Salvo - June 2022
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Commander’s Corner:
Please join me in congratulating our Post 246 elected Officers and Executive Committee Members: Commander / Michelle Lee; First Vice Commander / Mark Heinemann; Second Vice Commander / Alan Scharlach; and Members of the Executive Committee / Michelle Haines, Gary Soto, and Mike Yura and our appointed officers: Third Vice Commander / Eric Ardell; Adjutant / Bob Landy; Finance Officer / Phil Connolly; Chaplain: / Jon Heinson; Historian / Gerald Lindahl; Judge Advocate / Ron Lowe and Mary O’Donnell; Sgt-at-Arms / Floyd Cox; Service Officer / Leroy Vares; Members of the Executive Committee / Neil Giles and Mary O’Donnell. Please attend the installation of Officers and Executive Committee Members at the regular meeting on July 6, 2022.
Please continue to give your suggestions 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. Best regards, Mark Heinemann
Upcoming Meetings/Events:
**** Every Saturday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm Coffee at the Vets Hall
May 30, Monday Memorial Day Ceremony, San Ramon Memorial Park, 9:30 am
May 30, Monday Memorial Day Ceremony (VNVDV), Oak Hill Park, 10:30 am
May 30, Monday Mount Diablo Beacon Lighting for Memorial Day, 8:30 pm
June 1, Wednesday Regular meeting – Bill Green, Vietnam Vet, 12:00 pm
June 2, Thursday Start – Stand Up on the Delta, Antioch Fairgrounds, 12:00 pm
June 6, Monday End – Stand Up on the Delta, Antioch Fairgrounds, 12:00 pm
June 18, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
July 4, Monday Fourth of July Parade, SRVHS to the Livery, Danville, 9:00 am
July 6, Wednesday Officer Installation / Regular meeting – Vikram Ravi, Eagle Scout, 12:00 pm
July No Officer and Executive Member Meeting in July
August No Regular Meeting in August
August 20, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
September 7, Wednesday Regular evening meeting – Candace Anderson, 6:00 pm
September 17, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
October 2, Sunday Special meeting with Girls State and Boys State Delegates, 12:00 pm
October 15, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
November 2, Wednesday Regular evening meeting – Speaker TBA, 6:00 pm
November 11, Friday Mount Diablo Beacon Lighting for Veterans Day, 5:00 pm
November 19, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
December 7, Wednesday Regular meeting – Speaker TBA, 12:00 pm
December 7, Wednesday Mount Diablo Beacon Lighting for Pearl Harbor Day, 4:45 pm
December 10, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
December 10, Saturday Army-Navy Game Potluck, 10:30 am
December 17, Saturday Wreaths Across America, Alamo Cemetery, 10:00 am
Meetings:
Please continue to give your suggestions for speakers to Mike Yura, Program Director. We are planning evening dinners in September and November. Please remember to confirm attendance at our regular meeting luncheons and events by leaving a message at (925) 272-8480 or sending your email confirmation to commanderpost246@gmail.com. The full meeting schedule for 2022 is on page 7.
District 9
District 9 holds its next regular meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, 19 July 2022 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 930 Ward Street, Martinez. Please let Michelle Lee or Mark Heinemann know if you would like to attend this meeting. The meeting provides an opportunity to learn about activities of other Posts in Contra Costa County and about initiatives of the Department of California.
Membership
Please renew your membership for calendar year 2022. About 91% of our members have renewed their membership through May 20, 2022. You can renew your membership 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.
VMB Library and Historical Collections Committee
Interested in military history. Please advise Bob Sada (sadartdent@sbcglobal.net) if you are interested in joining the LHCC as a representative of Post 246. Thank you to Ron Ferrell for serving on the LHCC on behalf of Post 246.
AMERICAN LEGION BASIC TRAINING COURSE
Learn about the American Legion in this self-paced online course; go to: https://www.legion.org/membership/254637/basic-training-your-home
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee is investigating investment opportunities through the Three Valley Community Foundation.
