American Legion Oro Valley Post and Auxiliary 132 programs and activities and information relevant to veterans
Post membership meetings 3rd Thursday of the month, 6:30pm. At the Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Oro Valley. A social with refreshments follow each meeting, compliments of the Post.
Riders Chapter 132 membership meetings: 1st Thursday of the month, 6pm at Catalina Elks Lodge 16045 N. Oracle Rd in Catalina. Members of the American Legion Riders are members of the Legion, Sons of the American Legion and of the Auxiliary, all who are motorcycle riding enthusiasts.
Sons of the American Legion Squadron 132 meetings: 3rd Saturday of the month, 9:30am, at the Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. Membership in the SAL is open to male descendants, regardless of age, of a parent or grandparent who served in the U.S. military during a period of American Legion eligibility and who is a member of the American Legion or who meets the service requirements but is deceased.
Dates and activities to remember:
May 24 – National Poppy Day: Honor the fallen and support the living. The red poppy is a nationally recognized symbol of sacrifice worn by Americans since WWI to honor those who served and died for our country in all wars. In the battlefields of Belgium during World War I, poppies grew wild amid the ravages of war. Wear a red poppy to honor and remember
Get your poppy: Members of The American Legion Auxiliary have been helping the nation to remember by distributing the remembrance poppy to the public for one hundred years. That tradition continues as members of the Auxiliary Oro Valley Unit 132 faithfully distribute the poppies throughout the local community. The 800,000 members of the American Legion Auxiliary, the world’s largest patriotic service organization of women, are asking every American citizen to wear a poppy in observance of National Poppy Day, May 24 and Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2019. The poppy is a source of financial and therapeutic benefit to the hospitalized and disabled veterans who construct them by hand, as well as benefiting thousands of other veterans and their families by the, appreciated but not required, donations received. Wear a remembrance poppy during the Memorial Day weekend and please consider making a donation to the Oro Valley Unit’s poppy fund. All proceeds are for the care and assistance of local veterans in need. The Unit will distribute Poppies Friday, May 24th – Monday, May 27th, 9 am to 3 pm each day at the following three locations: Frys 10661 N. Oracle, Oro Valley (1st St. & N. Oracle); Frys 10450 N. LaCanada, Oro Valley (LaCanada & Lambert); and Frys 7870 N. Silverbell, Marana (N. Silverbell & Cortaro). Stop by, say hello and get your poppy. Donations to The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 132 are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. For additional information: ovunit132@gmail.com, http://www.ovunit132.info, or PO Box 69246, Oro Valley AZ, 85737, or Ms. Onita Davis at 520-229-1064. If you wish to mail a donation, make check payable to ALA OV Unit 132, and mail to ALA OV Unit 132, PO Box 69246, Oro Valley AZ, 85737. On memo line enter “Poppy Fund”.
May 25 and 27 – Memorial Day Weekend Honor and Remember Activities: May 25 (Saturday) at 0800: Placement of several thousand American flags at the headstones of veterans interred at Evergreen Cemetery, located at 3015 N. Oracle Rd at Ft. Lowell Rd. Public welcome to place the flags. May 27 (Monday) at 0900: Memorial Day service at Evergreen Cemetery. Post 132 Color Guard will post and retrieve colors. Public welcome. The flags placed Saturday at the headstones will be retrieved Monday at 5pm. POC: Abe Rodrigues 520-404-4286
June 5 – American Legion Southern Arizona Baseball: Opening night ceremony followed by multiple league games. Kino Veterans Memorial Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way, Tucson 85713. Field 5 at 6PM. OV Post 132 Color Guard will post the colors and Post 132 member Jeremiah Fountain will do us proud singing the National Anthem. Post 132 sponsors the Red Raiders, a team comprised of players from Mountain View and Ironwood Ridge High Schools. Park in the lot south of the stadium. Public welcome.
August 31– Post’s annual golf tournament fundraiser: Because we don’t have a facility of our own, fundraising is a vitally important activity which allows us to fund our award-winning programs. Tournament to be held at The Views G.C. at Sun City, Oro Valley. Save the date. See flyer
October 12 –Post 132 sponsored American Legion centennial celebration: The American Legion was founded in March 15-17, 1919 in Paris, France, in the aftermath of World War I. It was federally chartered on Sept. 16, 1919. Post 132 is sponsoring a Centennial Celebration community event October 12 at River Front Park. More info to follow.
Anytime: Drop-off location for new and gently used clothing and unused hygiene items for homeless veterans. Socks and underwear must be new. Location: DAV4, 4145 W. Ina Rd. #131, open 10-12noon M-F. 520-791-9067.
