM meeting for September; we have a premium account now so I am hoping more can join us. We are going back to meeting on Wednesday, 2 September at 12:00 pm. That weekend is Labor Day weekend and I am sure most have other plans. The state is still mandating you wear a mask and social distance. Let us do our part and wear them in any public setting. We will install officers at our ZOOM meeting in September along with other business. ZOOM Invitation will be sent out near the end of the month. I want to thank all of you who have renewed your membership for 2021 including our Paid Up For Life (PUFLs). We are at 65% renewed already as of 8/15/20 and that is great! Thank you all for your continued support for this great organization and our local post. Thank you also to all of you who supported the VMB Fundraiser by ordering takeout food from Gianni’s. It turned out to be a great success raising over $4,000 for the Building Operating Fund. Thank you again for your support. Your Executive Committee continues work on several projects I detailed last month and will let you know when any are ready to go prime time. Please welcome James Candy, our newest member transferring from Post 1601 (Dept Admin). He is an Vietnam era Air Force veteran living here in Danville. Finally, congratulations to Mike Mundle for his graduation from Army War College; this is an outstanding accomplishment for Mike as a reservist! Stay safe and wear your masks!!!
Eric, Commander
UPCOMING EVENTS
**** Every Saturday 9 to 12 Coffee at the Vets Hall **** Still on hold
September 2nd, Wednesday Zoom meeting with speaker, 12:00 pm
September 7th, Monday Labor Day
September 19th, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
October 7th, Wednesday Regular Meeting with speaker, 12:00 pm
October 12th, Monday Columbus Day
October 17th, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
October 31st, Saturday Halloween
November 3rd, Tuesday Election Day
November 4th, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, 12:00 pm TBD
November 7th/8th, Saturday & Sunday Outside VMB Museum Displays
November 11th, Wednesday Veterans Day
November 21st, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
November 26th, Thursday Thanksgiving Day
December 2nd, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, 12:00 pm
December 19th, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
December 25th, Friday Christmas Day
January 1st, Friday New Years Day
MEMBERSHIP
For those of you who have not renewed your membership yet, there are two easy ways to renew: 1) go to www.legion.org and click on the RENEW button, fill out the form, and you’re done. Or send us a check for $45 to our PO Box address and we will process it for you.
FLAG & EMBLEM STORE
The post now has a Tax-Free account with the Flag & Emblem Store. Alan Scharlach is our post “Supply Officer” and is available to order items for individual post members. Go to https://emblem.legion.org/ to do your shopping; then email Alan with the item number, quantity, color, and any other item details needed to purchase the item you want. PROTOCOL NOTE The American Legion revised several areas of focus to better focus on serving America’s veterans. The National Executive Committee of the American Legion recently passed Resolution 5, which revises its vision, mission, values, and motto. Vision: “The American Legion strengthens America by improving the lives of our veterans, the military and their families.” Mission Statement: “The American Legion strengthens our communities, states and nation with programs and services for our veterans, the military and their families.”
Motto: “Veterans Strengthening America.”
Value Principles:
▪ A VETERAN IS A VETERAN – which means The American Legion embraces all current and former members of the military and endeavors to help them transition into their communities.
▪ SELFLESS SERVICE –which means The American Legion celebrates all who contribute to something larger than themselves and inspires others to serve and strengthen America.
▪ AMERICAN VALUES AND PATRIOTISM – which means The American Legion advocates for upholding and defending the United States Constitution, equal justice and opportunity for everyone and discrimination against no one, youth education, responsible citizenship and honoring military service by observing and participating in patriotic and memorial events.
▪ FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – which means The American Legion meets the unique needs of local communities.
▪ ADVANCING THE VISION – which means The American Legion educates, mentors and leads new generations of Americans.
▪ HONORING THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US – which means The American Legion pays perpetual respect for all past military sacrifices to ensure they are never forgotten by new generations.
VA ACCESS TOOL
Are you planning on visiting the VA anytime soon? Here’s a tool to get to your appointment for quickly.
(see image in original document)
National Commander Oxford launches 100 Miles for Hope
American Legion Commander Bill Oxford literally took the first steps Aug. 3 on a new campaign to support veterans, military families and their communities. Oxford walked three miles in his hometown of Lenoir, N.C., to kick off the 100 Miles for Hope campaign which benefits The American Legion’s Veterans & Children Foundation (V&CF). He is encouraging members of The Legion Family to accompany him on his journey to cover 100 miles by walking, running, cycling or riding a motorcycle 100 miles over the next 100 days, concluding on Veterans Day. “We have been cooped up and self-isolating for so long that the 100 miles is a way to reintroduce exercise to Legionnaires and the country,” he said, noting the coronavirus. “In addition to what we gain from the exercise, we hope to gain some much-needed donations for our Veterans & Children Foundation.”
To participate, go to the registration page. For a $30 registration fee, participants will receive a slick tech shirt (men’s, women’s, and children’s sizes available), a sign to commemorate their journey and — upon completion — a certificate of accomplishment. Best of all, half of the registration will go directly to the V&CF. Oxford notes that even with Emblem Sales temporarily closed, orders for 100 Mile shirts received by Aug. 10, will be shipped between Aug. 25 and 31. Afterward there are rolling deadlines.
To learn more about the campaign, visit the web page and reference the frequently asked questions for more information.
“This is a great way to exercise and I do that regularly,” he said. “I’m going to be killing two birds with one stone. I’m going to be doing the physical exercise. But it also gives me an opportunity to help the Veterans & Children Foundation. I hope everyone realizes the value in that. Join me in the 100 Miles for Hope. Twenty minutes a day is not too much to ask.”
USAA INSURANCE
To further USAA’s mission of being the provider of choice for the Military Community, they have opened their membership up to all military retirees and those who separated with a ‘discharge type of honorable’.
CONCORD VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE VIRTUAL MEETUP
Missing the camaraderie of being with your fellow military affiliated community? Want to connect with like-minded veterans to talk about relevant topics? Need answers about how to manage your education benefits and other VA programs and services during the pandemic? Join Hector Moncada, Contra Costa College Veteran Program Coordinator, and Maurice Delmer, Concord Vet Center Veterans Outreach Program Specialist, for a weekly virtual meetup every Tuesday from 9am to 10am. We’ll connect and talk about whatever interests you, as well provide resources and referrals to meet your transition needs. Please RSVP with Hector: hmoncada292@contracosta.edu, or myself: maurice.delmer@va.gov, if you are interested in participating, and we will email you a link to join. We look forward to connecting with you.
AMERICAN LEGION BASIC TRAINING COURSE
Learn about the American Legion in this self-paced online course; go to https://www.legion.org/alei.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to
work and give to those who would not."
--
Thomas Jefferson
