Oro Valley Post 132 Newsletter, December 5, 2022.
Oro Valley Post 132 and Family activities/notices and information.
Post and Auxiliary membership meetings:
Thursday, December 15 at the Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. This is our special December meeting. A complimentary catered meal will be served beginning at 5:30 pm. An abbreviated business meeting begins at 6:30 pm. In addition to our very own WWII veterans, we will have the company of a WWII veteran who served with the Army Air Corps as a radioman/gunner on B17s and who was held as a POW for 19 months in Stalag 17B. All members of the Post, Auxiliary, SAL, and Riders are invited to attend both the meal and meeting and are welcome to bring one guest only, please. To help us order the correct amount of food, please contact Bob Franke by December 12 if you plan to attend, email at bfranke206@aol.com or call 520-909-2070. The Auxiliary Unit will not have a separate meeting.
Food items for the Tucson VA’s Patriot Pantry:
All are welcome to bring non-perishable food item(s) to the Post’s December 15 meeting. This is strictly voluntary. The Patriot Pantry, which is run by SAVAHCS (Tucson VA), provides in-patients at discharge and out-patients an emergency food supply and also connects them with community resources. Tucson VA social workers identify the eligible veterans. The pantry serves about 40 veterans each month. Post 132 makes food deliveries to the pantry on an as needed basis. Post 132 needs someone to be our POC with the pantry, to coordinate the purchase of the food items and to deliver the food to the VA. This will be only a 3-4 times a year activity.
The Patriot Pantry needs the following food items: canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meat ( especially chicken), pasta sauce, noodles, dried fruit, beef jerk, canned beef stew, canned beans, canned soups, rice, single-serving cereal, and dry milk in individual packages.
Sons of the American Legion Squadron 132 membership meeting:
Saturday, December 17, 10:30 am, Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. POC is Ed Davis at phone # 520-229-1064 or email to ovsquadron132@gmail.com.
Riders Chapter 132 membership meeting:
Wednesday, December 7, 6:00 pm at Elks Lodge #385, 1800 N. Oracle Rd. Meetings are on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm. Riders Chapter 132 Director – Garry Lawrence at phone # 520-245-8521 or email faretired@gmail.com.
Upcoming Dates, activities and events to remember:
December 7: Pearl Harbor Day.
December 13: National Guard’s 386th Birthday. Always ready, always there, since 1636.
December 17, National Remembrance Day: Simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies at over 1100 participating cemetery locations across the country, (10 am Arizona local time). The public is welcome to attend the 30-minute service followed by the placement of the wreaths. Bring the kids and grandkids. Local participating cemeteries: Evergreen, Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Marana, Holy Hope, East Lawn, and South Lawn. The schedule is the same at all locations. Thanks to the kind support of members of the Post, SAL, and Riders, and of the local community, Auxiliary Unit 132 is once again on track to be the community partner sponsoring the greatest number of Remembrance Wreaths for local cemeteries. Thank you for your kind support.
Past Activities and Information:
November 17, Post 132 Historian receives National award:
Post 132 member, and American Legion Department of Arizona Vice Commander, Gary Smith, at left, presents past historian Dan McGregor, with a certificate signed by the American Legion National Commander, Vincent Troiola. Dan’s Post 132 history book submission was selected as the 2nd place winner in the prestigious national competition. This is a huge honor for Dan and the Post.
November 9 – 12, Legion tradition, pride and honor:
A busy Veterans Day week for members of the Post’s color guard who participated in 9 Veterans Day week assemblies at schools and other community venues. Known and respected throughout Southern Arizona, 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.
November 21, Auxiliary Unit 132 donates backpacks for VA sponsored baby shower:
Backpacks, filled with items for newborns, were delivered to the Tucson VA by Auxiliary Unit member Rosie Gonzales. Auxiliary Unit 132 members collect items for the backpacks for the VA’s quarterly baby shower. The expectant mothers are thrilled with the needed items and are very grateful to the Auxiliary Unit members.
Running out of time!
Two Post 132 sponsored raffles are just about to wrap up. Proceeds generated help fund the Post’s award-winning programs that benefit Veterans. Contact Bob Franke to purchase tickets, email bfranke206@aol.com or call 520-909-2070.
United States Mint, National Purple Heart Hall of Honor 2022 Three-Coin Proof Set:
Coin set valued at $920. Raffle tickets are $15 each. The set includes three commemorative proof coins, silver dollar, $5 gold coin, and a half dollar. Coin set tickets must be purchased in advance by January 14 or in person during the January 19 Post meeting before the drawing that night. The winner does not need to be present to win.
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, PO Box 69665, Oro Valley, AZ 85737.
Post 132 commander:
Dan McGregor, call 425-681-3962 or email ovp132@yahoo.com.
SAL Squadron 132 commander:
Ed Davis, call 520-229-1064 or email egdavis@att.net
Riders Chapter 132 Director:
Garry Lawrence call 520-245-8521 or email faretired@gmail.com.
Service Officer:
Jim Martens call 503-939-1570 or email jamesmartens46@gmail.com.
Auxiliary Unit president:
Melinda Nay email ovunit132@gmail.com.
Past Commander/Newsletter Editor:
Ed Davis, call 520-229-1064 or email egdavis@att.net