Oro Valley Post 132 Newsletter, January 15, 2024.
Oro Valley Post 132 and Family activities/notices and information.
Post and Auxiliary membership meetings:
Thursday, January 16, at Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. Meetings are on the third Thursday of the month, at 6:30 pm. Auxiliary members meet in a separate room, same time, same address. A social gathering with complimentary refreshments will follow each meeting of the Post and Auxiliary. Post POC: Gary Smith, call 214-431-2187 or email [email protected].
Sons of the American Legion Squadron 132 meeting:
Saturday., January 20, 10:30 am, Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. POC is Ed Davis, call 520-229-1064 or email [email protected].
Mark your calendar. Upcoming Dates, activities and events to remember:
January 18, member initiation ceremony:
During the January 18 Post general membership meeting, there will be an official member initiation ceremony. The American Legion initiation ceremony is usually reserved for new members of a local Post, but since Post 132 has not performed an initiation ceremony in years, any member of Post 132 who has not already been initiated is welcome to sign up. If you have an interest in being initiated as a member of the American Legion, please contact Ray Baldwin at 443-624-9747 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Members will receive an initiation certificate and an American Legion pin.
February 3, National Four Chaplains Day:
On February 3, 1943, an enemy torpedo struck the Army transport Dorchester as it crossed the North Atlantic. Four Army chaplains – Lt. George L. Fox (Methodist), Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Lt. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic), and Lt. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed) helped to distribute life jackets. When there were no more available, they gave theirs to four soldiers. As the ship went down, men in rafts saw the four chaplains, arms linked and braced against the slanting deck, singing hymns and praying. The local memorial service is tentatively scheduled for February 4, 4:30 pm at the Kino Veterans Memorial Park, 2805 E. Ajo Way, Tucson. The public is welcome. There will be more information in the next newsletter.
Past Activities:
December 2 Post 132 Adopt-A-Highway cleanup:
Keeping Oro Valley the Clean Scene! Equipped with pick-up tools and trash bags, members removed debris from the Post’s assigned one mile stretch along Tangerine Rd. The clean-up turns into a social gathering and fun is had by all. Thanks to Tom Roblee for coordinating this quarterly activity and to the volunteers who make it happen. Photo: left to right; Dan McGregor, Ray Baldwin, Joe Hornat and Bob Franke. Not in the photo but who were present are Bob Jackson, Larry McNamee and Don Besse. Thank you all for representing Post 132 in this community activity.
December 2, Oro Valley Festival of the Arts Event:
Four members of the Post’s color guard presented colors to open the community event. Photo L to R: Don Besse, Michelle Pitt, Dee Mahony, and Dan McGregor.
December 14, another packed house at the December holiday meeting:
Before the December business meeting, 68 members of our Legion family and their guests enjoyed a delicious catered meal, compliments of the Post. Members of the Auxiliary Unit provided a huge assortment of delicious desserts. A big thank you to all who volunteered with the planning, serving, and cleanup of our annual holiday meal and social.
December 16, National Wreaths Across America Remembrance Day:
Simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies were held at Arlington National Cemetery, and at more than 2,100 locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. A Day to Honor and Remember the service and sacrifice of deceased veterans. Services were held at several local cemeteries, including the AZ Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Marana, where Auxiliary Unit 132 received special recognition for sponsoring 1,575 wreaths this year, more than any other community partner. A special thank you to those who sponsored a wreath(s) through the Auxiliary Unit. You made it possible. Worldwide, more than 3.6M wreaths were placed on this special day.
Contact Info:
Facebook:
Please like, follow, and share with others to help spread the word about our Post and its award-winning programs. www.facebook.com/ovamericanlegionPost132.com.
Post Website:
Post Mailing address:
Oro Valley Post 132, P.O. Box 69665, Oro Valley, AZ, 85737.
Post 132 general information:
Bob Franke, call 520-909-2070.
Post 132 Commander:
Steve Didio, call 520-219-9997 or email [email protected].
SAL Squadron 132 commander:
Ed Davis, call 520-229-1064 or email [email protected]
Riders Chapter 132 Director:
Jeff Fawks, call 520-245-8521 or email [email protected].
Service Officer:
Jeri Harwood call 208-351-9945 or email [email protected].
Auxiliary Unit president:
Lori Oehlert, phone 920-319-6700 or email [email protected]
Past Commander/Newsletter Editor:
Ed Davis, call 520-229-1064 or email [email protected]