Salvo - August 2021
COMMANDER’S CORNER
As I write my first Commander’s Corner, I want to thank all members for your support. I look forward to your guidance and assistance as our Post resumes many of the activities which were cancelled or delayed due to Covid19 in 2020 and 2021. Eric Ardell led us through a challenging time and initiated major changes to our meetings and community programs successfully. Please join me in expressing appreciation to Eric for all he accomplished to make Post 246 a leader in District 9 and Department of California. Please continue to give your suggestions for speakers to Michelle Lee and for Post activities and programs to any of the 2021-2022 Officers and Executive Committee members. Please also raise awareness about issues affecting veterans, active-duty military personnel, and youth in our community for action by our Post. Please check out our website at www.americanlegionpost246.org. Jordan Orvik, the son of Rusty Orvik, helped the Post to enhance the website over the last year.
Mark Heinemann
UPCOMING EVENTS
**** Every Saturday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm Coffee at the Vets Hall***
August 4th, Wednesday NO Regular meeting
August 12th, Thursday Social Event, Black Bear Diner, Danville
August 21st, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
August 30th, Monday Blue Star Moms Paper Shred Fundraiser, Caldwell Banker Realty, Livery, 101 Sycamore Valley Road, Danville, 1-4 pm
September 1st, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker TBA, 12:00 pm
September 4th, Saturday Kiwanis “4th of July” Parade
September 6th, Monday Labor Day
September 10th to 13th, Friday-Monday Stand Down on the Delta, CCC Fairgrounds, Antioch
September 11th, Saturday Patriot Day
September 18th, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
October 3rd, Sunday Boys & Girls State Recognition Luncheon, 1:00 pm
October 16th, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
November 3rd, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, 12:00 pm, Beverly Lane
November 11th, Saturday Veterans Day
November 11th to 14th Thursday-Sunday Pop-up VMB Museum, All Day
November 20th, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
November 25th, Thursday Thanksgiving Day
December 1st, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, 12:00 pm, David Compton
December 11th, Saturday Army - Navy Game, VMB, 12 noon
December 18th, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
December 18th, Saturday Wreaths Across America, Alamo Cemetery, 10:00 am
December 25th, Saturday Christmas Day
AUGUST SOCIAL EVENT
Post 246 is holding a no-host social event at 6:00 PM on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at the Black Bear Diner (807 Camino Ramon, Danville) since we do not schedule a regular meeting in August. If you and your spouse/guest, as appropriate, plan to attend, please confirm by sending your RSVP to marklheinemann@gmail.com as soon as possible.
MEETING SPEAKERS
September – Our speaker is to be confirmed.
October – Delegates to Girls State and Boys State will speak about their experiences.
November – Beverly Lane, Museum of the San Ramon Valley, will speak about the history of San Ramon Valley veterans. December – David Crompton, Diane Freidman, and Diana Elrod will discuss California State laws on housing and Town of Danville plans to implement housing initiatives.
DISTRICT 9
Mike Clement will assume the position of District 9 Commander for 2021 - 2022 from Randy Reid on July 27, 2021. Please support Mike as District 9 Commander and thank Randy for completing a challenging year as District 9 Commander. Randy implemented many changes during the past year to support efforts of the eight posts in District 9 and maintained a high level of leadership by example for District 9 posts.
MEMBERSHIP
As you know, it is now time to renew your membership for calendar year 2022. 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 are done; or,
2) send the Post a check for $45 to PO Box 133, Danville, CA 94526 and we will process it for you.
Please welcome these new members to our post:
• Kristopher Edwards, a first Gulf War Navy vet, a transfer from Post 1000
• Timothy Greenhouse, a Plebe at the US Military Academy, a new member
• Lily Holtmeier, a Plebe at the US Military Academy, a new member
• Mary O'Donnell, USCG (ret), a new member and our July speaker
• Joseph Toscano, a Panama era vet, a transfer from Post 1000.
KEEP YOUR VA MEDICAL RECORDS UPDATED
If you received a COVID-19 vaccine outside of VA, please help keep your medical records updated. How can you do that?
• Bring your COVID-19 vaccination card to any VA NorCal location and present it to one of the VA clerks.
• Take a picture of your COVID-19 vaccination card. Send a copy of the card to your care team in a Secure Message on the My HealtheVet website.
• Fax a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card to 916-366-5376.