Post and Auxiliary Activities:
Post and Auxiliary Unit 132 receive special recognition: During the opening ceremony of the Tucson Stand Down for homeless veterans, the Chairman of Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans (TVSV) recognized the Post and Auxiliary Unit for their Steadfast and Exemplary Care and Assistance of Veterans in Need. ”Post/Unit 132 have been steady partners and leaders in their unwavering support of our veteran population here in Tucson. Throughout each year they provide funds to support our “Veteran in Need” program as well as our annual Stand Down and resource fairs. No other organization has done more to partner with TVSV and provide consistent support to our veterans. Thank you to all the members of Post/Unit 132, Oro Valley, you are in a class of your own”.
Bataan Memorial Death March: Three members of Post 132 participated in the 2019 annual Bataan Memorial Death March held at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. The annual event is held to honor and remember those who were forced to endure the Death March in 1942. Five of the survivors were on hand to greet the marchers. Ed Davis and Jeremiah and Myra Fountain completed the Honorary March of 14.2 miles in the high desert surrounding the WSMR. Members Ray Baldwin and Onita Davis cheered them on. More than 8.600 marchers from around the world participated. Jeremiah and Myra have completed the full 26.2 mile march several times.
Hands-on support of local Arizona National Guard: Post 132 provided hot dogs, chili, cheese and condiments in support of a food sales fundraising event for Bravo Company of the 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion and Det. 1 of Bravo Company of the 640th Aviation Support BN. The proceeds will be used to help fund the Units’ 2019 family day event. Our own Dan McGregor was cook extraordinaire while Linda Miller, an Auxiliary Unit 132 member and member of the Guard’s Family Readiness Group, provided her patient leadership. Members of the Post and Auxiliary Unit take pride in their hands-on support of local National Guard Units.
Flags for Eagle Scouts program: Congratulation to new Eagle Scout Jackson Utsch. Post 132 members Danny Lemon and Larry McNamee were invited to attend the Eagle Scout Court of Honor of Jackson Utsch of Troop 206. An American flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol in Jackson’s honor was presented to him by Danny and Larry. American flags have been presented by Post 132 members to more than 150 deserving Eagle Scouts.
The pride of the Post: The Oro Valley Post 132 sponsored Oratorical Contest contestant Cassandra Lawson, a sophomore at BASIS of Oro Valley, competed at the 82nd annual American Legion High School U.S. Constitution Oratorical Scholarship Contest national competition in Indianapolis, IN. Casandra had placed first at the American Legion Dept. of Arizona state competition earning her the honor of representing Arizona at national. One contestant from each state and 4 international Legion Departments compete at national. Despite an exceptional oration, Cassandra did not advance to the final three. There are five levels of competition beginning at the local Legion Post level and ending with the national competition. The program is designed to instill a greater knowledge and appreciation of the U.S. Constitution among high school students. The Post’s program is the most successful in the state with three of the last five Arizona state delegates sent to the national competition having been sponsored by the Oro Valley Post 132.
Authentic German Dinner: Another sell-out event with 168 meals served at the Post 132 sponsored its 9th annual German dinner fundraiser. 100% of the proceeds are for veterans in need and for rehabilitation programs. Participants enjoyed a delicious meal while listening to live Oopah music.
Arizona Boys State and Girls State Programs: American Legion Boys State and American Legion Auxiliary Girls State programs are among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students. Post 132 is sponsoring five delegates from four local high schools to the 2019 Boys State program while Auxiliary Unit 132 is sponsoring three delegates to Girls State. It is a participatory program in which students become part of the operation of local, county and state government. Participants learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. Program activities include elections to the various offices, legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement, instructional presentations, patriotic assemblies, music entertainment and recreational activities. It is often a life-changing experience.
Contact Info: Facebook: Please like, follow and share with others to help spread the word about our Post and award-winning programs. www.facebook.com/ovamericanlegionPost132
Website: www.ovamericanlegion132.com
Riders Chapter 132 Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ALRChapter132/
Post 132 commander – Steve Didio 520-219-9997 stevedidio@comcast.net
SAL Squadron 132 commander – Ed Davis 520-229-1064 / egdavis@att.net
Riders Chapter 132 president – David Lynch 520-850-6285 / iccinevad@aol.com
Post Service Officer: Jim Martens 503-939-1570 / jamesmartens46@gmail.com
Ed Davis, First Vice Commander/Newsletter Editor, 520-229-1064, egdavis@att.net