November / December 2019
Oro Valley Post/Auxiliary Unit/SAL/Riders 132 activities and info relevant to veterans
Post and Auxiliary meetings: Thursday, December 19, 6:30pm at Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Oro Valley. For the December meeting, a complimentary catered meal will be served beginning at 5:15pm. Meetings are 3rd Thursday of the month, 6:30pm. Auxiliary members meet in a separate room, same location, same time. A social with complimentary refreshments follow each meeting
Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron 132 membership meeting: Saturday, Dec 21 , 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.
Riders Chapter 132 membership meeting: Thursday, Dec 5, 6:30pm. Members of the American Legion Riders are members of the Legion, Sons of the American Legion and of the Auxiliary, and who are motorcycle riding enthusiasts. Meetings are at the Catalina Elks Lodge 16045 N. Oracle Rd in Catalina. Meet 1st Thursday of the month.
Dates and activities to remember:
December 1: Civil Air Patrol (USAF Auxiliary) Birthday
December 7: Pearl Harbor Day
December 13: National Guard’s 383rd Birthday. Always ready, always there since 1636.
December 14: National Remembrance Day. Remember and Honor Veterans – one wreath at a time. Wreaths Across America, is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization with a mission to Remember and Honor those who have served our nation in uniform. Wreaths Across America hopes that one day every veteran’s interment site will be adorned with a Remembrance Wreath. Last year 1.8 million wreaths were placed at 1,640 locations by more than 2 million volunteers. This year the wreaths will be placed nationwide by volunteers on the Wreaths Across America 2019 National Remembrance Day, December 14 at 10am. Everyone is welcome to participate. Participating local cemeteries include Tucson Evergreen and the Arizona State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Marana.
Post and Auxiliary Activities:
Three more examples of assistance:
We are making a difference. A local veteran who had been homeless, recently moved into a run-down motel after becoming employed by a community outreach organization as a case aide. His full term pregnant daughter then came to him for help when she had nowhere else to turn. The veteran responded to this challenging situation with determination to get his life together and to begin to care for his desperately needy family. There was one big problem, he didn’t have the money for the deposit and 1st month’s rent for an apartment which would provide a safe environment for his daughter and new born granddaughter. Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans reached out to Veterans groups within the Tucson area and only Post and Auxiliary Unit 132 came to the rescue providing the necessary funds. The veteran and his family are now happy and safe in their apartment. The veteran’s supervisor is very complimentary and states, “he is doing everything necessary to improve his life and to care for his family”. Without the Post and Auxiliary immediately coming to the aide of this veteran, who knows what would have happened to him, his daughter and his granddaughter. No other Veterans Service Organization in southern Arizona does more for veterans and service members in need……….none.
We continue to make a difference: Post and Aux Unit 132 contributed toward the rent on behalf of a veteran in desperate need. This allowed the veteran, a single parent, to complete barber school and to become employed allowing him to care for his two daughters. The veteran is suffering from PTSD from two tours in Iraq where he suffered severe trauma to the face from a sniper’s bullet. The veteran wanted to “give back” so he volunteered to attend the recent one day event for homeless veterans where he cut hair non-stop for 8 hours. He wanted the members of the Post and Unit 132 to know “what a blessing” we were to him and his daughters at a time when he had all but given up hope.
We continue to make a difference: The Post and Aux Unit contributed toward the rent on behalf of a veteran to prevent eviction. The Veteran, a single parent of two children and with multiple deployments to Afghanistan had been released from his long term employment. He obtained new employment but because of the time between jobs, he was in arears and was facing eviction. There was a real possibility that if he had to miss work to move his family into a shelter, he would lose his new job adding to his financial troubles. The landlord agreed to terms and agreed to cease eviction proceedings. Once again, the Post and Unit helped secure a stable life for a veteran determined to provide for his family but who had come up against difficult and challenging circumstances. We continue to make a difference because of the generosity and support of our members and the generosity and support of friends of the Post.
Nov2. Western National Guard Army Aviation Training Site (WAATS) Battalion Family Day: Members of the Post and Auxiliary Unit were instrumental in the planning and execution of another successful Arizona National Guard Battalion family day. The WAATS Family Day, attended by 328 soldiers and family members, was celebrated at Bedroxx Bowling. Lots of great food, friendship and fun! Members of the auxiliary managed a raffle during the event which raised more than $450 for future Battalion family events.
