Salvo - Dec 2021
COMMANDERS CORNER
Buddy Calls are continuing as we check on the welfare of Post 246 members. If you can help with Buddy Calls, please contact Eric Ardell. We are concentrating on those members whom we have not reached yet. We want to make sure you are doing well and will ask if you need any assistance. If we have left you a voice mail or sent you an email or letter, please give us a call back and let us know how you are doing. You support our post, and we are here to support you.
The meeting schedule for 2022 is posted at the end of this month’s Salvo. Please add meeting dates to your calendars. We will enjoy another great line-up of speakers at our meetings in 2022. I hope to see you at our upcoming meetings. Please consider volunteering to replace Michelle Lee as Program Director whose responsibilities include finding speakers for our meetings. Let Michelle or me know if you are willing to take over the Program Director position.
Please remember to confirm attendance at our regular meeting luncheons and events by leaving a message at (925) 272-8480 or to commanderpost246@gmail.com
Mark Heinemann
UPCOMING EVENTS
**** Every Saturday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm Coffee at the Vets Hall
December 1, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, David Compton, 12:00 pm
December 11, Saturday Army - Navy Game, VMB, 12:00 pm
December 11, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
December 18, Saturday Wreaths Across America, Alamo Cemetery, 11:00 am
December 19, Sunday Executive Committee special meeting, 2:00 pm
December 25, Saturday Christmas Day
January 1, Saturday New Year’s Day
January 5, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, TBA, 12:00 pm
January 15, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
January (TBD) Post Oratorical Contest
January 22 to 29, Saturday to Saturday Crab Feed On-Line Auction Fundraiser
January 29, Saturday Crab Feed Dinner & Fundraiser, 5:00 pm
February 2, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, TBA, 12:00 pm
February 19, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
March 2, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, TBA, 12:00 pm
March 19, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
March 19, Saturday VMB Corned Beef and Cabbage Fundraiser, 5:30 pm
April 6, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, TBA, 12:00 pm
April 16, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
May 4, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, TBA, 12:00 pm
May 21, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
MEETING SPEAKERS
December 1, 2021 – David Crompton and Diane Freidman will discuss California State laws on housing and Town of Danville plans to implement housing initiatives.
2022 – Please continue to give your suggestions for speakers to Michelle Lee until her replacement is named and for Post activities and programs to any of the 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.
MEMBERSHIP
Please renew your membership for calendar year 2022. About 75% of our members have renewed their membership through mid-November. You can renew using two easy ways: 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.
NEW MEMBER
Please welcome Michelle Haines. Michelle served in the US Air Force and currently works for a non-profit that serves seniors. Her hobbies include hiking, sports, photography, music, and cooking.
VETERANS DAY
Post 246 sponsored a display on “Women in the Military” at the VMB Community Hall for the Veterans Day Pop Up Museum. Please congratulate Michelle Lee, Steering Committee Chair (center); Elizabeth Freitas (right); Mary O’Donnell (left); and Patty Wernet (MOAA) who designed and staffed our outstanding display. Congratulations to the Smith, Proctor, and Evans families who won books in the raffle.
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA. ALAMO CEMETERY
Post 246 is again supporting Wreaths Across America Ceremony honoring the veterans interred at Alamo Cemetery at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 18, 2021. After the opening ceremony, we will place wreaths at marked gravesites. Our post will provide unloading and stationing support before the ceremony on Saturday.
Yes, we are returning to an in-person, live Crab Feed Dinner with a twist by combining it with an online auction during the week leading up to the dinner. We will hold a live auction and raffle during the dinner at 5:00 PM on Saturday, January 29, 2022. Contact Bob Sada for tickets which are $55 per person due to increased costs since the 2019 Crab Feed Dinner.
Let’s make this the best Crab Feed we have held and remember all the funds we raise go to help veterans and our community!
We need your help with the following:
1. Send us the name and contact information of businesses and organizations that you know which may make donations for the event. Merchandise, gift cards, services, goody baskets, and other donations are all great!
2. Volunteer to help with these aspects of the event, such as donation letter delivery and follow-up, donation pickups, banquet hall set up, food purchase and delivery, supplies purchase, appetizer plates for the event, event check-in, raffle and drink ticket sales, banquet hall clean up, and online auction item pickup/delivery. Contact any of the Post 246 officers and let us know how you will help.
CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DINNER
VMB VSOs will host a Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner and Fundraiser at the Veterans Memorial Building Community Hall at 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 19, 2022. Please save the date.
POST PHOTOGRAPHER
Like to take pictures with an iPhone or camera? We need YOU!! We are looking for a post photographer(s) to help capture pictures and videos of our post activities.
Please call or contact a Post Officer or Executive Committee member if you are interested.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
The post expects to complete investment of funds from the post savings account in East Bay Community Foundation investment funds available to non-profit organizations as approved at the June 2, 2021 regular meeting. Veterans Memorial Building of the San Ramon Valley invested funds successfully through the EBCF.
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, please contact him.
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?
