Salvo - October 2021
COMMANDERS CORNER
Post 246 lost a dedicated member when Randy Reid passed to Post Everlasting on August 29. Randy served several terms as Post 246 Commander and District 9 Commander. As District 9 Commander during the pandemic, he converted District 9 meetings from in-person to conference calls and provided an example to the eight Posts in District 9 that all Posts could successfully maintain engagement with their members and continue their programs using hybrid arrangements. For me personally, Randy was one of my first mentors in my American Legion journey. I am indebted to him for the guidance and advice that he provided generously to me. Our condolences go out to Carol and the Reid family.
Eric Ardell has accepted appointment as Third Vice Commander in addition to his commitments on Membership and Boys State. Thank you, Eric.
Please continue to give your suggestions for speakers to Michelle Lee 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.
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
October 3rd, Sunday Boys & Girls State Recognition Luncheon, 1:00 pm
October 9th, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
November 3rd, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, Beverly Lane, 12:00 pm
November 10th, Wednesday Pop-up VMB Museum Display Set-Up, 4:00 – 9:00 pm
November 11th, Thursday Veterans Day
November 11th to 14th Thursday-Sunday Pop-up VMB Museum, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
November 20th, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
November 25th, Thursday Thanksgiving Day
December 1st, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, David Compton, 12:00 pm
December 11th, Saturday Army - Navy Game, VMB, 12 noon
December 11th, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
December 18th, Saturday Wreaths Across America, Alamo Cemetery, 10:00 am
December 25th, Saturday Christmas Day
January 1st, Saturday New Year’s Day
MEETING SPEAKERS
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.
2022 – Please provide suggestions to Michelle Lee.
DISTRICT 9
District 9 hosted six student veterans and advisors from Contra Costa College and from Diablo Valley College at its monthly meeting on 21 September. The guests provided short summaries of their military careers, their goals for the student veteran organizations at their colleges, and challenges that they face to make their colleges more attractive to veterans who are making the transition back to civilian life, a part of which is to continue their educations to achieve their civilian career goals.
DISTRICT 9 AND AMERICAN LEGION POSTS HONOR RANDY REID
American Legion Post 29 (Martinez) and VFW Post 1351 (Martinez) provided a Color Guard Detail at the church service and American Legion Yolo Post 77 (Woodland) provided a Rifle Detail at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery service in honor of Randy Reid. Randy was remembered at the Post 246 and District 9 meetings in September. Post 246 greatly appreciates the support from these Posts to Carol and the Reid family.
MEMBERSHIP
Please 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.
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. VA OFFERS NO COST FLU SHOTS VA Northern California health care will begin offering no-cost flu shots for enrolled Veterans at the Martinez VA Outpatient Clinic starting on Monday, September 27. Martinez VA Outpatient Clinic Location: Building AB-6 Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday Clinics: October 16 and October 23, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 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.
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 funds 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.
DANVILLE PARADE
The 4th of July parade held by the Kiwanis Club and the Town of Danville on Saturday, 4 September 2021 was a success. James Bundgaard and Ed Ott provided historic military vehicles, and PG&E provided a truck. Boy Scout Troop 888 carried the American Legion banner and provided other support. Thank you to the Post 246 members, their family members, Troop 888 adult leaders, and Troop 888 Scouts who participated in the parade.
9/11 REMEMBRANCE
Post 246 members participated in the 20th Annual Remembrance ceremony on Saturday, 9/11 in Oak Hill Park. Post 246 joined other VSOs of the SRV Veterans Memorial Building to support the ceremony.
PARKS RESERVE FORCES TRAINING AREA COMMUNITY EXPO
Post 246 will participate in the Community Expo on September 30, 2021 at Parks RFTA to “Support Our Troops” and provide information for military personnel who would like to join the American Legion. Please contact Mark Heinemann if you want to help staff the Post 246 display.
VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING FUNDRAISER
Veterans Memorial Building fundraiser on Monday August 30, 2021 at Gianni’s Italian Bistro raised $7,618. Thank you to Post 246 members who waited tables, delivered take-out orders, and dined at Gianni’s
BOYS STATE AND GIRLS STATE DELEGATE RECOGNITION LUNCHEON
We will hold our October regular meeting as a luncheon at 1:00 pm on Sunday, 3 October in the VMB Community Hall. We would like to see a really good turn out to meet and hear from our fourteen delegates about their experiences at Boys and Girls State. Our Post sponsors these young men and women to attend these programs. Let’s show our support by attending the luncheon. Feel free to bring your significant other so that they too can hear from our delegates. This luncheon is free to all attending. We would appreciate it if some of you would arrive at 12:15 pm to set up tables and chairs. Contact Eric Ardell to advise if you and a guest will attend and if you can help set up.
LAS POSITAS COLLEGE VETERANS 2.2 FOR 22 CHALLENGE
Las Positas College student veterans are hosting the 4th annual 2.2 for 22 Challenge. The Challenge will commence on October 23, 2021 and end on November 11, 2021. Funds raised support programs for student veterans including mental health services and workshops, scholarships, and attendance at the Student Veterans of America National Conference. Join Michelle Lee and the Heart Guards by signing up at 2.2 for 22 Virtual Challenge Online Registration (runsignup.com)
2022 CRAB FEED DINNER AND FUNDRAISER
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 intend to hold a live auction and raffle during the dinner on Saturday, 29 January 2022. Watch your email for more information. 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.
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 Michelle Lee, Steering Committee Chair, to provide input for our display. Contact Mark Heinemann to volunteer to execute the plan (set-up on November 10, 2021) and staff the display. Post 246 needs your support to develop a great display. 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 / Tear 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
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.
A MARINE AND SAILOR’S GUIDE TO THE UNITED STATES
Alan Scharlach, US Army, thought that Marines and sailors might benefit from the Guide on page 9 of this month’s Salvo. Marines and sailors plan to respond in the November Salvo. Enjoy! THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“Not only must we be good, but we must also be good for something.”
– Henry David Thoreau –
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
Junior Past Commander:
Executive Committee:
Gary Soto
Dick Seavey
Ron Roe
Neil Giles
Appointed Officers & Committee Chairpersons
Asst Adjutant: Vacant
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
Pgm 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
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 Helmut for Heroes at a future live meeting!!
