Salvo - May 22
COMMANDERS CORNER
Post 246 will vote on nominations at our May 4, 2022 regular meeting for Commander, 1st Vice Commander, 2nd Vice Commander, and three members of the Executive Committee. Nominees are Michelle Lee for Commander; TBA for First Vice Commander; Alan Scharlach for Second Vice Commander; and Michelle Haines, Gary Soto, and Mike Yura for Members of the Executive Committee. This is your post so please continue to support our 2021-2022 officers and vote for our 2022-2023 officers to help us make Post 246 bigger and better! We will install officers at the regular meeting on July 6, 2022.
The Veterans Memorial Building (VMB) is planning the High School Graduates Swearing-in Ceremony for 22 May 2021 at 1:00pm on the Library Green, 400 Front Street, Danville. VMB will also recognize appointees to the military service academies at the ceremony. VMB is asking all VSOs to provide help in setup, ushering, and teardown/cleanup along with a contingent from our Boy Scout Troops. Please contact Mary O’Donnell (309-9028) if you will help.
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
May 4, Wednesday Regular meeting – Martha Hernandez, California Relay, 12:00 pm
May 21, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
May 22, Sunday Swearing-In Ceremony, Danville Library Green, 1:00 pm
May 30, Monday Memorial Day Ceremony (VNVDV), Oak Hill Park, 10:30 am
May 30, Monday Mount Diablo Beacon Lighting for Memorial Day at Sunset, 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-Livery, Danville, 9:00 am
July 6, Wednesday Officer Installation / Regular meeting – Vikram Ravi, Eagle Scout, 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
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, SaturdayExecutive Committe
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, 17 May 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.
MEMBERSHIP
Please renew your membership for calendar year 2022. About 90% of our members (153 of 169 per National vs 158 goal or 95% per Department of California) have renewed their membership through April 23, 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.
NEW MEMBERS
Please welcome our new members: Craig Thaxton served in the US Navy in the 1980’s; Michael Mahre served in the US Navy during the 1980’s; Matthew Hayward served in the US Marine Corps during Desert Storm; Will Glesener served in the US Army in the 1970’s; and Louis Giorgi served in the US Navy as a MD with the Marines during GWOT. We hope to meet you soon at a meeting.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) disqualified Post 246 based on its IRS tax status from investment in its funds in an April 2022 communication. The Finance Committee is investigating other investment opportunities including through the Three Valley Community Foundation. Investment in an EBCF fund was approved at the June 2, 2021 regular meeting.
MEMORIAL DAY COMMEMORTION
Please attend the ceremony at Oak Hill Park at 10:30 AM on May 30, 2022.
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
SCOUTING
Troop 60 advanced three Scouts to the rank of Eagle Scout at their Court of Honor on April 11, 2022. Troop 888 advanced five Scouts to the rank of Eagle Scout at their Court of Honor on April 25, 2022. Alan Scharlach, Post 246 Scouting Representative, presented Post 246 recognition certificates to Troop 60 and Troop 888 Eagle Scouts at their Courts of Honor. Scott Perkins, Post 246 member and San Ramon City Council member made the keynote speech at the Troop 888 Court of Honor. Congratulations to the new Troop 60 and Troop 888 Eagle Scouts. On April 23, 2022 Michelle Lee participated in a Pack 1776 US flag retirement ceremony at Camp Herms.
Troop 888 Court of Honor
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Troop 888 Court of Honor 〰️
GIRLS STATE
Five delegates were selected following completion of interviews. On-line Orientation will take place in May. Girls State will convene 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
Nine delegates were selected following completion of interviews. On-line Orientations will take place in late April or early May. Boys State will convene 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 CaliforniaCommander'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?
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.
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 (858-4199), 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
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
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: 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
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
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)
DISTRICT 9
Next regular meeting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, 17 May 2022 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 930 Ward Street, Martinez. Regular meetings are held on the third Tuesday of odd numbered months.