1. Bring your COVID-19 vaccination card to any VA NorCal location and present it to one of the VA clerks.
2. 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.
3. Fax a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card to 916-366-5376.
If you have questions, please call 1-800-382-8387.
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.
STAND DOWN ON THE DELTA
Stand Down on the Delta 2021 was postponed to 2022 after consulting with Department of Veterans Health and Contra Costa County Health Department. Contra Costa County Fairgrounds is secured with the following schedule:
3 to 6 June 2022 / Stand Down
Alan Scharlach is serving as our “Supply Officer” and will order items for post members. Go to emblem.legion.org to do your shopping; then email Alan with the item number, quantity, color, and any other details needed to purchase the item you want. If you call Alan, please leave a detailed message including your call back number.
UNIFORM ITEMS AVAILABLE FROM POST 246 INVENTORY
Contact Eric Ardell or Mark Heinemann if you would like to purchase Legion uniform items (no shipping or taxes required) from Post 246 inventory:
Plain Short-Sleeved Uniform Shirt with patches (size Med) (2) - $20.00 ea.
Legion Metal Collar Devices (8) - $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
CUB SCOUT PACK 997 POPCORN SALES
Pack 997 Information (http://cubpack997.org)
Pack 997 was established in Fall 2012 at Live Oak Elementary School. Pack 997 currently consists of 90 scouts (boys and girls) from K-5th grade and is led by parent volunteers. Popcorn fundraiser accounts for one-half of the pack budget and is used to cover: - BSA National and Council Fees - Boys Life Magazine Subscription - Awards: Rank Badge, Adventure Belt loops/pins and participation patches - Subsidize outdoor/STEM activities like camping, pinewood derby, space derby - Supplies and Facilities Fees
1. Online Store: https://www.trails-end.com/store/scout/BK8FDLT1. Shipping is free for orders >$55. Popcorn typically is shipped within a week with exception for chocolate products to start shipping in October.
2. Pack Donation: 100% of your donation will be used towards Pack 997 activities. Please email pack997.sanramon@gmail.com for details
LAS POSITAS COLLEGE “ADOPT A FAMILY”
Several Post 246 members adopted a Las Positas College student veteran’s family in 2020. Please consider helping out by following the instructions in the flyer which follows:
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POST OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Post Officers for 2021-2022:
Commander: Mark Heinemann
1st V. Cmdr: Michelle Lee
2nd V. Cmdr: Alan Scharlach
3rd V. Cmdr: Eric Ardell
Adjutant: Bob Landy
Finance: Phil Connolly
Chaplain: Jon Heinson
Historian: Gerald Lindahl
Judge Advocate: Ron Lowe
Sgt-at-Arms: Floyd Cox
Service Officer:
Junior Past Commander: Eric Ardell
Executive Committee:
Gary Soto
Dick Seavey
Ron Roe
Neil Giles
Mary O’Donnell
Appointed Officers & Committee Chairpersons
Asst Adjutant: Mike Yura
Asst Finance: Raoul Miranda
Asst Sgt-at-Arms: Raoul Miranda
Supply Officer: Alan Scharlach
Boys State: Eric Ardell
Girls State: Michelle Lee
Oratorical: Neil Giles
Program Dir: Michelle Lee
Scouting Rep: Alan Scharlach
VMB Ops Committee: Bob Landy
Museum Committee: Ron Farrell
Protocol Officer: Floyd Cox
Board of Trustees: Ron Lowe / Eric Ardell
East Bay Standdown Rep: Mark Heinemann
Veterans Outreach: Mark Heinemann
Post Website: www.americanlegionpost246.org
Post Webmaster: Rusty Orvik and Sons
Salvo Editor: Mark Heinemann / Eric Ardell
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 133, Danville, CA 94526
Message Center: (925) 272-8480
Email Address: commanderpost246@gmail.com
Keep saving your pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters for donation to Helmets for Heroes at a future meeting!!
2022 MEETING SCHEDULE – POST 246
Regular Meetings (First Wednesday of the Month from 12:00 to 3:00 PM in the Second Floor Meeting Room, Veterans Memorial Building)
05 January 2022
02 February 2022
02 March 2022
06 April 2022
04 May 2022
01 June 2022
06 July 2022
No meeting in August
07 September 2022
02 October 2022 Meeting is in the VMB Community Hall to recognize 2022 Boys State and Girls State Delegates (No meeting on 05 October 2022)
02 November 2022
07 December 2022
10 December 2022 (Army-Navy Game Potluck)
Officers and Executive Committee Meetings (Third Saturday of the Month from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM in the Second Floor Meeting Room)
15 January 2022
19 February 2022
19 March 2022
16 April 2022
21 May 2022
18 June 2022
No Meeting in July
20 August 2022
17 September 2022
15 October 2022
19 November 2022
10 December 2022 (Changed due to expected conflict with Wreaths Across America at Alamo Cemetery on 17 December 2022)
DISTRICT 9
Next regular meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, 18 January 2022 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 930 Ward Street, Martinez. Regular meetings are held on the third Tuesday of odd numbered months.
