Salvo Mar 2022
COMMANDERS CORNER
On behalf of Post 246, thank you to everyone who contributed to making the 2022 Crab Feed a success. Please join us at the March 2 meeting for details.
Please join me in thanking Eric & Mary Ardell, Phil and Lizabeth Connolly and their sons Jared & Christian, Elizabeth Freitas, Michelle Haines, Bob Landy, Michelle Lee, Raoul Miranda, Steve McCreery, Mary O’Donnell and Claes Eflving, Ron and Evelyn Roe, Bob Sada, Lorrie and Tim Sammons, Alan Scharlach, Gary Soto, and Mike Yura for their significant contributions to the success of the Crab Feed. Please patronize the donors listed on page 10 which contributed goods and services to the Crab Feed auctions and raffle and let the manager know how much Post 246 appreciates their donations which support our efforts with veterans; youth programs including Girls State, Boys State, and Scouting; active-duty military members and their families; and other community programs.
The meeting schedule for 2022 is posted on page 7 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 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.
Mark Heinemann
UPCOMING EVENTS
**** Every Saturday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm Coffee at the Vets Hall
March 2, Wednesday Regular meeting with surprise 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 Adam Lane, PIO, CHP CCC, 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
June 1, Wednesday Regular meeting with Candace Andersen, CCC District Supervisor, 5:30 pm
June 18, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
July 6, Wednesday Installation of Officers / Regular meeting with speaker, TBA, 12:00 pm
No Officer and Executive Member Meeting in July
No Regular Meeting in August
August 20, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
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 – Meeting at 6:00 PM at the Danville Black Bear Diner
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
MEETINGS
Please continue to give your suggestions for speakers to Michelle Lee and Mike Yura, her replacement as Program Director. We are planning evening dinners in February, June, September, and November. 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
DISTRICT 9
District 9 holds its next regular meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, 16 March 2022 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 930 Ward Street, Martinez. Please let 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.
Next regular meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, 16 March 2022 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 930 Ward Street, Martinez. Regular meetings are held on the third Tuesday of odd numbered months.
RICHARD (DICK) SEAVEY - MEMORIAL SERVICES
A celebration of life for Dick Seavey will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, March 23 at Graham Hitch Mortuary in Pleasanton. Burial will be at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 24 at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dick’s name to Norwich University Cadet Scholarship Program, 158 Harmon Drive, Northfield, VT 05663.
MEMBERSHIP
Please renew your membership for calendar year 2022. About 86% of our members (142 of 166 total members) have renewed their membership through mid-February. 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.
NEW MEMBERS
Please welcome new members: Raymond Alberti, a former Alameda fire chief; Patrick Chatard; and Lloyd Riggs. We hope to meet you soon at a meeting.
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
2022 CRAB FEED DINNER AND FUNDRAISER
Our in-person, live Crab Feed Dinner was a success based on input from members and guests. Several suggestions were made for improvements which we will need to incorporate into the planning and execution of the 2023 Crab Feed
Please recognize and patronize our Blue Sponsors: “Empowered Chiropractic” and “Lunardi’s”. Also, Post 246 thanks Gold Sponsors: “Jim Vlantis and Sara Ennor” and Blue Sponsors: “Stephen and Sandra McKae” and “Navy Veterans” for their support. Additional donors of goods and services are listed lower in the article. Thank you all.
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. Tickets are available from Bob Landy at $50 per ticket until March 11, 2022. Please save the date and attend this important fundraiser. Please leave a message for Bob at the Post 246 message line (272-8480) if you want tickets.
SCOUTING
Please read the letter of commendation (lower in article) from Alamo-Lafayette Cemetery District which recognizes Eagle Scout Vikram Ravi of Troop 888 for his Eagle Project which located and mapped the location of over 200 gravesites of veterans buried at the Lafayette Cemetery. In addition, Vikram raised funds for flag holders and medallions to mark their gravesite locations permanently.
Pack 997 held its annual Bridging Ceremony on February 27. Ten Scouts bridged from Pack 997 to Scout Troops 621, 805, 874 and 2001.