If you have questions, please call 1-800-382-8387.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Phil Connolly is finalizing the plan approved at the June 2, 2021 regular meeting to invest funds from the Post savings account in a fund made available by the East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) to non-profit organizations. Veterans Memorial Building of the San Ramon Valley invested funds successfully through the EBCF.
STAND DOWN ON THE DELTA
Stand Down on the Delta 2021 "Volunteer Registration" is open. To volunteer September 7-17, 2021, click on the "CLICK HERE" link below or go to www.deltaveteransgroup.org and click on the link to pick the day and time that you want to volunteer. Stand Down on the Delta made "Unity" the theme and will recognize the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001 with a special ceremony.
Stand Down On The Delta 2021
Volunteers Needed!
September 10-13 Stand Down On The Delta is a 4 day, 3 night event in which Veterans are provided medical and dental, court and legal services, DMV, housing, addiction and mental health counseling, employment, and a myriad of other community services at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds located in Antioch, CA Your support will help out veterans and their families in the greatest need to make the toughest transition of their lives. We will be remembering 9/11 during this event at a special 20th Anniversary ceremony on Saturday
CLICK HERE to register
CCC VETS SERVICE OFFICE
The virtual office is accessible from the County’s Veterans Service Office website at contracosta.ca.gov/vets. In the virtual office, Veterans can receive assistance with filing for VA benefits from an accredited Veterans Service Representative. The Contra Costa County Veterans Service Office (VSO) is accepting appointments for meetings at the Veterans Memorial Building, Room 208, 400 Hartz Avenue, Danville, CA. Veterans can schedule appointments every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please call the VSO office at (925) 313-1481 to schedule an appointment.
FLAG RETIREMENT
2nd Vice Commander Alan Scharlach, our Chartered Representative for Scouting, visited Oakmont Mortuary in June which graciously retired our American Flags. The ashes were placed in a position of honor inside an Ossuary dedicated for that purpose.
DANVILLE PARADE
Kiwanis moved the 4th of July parade in the Town of Danville to Labor Day weekend on Saturday, 4 September 2021. We are working on arranging a color guard, military vehicles, a PG&E truck, and Boy Scout support. Contact Eric Ardell if you want to ride in a military or PG&E vehicle. Contact Mark Heinemann if you want to participate as a member of the color guard.
VETERANS DAY
Post 246 will sponsor a display on “Women in the Military” at the VMB Community Hall on November 11-14, 2021. Please contact Eric Ardell, Michelle Lee, or Mark Heinemann to support the Post’s effort to develop a great display.
DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA CONVENTION
The Department convention took place 25-27 June 2021 virtually. Randy Reid as District 9 Commander attended the virtual meeting along with Eric Ardell, Mark Heinemann, Bob Landy, Michelle Lee, and Raoul Miranda as Post 246 delegates. The convention accepted several amendments to the Department of California bylaws.
VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING FUNDRAISER
The flyer for the upcoming Veterans Memorial Building fundraiser on Monday August 30, 2021 provides details of this fundraiser. This event is a “Tips for Change” event at Gianni’s Italian Bistro. It is the only event for the year to fund all the activities at the VMB. Please support this highly important fundraiser.
2022 CRAB FEED
Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 29, 2022 as our Post plans to bring back the live, in-person crab feed and auction.
UNIFORM ITEMS AVAILABLE
We have the following Legion uniform items available for purchase (no shipping or taxes required):
Plain Short-Sleeved Uniform Shirt with patches (size Med) (2) - $20.00 ea
(These shirts are new but purchased from a local uniform shirt company years ago; patches are sewed on)
Legion Metal Collar Devices (10) - $10.95 ea
Navy Blue Polo with white neck trim (Medium) - $29.95
Black Polo with white neck trim (Medium) - $29.95
Navy Blue Polo no trim (X-Large) - $29.95
Navy Blue Polo no trim (X-Large) - $29.95
Legion Cap (size 7) new - $49.95
Legion Cap (size 7) used – $19.95
Call Eric Ardell if you would like to make a purchase!!
FLAG & EMBLEM STORE
Alan Scharlach (cab1ho@sbcglobal.net) is our post “Supply Officer” and will 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. If you call Alan, please leave a detailed message.
ATTENTION: STAMP COLLECTORS
Our fellow member, Dr. Bob Mixson, receives postage stamps for his collection from the Wounded Warrior Program. He would like to pass on, completely free, the stamps that he cannot use to other veterans who collect stamps. If you are interested, you can contact him at 925-899-6018.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Not only must we be good, but we must also be good for something.”
– Henry David Thoreau –