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES
Please attend the ceremonies at San Ramon Memorial Park at 9:30 AM and/or at Oak Hill Park at 10:30 AM on May 30, 2022 as we remember our fallen comrades.
SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR MILITARY RECRUITS
The Veterans Memorial Building of San Ramon Valley with the support of VSOs including Post 246 and Scout Troops 60 and 888 recognized eight recruits joining the US Marine Corps, Navy, and Army and six appointees to the US Naval Academy, Military Academy, and Air Force Academy. RADM Mary O’Donnell, USCG, Ret. served as Co-Chair and MG Ronald Lowe, USA, Ret. presented challenge coins to each of the young women and men.
SCOUTING
Troop 60 advanced three Scouts to the rank of Eagle Scout at their Court of Honor on April 11, 2022. Alan Scharlach, Post 246 Scouting Representative, presented Post 246 recognition certificates to Troop 60 Eagle Scouts at the Court of Honor.
GIRLS State Five delegates completed orientation to attend Girls State at California State University – Sacramento from June 27 to July 2, 2022. Thank you, Michelle Lee and Harvalee Grimm for your leadership in selecting delegates. Well done!!!
Boys State
Ten delegates completed orientation to attend Boys State at California State University – Sacramento from June 19 to June 25, 2022. Thank you, Eric Ardell and John Rowe for your work to select delegates. Well done!!!
AMERICAN LEGION SCAM ALERT
Please note recent email messages from National and Department of California warning members about phishing emails requesting donations for various causes. When viewing American Legion emails, please remember that The Department of California Commander's valid email address is commander@calegion.org and the National Commander’s valid email address is legion@em.legion.org.
POST PHOTOGRAPHER 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. 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. COVID-19 booster vaccinations are available at the VA – Martinez Building AB6 Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. 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.
TOWN OF DANVILLE
The Town of Danville website contains links to notices, alerts, news flash, calendar, etc. about all things Danville: http://www.danville.ca.gov/list.aspx
CITY OF SAN RAMON
The City of San Ramon website contains links to notices, alerts, news flash, calendar, etc. about all things in San Ramon: https://www.sanramon.ca.gov/home
STAND UP (PREVIOUSLY, STAND DOWN) ON THE DELTA
Stand Up on the Delta 2021 was postponed to 2022. The event will take place at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch per the following schedule:
2 June 2022 / Set Up
3 to 5 June 2022 / Stand Up
6 June 2022 / Take Down
Please consider signing up to volunteer at: https://dvgregistration.ivolunteer.com/volunteer_2022
Flag & Emblem Store
Alan Scharlach is serving as our “Supply Officer” and will order items for post members. Go to https://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 Baseball Cap (size – adjustable) - $21.90 Assorted Polo Shirts (X-Large) - Donated by Carol Reid – No Charge
POST OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Post Officers for 2021-2022:
Commander: Mark Heinemann
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: Leroy Vares
Past Commander: Eric Ardell
Executive Committee:
Neil Giles Ron Roe Michelle Haines Mike Yura Gary Soto Mary O’Donnell
Appointed Officers & Committee Chairpersons
Asst Adjutant: Michelle Haines
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
Scouting Rep: Alan Scharlach
VMB Ops Committee: Bob Landy
Museum Committee: OPEN / TBA
Protocol Officer: Floyd Cox
Board of Trustees: Ron Lowe / Eric Ardell
East Bay Standdown Rep: Mark Heinemann
Veterans Outreach: Mark Heinemann
Program Dir: Mike Yura
Scouting Rep: Mike Yura
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
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 – Meeting at 6:00 PM at the Danville Black Bear Diner
02 March 2022
06 April 2022
04 May 2022
01 June 2022
06 July 2022
No meeting in August
07 September 2022 – Meeting at 6:00 PM at the Danville Black Bear Diner
02 October 2022 – Meeting at 1:00 PM at the VMB Community Hall to recognize 2022 Boys State and Girls State Delegates (No regular meeting on 05 October 2022)
02 November 2022
07 December 2022 – Meeting at 6:00 PM at the Danville Black Bear Diner
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)
