Oro Valley Post 132 Newsletter, February 4, 2024.
Oro Valley Post 132 and Family activities/notices and information.
Post and Auxiliary membership meetings:
Thursday, February 15, 6:30 pm at Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. Note: Unfortunately, the pre-meeting food announced in the last newsletter will not be available for the February 15 meeting. Meetings are the 3rd Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm. The Auxiliary Unit members meet in a separate room, same time, same location. Post POC: Gary Smith, call 214-431-2187 or email ovpost132@gmail.com.
Riders Chapter 132 membership meeting:
Wednesday, February 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 – Jeff Fawks, phone 661-802-2596 or email jeff_fawks@yahoo.com.
Mark your calendar. Upcoming Dates, activities and events to remember:
February 19, 1945, the battle of Iwo Jima begins:
The first assault waves from the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions hit the beaches of Iwo Jima. The Marine Divisions on Iwo Jima were assigned five percent more Navy Hospital Corpsmen than was the standard allotment, but that proved woefully inadequate as the corpsmen’s losses were far too great for them to overcome. Corpsmen casualties in six battalions exceeded 50 percent and in one battalion exceeded 68 percent. In the 36-day battle, 332 hospital corpsmen were killed in action or died of their wounds, and another 659 corpsmen were severely wounded, requiring evacuation. Iwo Jima corpsmen received a total of 14 Navy Crosses (including six posthumous), 108 Silver Stars, and 287 Bronze Stars. Among the 27 Medals of Honor awarded to Iwo Jima veterans (the most of any battle in World War II), four were bestowed to hospital corpsmen.
Past Activities and Information:
January 18, unserviceable United States and Arizona flags disposal:
Post members Rick Gonzales, Danny Lemon and Bob Franke loaded up Rick’s truck with 1,800 unserviceable American and state flags. The Post has 13 flag drop-off collection receptacles placed throughout the community. This important service collects more than 3,500 unserviceable United States and Arizona flags each year.
January 19, Eagle Scout Court of Honor:
Scouts Sean Rowland, Tyler Olson, and Caleb Rasor, of BSA Troop 294, received their Eagle Scout awards during their Court of Honor ceremony. Post members, Larry McNamee, Bob Franke, Gene Wickey, and Tom Roblee attended the award ceremony and presented each new Eagle Scout with a folded American Flag that had been flown over the US Capital in their 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.
Honoring and Remembering:
The Post 132 Honor Guard performed at Memorial Services for the following veterans: Post 132 member Fred Sheaffer, Army Veteran, Stephen Puca, Navy / Marine Veteran, and Brian Reed, Air Force Veteran. The participation of the Post’s Honor Guard is an important and memorable part of the service and is greatly appreciated by the deceased’s family and friends.
Post 132, Making A Difference:
We continue to make a difference in the lives of veterans and service members in need. The Post and Auxiliary Unit provided fuel and grocery store gift cards to several veterans. The Post and the Auxiliary Unit have been actively supporting the family members of the soldiers of local Guard Units, which have been deployed during the past 12 months. A total of 11 fuel and grocery store gift cards have recently been provided to Guard families in need. The Post also provided financial assistance and volunteers for two family day events. Guard families in need are identified by the soldiers’ Commanders, NCOs and Chaplains.
Post Contact Info:
Facebook:
Please like, follow, and share with others to help spread the word about our Post. www.facebook.com/ovamericanlegionPost132.
Post Website:
Post Mailing address:
Oro Valley Post 132, P.O. Box 69665, Oro Valley, AZ 85737.
Auxiliary Unit Mailing Address:
Auxiliary OV Unit 132, P.O. Box 69246, Oro Valley, AZ 85737.
Post 132 general information:
Bob Franke, phone 520-909-2070.
Post 132 Commander:
Steve Didio, phone 520-332-9481 or email stevedidio@comcast.net.
SAL Squadron 132 Commander:
Ed Davis, phone 520-229-1064 or email egdavis@att.net.
Riders Chapter 132 Director:
Jeff Fawks, phone 661-802-2596 or email DirectorALR132@gmail.com.
Service Officer:
Jeri Harwood, phone 208-351-9945 or email jjakita@aol.com.
Auxiliary Unit 132 president:
Lori Oehlert, phone 920-319-6700 or email 15oehlert@gmail.com.
Past Commander/Newsletter Editor:
Ed Davis, phone 520-229-1064, or email egdavis@att.net.