Oro Valley Post 132 Newsletter, January 26, 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. Please note: Food will be available beginning at 5:00 pm until 6:00 pm. This month’s menu is croissant sandwiches, potato salad, and macaroni salad. Please consider a free-will donation to help defray the cost. A complimentary social still follows each meeting of the Post and Auxiliary. Meetings are the 3rd Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm. Auxiliary Unit members meet in a separate room, same time, same building. Post POC: Gary Smith, phone 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:
January 30, #BeTheOne program training:
As part of the American Legion’s ongoing commitment to supporting veterans through #BeTheOne, a special session about service dogs is scheduled for January 30, 7:00 pm EST. Please use the blue button, below, to register.
February 4, 1 pm(Note time change), National Four Chaplains Day:
On February 3, 1943, an enemy torpedo struck the Army transport Dorchester as it crossed the North Atlantic. Four Army chaplains – Lt. George L. Fox (Methodist), Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Lt. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic), and Lt. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed) helped to distribute life jackets. When there were no more available, they gave theirs to four soldiers. As the ship went down, men in rafts saw the four chaplains, arms linked and braced against the slanting deck, singing hymns and praying. The local memorial service is tentatively scheduled for February 4, 1:00 pm at the Kino Veterans Memorial Park, 2805 E. Ajo Way, Tucson. The public is welcome.
February 4, USO Birthday:
The organization known as United Service Organizations or USO was founded Feb 4, 1941. It functions in cooperation with the Department of Defense. The USO has its roots in six separate organizations, the Salvation Army, the YMCA and YWCA, the Catholic Community Services, the National Travelers Aid Association, and the National Jewish Welfare Board. These six agencies combined resources to begin the USO. The idea of a traveling USO show performing at forward-deployed locations would not only prove successful but would become its signature program.
February 7, The American Legion Oratorical Scholarship program:
An annual United States Constitution knowledge-based oratorical contest in which high school students compete. The Post level of competition of the 2024 program takes place February 7, 3:00 -5:30 pm at the Vistoso Memorial Chapel at 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. Please attend and support these talented and patriotic students. POC is Larry McNamee, call 262-251-2156 or email ljmcnamee@gmail.com.
Past Activities:
Tucson Fisher House Meal Preparation:
Ten Post 132 and Auxiliary Unit members convened in the kitchen of the Tucson Fisher House to prepare meals for the residents and staff. A Fisher House is a home away from home where the families of service members and veterans can stay free of charge while their loved ones are receiving medical care at the local VA. More than 60 meals were prepared for the families to enjoy during their stay. Volunteers: Pictured L-R: Rick Gonzales, Dan McGregor, Leon Donahue, Peggy Smith, Marge Donahue (sitting), Roslyn Walton, Rosie Gonzales, Judy Haberski, Denise Ferchen, Gene Wickey.
January 3, Unserviceable Flag grommet removal:
Seven Post members removed the brass grommets from 1,500 unserviceable United States & Arizona State Flags that had been dropped off at the Post’s 13 flags collection locations throughout the community. These grommets will be melted down and cast into a Ship’s Bell for the new USS ARIZONA SSN-803 (A Virginia-class submarine), the first to carry the name since the loss of the USS Arizona Battleship (BB-39) during the attack on Pearl Harbor. This will be the fourth United States Navy Vessel named for the state of Arizona, (USS Arizona 1858 served in the American Civil War, USS Neshaminy Launched in 1865 but never commissioned, was renamed Arizona in 1869, and the USS Arizona (BB-39), a Pennsylvania class Battleship launched in 1915. Pictured Left-to-Right, Rick Gonzales, John Wilyat, Bob Franke, Dan McGregor, and Gary Smith. Not pictured are Garry Lawrence, and Tom Roblee, the Photographer. The other photo shows a mockup of the bell.
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 general information:
Bob Franke, call 520-909-2070.
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