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
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.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
The post expects to complete investment of funds from the post savings account in East Bay Community Foundation investment ESG Fund in March 2022. Investment was approved at the June 2, 2021 regular meeting. Veterans Memorial Building of the San Ramon Valley invested funds successfully through the EBCF.
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.
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:
31 May to 2 June 2022 / Set Up
3 to 6 June 2022 / Stand Down
6 to 8 June 2022 / Take Down
As more information is provided in early 2022, updates will appear in the Salvo.
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
POST OFFICERS AND COMMMITTEE 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: Leroy Vares
Junior Past Commander: Eric Ardell
Executive Committee
Neil Giles / 983-9018
Ron Roe / 837-9428
Michelle Haines / 899-3422
Gary Soto / 837-9363
Appointed Officers & Committee Chairpersions
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
Program Dir: 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!!
RECOGNITION OF EABLE SCHOUT VIKRAM RAVI, TROOP 888
LAMO-LAFAYETTE CEMETERY DISTRICT
3285 MT. DIABLO BLVD./ P.O. Box 1955, LAFAYETTE, CA 94549
(925) 284-1353 – Fax: (925) 284.4144
E-MAIL: alcdist@pacbell.net
February 1, 2022
Boy Scouts of America Corporate Office PO Box 152079 Irving, TX 75015-2079
RE: Vikram Ravi
Dear Boy Scouts of America,
My name is Patricia Howard and I have been the General Manager of the Alamo-Lafayette Cemetery District for over 25 years. Last year, an Eagle Scout approached the District, pitching a large project to me.
In March 2021, Eagle Scout Vikram Ravi approached the Alamo-Lafayette Cemetery District to create a map of unmarked veteran graves. Vikram is part of the Boy Scout Troop 888, located in San Ramon, CA.
Vikram planned and executed a large project, consisting of locating and mapping the geolocation of almost two hundred unmarked veteran graves in the Lafayette Cemetery, based in Lafayette, CA. Furthermore, Vikram raised the funds to purchase the flags and high-quality flag holders with veteran medallions. Lastly, Vikram organized 15 other Scouts to participate in the mapping side of the project.
His project was a huge success. The medallions act as a permanent marker that helped the District place flags and Wreathes Across America lay wreathes for Christmas. These medallions will permanently help the District place flags for Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Christmas. This Christmas is the first time in the District's 167-year history where wreathes were placed on all veteran graves, both marked and unmarked.
This young man went above and beyond to honor the veterans in our Cemetery, and not only were we impressed, but we were proud to have met him. Vikram performed well beyond expectations for his age, showing a level of maturity we would expect from seasoned professionals. I'd like to cite a specific example that made the greatest impression, showing his thoughtfulness and care.
Before the other Scouts began their search for veterans and unprompted, Vikram gathered his troop and explained the manners and etiquette expected at a cemetery. He asked for the utmost respect and care, avoiding stepping on headstones, or damaging grave items. Vikram was polite, respectful, and showed genuine leadership.
I can't stress enough how surprised I was he had the presence of mind needed to not only understand, but also transmit respectful behavior when most people lack when visiting through the cemetery.
Both the Board of Trustees and I would like to extend our most sincere thanks and appreciation to Eagle Scout Vikram Ravi. We would also like to thank San Ramon, CA, Troop 888 and especially Eagle Scout mentor Shanthi Subramanian, who guided Vikram along the way.
Warmest regards,
Patricia A. Howard
District Manager
2022 CRAB FEED DONORS
Ace Hardware
Bridges Restaurant
Safeway Stores
The Vine and Spirits
Piatti’s Restaurant
Blue Line Pizza
Sloat’s Garden
Lunardi’s Market
AMC Theaters
Sideboard
Norm’s Place
Sprouts
Charles R Vineyards
Concannon Vineyard Estate
Emerson Brown
Trader Joe's Danville
Empowered Chiropractic
Amici's East Coast Pizzeria
Blue Line Pizza
Chico's Danville
Lizbeth Connolly
Faz Restaurant
Hall Wines Napa Valley
Melo's Pizza
Danville Brewing Co. Gift Card
Home Depot
Patrick James
Peju Winery
Pete's Brass Rail & Car Wash
Pleasanton Golf Center
Rakestraw Books
Harveys Resort Lake Tahoe
The Growler
USS Hornet
