Oro Valley Post 132 Newsletter, December 8, 2023.
Oro Valley Post 132 and Family activities/notices and information.
Post and Auxiliary membership meetings:
Thursday, December 14 (Note date change), at 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 5:15 pm. An abbreviated business meeting begins at 6:30 pm. 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 (one only, please). NOTE: The Auxiliary Unit will not have a separate meeting.
Mark your calendar. Upcoming Dates, activities and events to remember:
December 13, National Guard’s 387th Birthday:
Always ready, always there, since 1636. The oldest Army National Guard units are the 101st Engineer Battalion, the 101st Field Artillery Regiment, the 181st and the 182nd Infantry Regiment, all of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. These four units are the descendants of the original three militia regiments organized by colonial Massachusetts legislation on Dec. 13, 1636, and share the distinction of being the oldest units in the U.S. military. The National Guard has a unique dual mission that consists of both Federal and State roles. When federalized, Guard Units are commanded by the Combatant Commander of the theatre in which they are operating.
December 16, National Wreaths Across America Remembrance Day:
Simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, and at more than 2,100 locations in all 50 United States of America, at sea, and abroad. (10:00 am Arizona local time). The public is welcome. A brief service is followed by the placement of the Remembrance Wreaths by volunteers. Bring the family. Local participating cemeteries are: Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetary at Marana, East Lawn Palms Mortuary and Cemetary, Evergreen Cemetary, Holy Hope Cemetary, Marana Mortuary Cemetary, and South Lawn Mortuary and Cemetary.. The schedule is the same at each location. On December 16, 2023 at 8:30 am there will be a ceremony followed by wreath placement. Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by volunteering on Wreaths Day, as well as by inviting your family and friends to attend with you.
December 20, United States Space Force (USSF) 4th birthday:
On December 20, 2019, the United States Space Force (USSF) became the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces and serves within the Department of the Air Force. The establishment of the USSF resulted from the recognition that space is a national security imperative especially with the growing threat posed by strategic competitors in space. The USSF is the United States military branch of service focused solely on pursuing superiority in the space domain. Members of the USSF are referred to as Guardians.
January 18, 2024, Member Initiation Ceremony:
During the January 18, 2024 Post general membership meeting, there will be a member initiation ceremony. If you have an interest in being initiated as a member of the American Legion, please contact Ray Baldwin at phone number 443-624-9747 or by e-mail at c130flier@gmail.com. We will be conducting initiation ceremonies periodically. The official 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 been initiated in the past, is welcome to sign up. Initiated members will receive an initiation certificate and an American Legion pin.
Past Activities and Information:
November 3-5, 2023 Department of Arizona Annual Fall Conference:
Post and Auxiliary Unit 132 were the “Host” Legion Post and Auxiliary Unit for the conference held at the El Conquistador Resort in Oro Valley. A combined total of 716 Legionnaires, Sons of The American Legion and Auxiliary members, from across the state, attended the three-day conference. The “host” is responsible for volunteers to staff the Legion and the Auxiliary registration and check-in, event promotion and processing of ads for the event program guide. A major theme of this year’s conference was the American Legion’s “Be the One” initiative. The program, which encourages everyone to take action to reduce veteran suicide, emphasizes “Ask, Listen and Reach Out”.
Nov 5, Eagle Scout Court of Honor:
Scout Ricky Sanchez with Troop 007 in Oro Valley received the Eagle Scout award during his Court of Honor ceremony. Post 132 member Larry McNamee attended the award ceremony and presented Ricky with a certificate and a folded American Flag that had flown over the US Capital in his honor. The American Legion has been an active supporter of Scouting since 1919 and the Post’s Flags for Eagles program is one of the Post’s signature Americanism programs.
November 8 – November 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 the 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.
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 commander:
Steve Didio, call 520-219-9997 or email stevedidio@comcast.net.
SAL Squadron 132 commander:
Ed Davis, call 520-229-1064 or email egdavis@att.net
Riders Chapter 132 Director:
Jeff Fawks, call 520-245-8521 or email DirectorALR132@gmail.com.
Service Officer:
Jeri Harwood call 208-351-9945 or email jjakita@aol.com.
Auxiliary Unit president:
Lori Oehlert, phone 920-319-6700 or email 15oehlert@gmail.com
Past Commander/Newsletter Editor:
Ed Davis, call 520-229-1064 or email egdavis@att.net