Nov 7-12. Legion tradition, pride and honor. A busy Veterans Day week for members of the Post’s color guard who participated in Veterans Day assemblies at five schools and seven other community venues. Known and respected throughout the Tucson area, our Post’s Color Guard and Honor Guard represent American Legion tradition, pride and honor and we are proud of the important and visible role that they play within the community. A huge thank you to the following members of the Post’s color guard who proudly represented our Post: Steve Asp, Ray Baldwin, Jim Barnhart, Bob Franke, Rick Gonzales, Bob Herd, Joe Hornat, Danny Lemon, John Madaloni, Bill Madara, Jim Martens, Larry Trial, Walt Walton, Gene Wickey.
Nov 11. The 100th Tucson Veterans Day parade. Fourteen members of the Oro Valley Riders Chapter 132 participated in the Veterans Day parade. We are proud of our Riders for participating in this historic patriotic event.
Flags for Eagle Scouts program: American flags flown over the nation’s capital are presented by Post members to Eagle Scouts during their Court of Honor. The following is an excerpt from a letter received from a parent of an Eagle Scout who received a flag from our Post: “I would like to personally thank the members of the Oro Valley American Legion Post for their ongoing support of local Eagle Scouts. In 2009, Post 132 members presented flags to four Eagle Scouts from our Troop. My oldest son was a part of that group and I know how much it meant to him and the other 3 boys. I have observed many Eagle Scouts from our troop receive flags from your members and I must say that the presence of the veterans from your post at a Court of Honor adds a very powerful and moving element to the ceremony. Thank you so much for your continued service to the community”. Post’s POC is Bob Franke, Bfranke206@aol.com 520- 909-2070. Additional volunteers are needed. A flag presentation script has been prepared for use by the presenters. Be part of this meaningful program.
National Cemetery Administration – Nationwide Gravesite Locator:
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Free Flu shots any Walgreens: VA and Walgreens are national partners, providing no-cost flu shots to enrolled Veterans of the VA health care system. Now through March 31, 2020, at any Walgreens pharmacy, show your Veterans Health Identification Card and another form of photo ID.
The Exchange welcomes all honorably discharged veterans: Establish an account and shop online. www.shopmyexchange.com/account/register
VA shares electronic health records: As of Jan 2020, you are no longer required to provide written authorization for the VA to release your electronic VA health information to a participating community care provider. The VA will automatically share the health information using the Veterans Health Information Exchange. No action required unless you do not want the auto sharing. You must submit VA Form 10-10164 to “opt out” of the auto sharing. You can submit the opt out form any time. There is no deadline. Form 10-10164 https://www.va.gov/VLER/docs/1010164fill.pdf
VA Releases Free Mobile App to Streamline Health Care Access. VA Launchpad for Veterans The new app arranges all of VA’s previous apps into five categories for Veterans: health management, health care team communication, vital health information sharing, mental health improvement, and quality of life improvement.
VA Releases Welcome Kit: https://www.va.gov/welcome-kit/
Included in the kit:
For Veterans
Apply for VA health care (PDF)
Get started with mental health services (PDF)
Apply for a disability rating (PDF)
Apply for education benefits (PDF)
For family members
Get started with caregiver benefits (PDF)
Apply for survivor benefits (PDF)
VA Releases the Survivors Quick Start Guide: www.va.gov/survivor-quick-start-guide.pdf The guide provides Veterans’ family members and caregivers a reference guide for what to do following the veteran’s death.
National Resource Directory: NRD has more than 14,000 vetted resources available for childcare, education and training, healthcare needs, legal assistance, rest and relaxation, peer support, mentoring, and more.
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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
Post Mailing address: Oro Valley Post 132, PO Box 69665, Oro Valley, AZ 85737
Riders Chapter 132 Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ALRChapter132/
Post 132 commander – Dan McGregor 425-681-3962 dash5417@msn.com
SAL Squadron 132 commander – Ed Davis 520-229-1064 egdavis@att.net
Riders Chapter 132 president – Jeff Fawks 661-802-2596 jeff_fawks@yahoo.com
Post Service Officer: Jim Martens 503-939-1570 / jamesmartens46@gmail.com
Auxiliary Unit president: Rosie Gonzales 520-400-0224 ovunit132@gmail.com
Ed Davis, Past Commander/Newsletter Editor, 520-229-1064, egdavis@att.net [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]