Oro Valley Post 132 Newsletter, January 27, 2025.
Oro Valley Post 132 and Family activities, notices, and information.


Post and Auxiliary Membership meetings:
Thursday, February 20, 6:30 pm at Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. Meetings are on the 3rd Thursday, 6:30 pm. A Post provided complimentary social follows each monthly meeting. Auxiliary Unit members are welcome for the after-meeting social. Auxiliary Unit members meet in a separate room, same time, same location.
Post POC: Garry Lawrence, phone # (520) 245-8521 or email at [email protected]. Auxiliary POC: Onita Davis, phone # (520) 229-1064 or email [email protected].

February 20, pre-meeting meal:
A pre-meeting meal will be available from 5:00 pm-6:00 pm. Come early for a good meal and to socialize with your fellow Post and Legion family members. This month, we will serve hot and BBQ chicken wings and potato salad. As always, a donation of $8 per person is appreciated. Serving will be from 5:00 pm until 6:00 pm or until sold out. We hope to see you there.
Post, Auxiliary Unit, SAL, and Riders members are welcome.
Post POC: Garry Lawrence, phone (520) 245-8521, email [email protected].

Riders Chapter 132 membership meeting:
Wednesday, February 5, 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 – Bob Britton, phone# (626) 277-7360 or email [email protected].
Upcoming Dates, activities and events to remember:


February 1, the next Adopt-A-Road clean-up:
Volunteers needed. Meet at 9:00 am in the East parking lot of St. Marks R.C. Church, 2727 W. Tangerine Rd. in Oro Valley. Please provide your name and phone number in advance to POC Don Besse, phone # (704)860-2257 or email [email protected]. Equipped with Post-supplied pick-up tools and trash bags, volunteers help pick up trash along a stretch of Tangerine Rd. while enjoying the company of others. This is a low-stress, fun activity. Legion, Auxiliary, Riders, and SAL members are all welcome.

February 3, National Four Chaplains Day (see date of local memorial service):
On February 3, 1943, an enemy torpedo struck the Army Troop transport Dorchester as it crossed the North Atlantic. Four Army chaplains guided the disoriented soldiers toward safety and helped to distribute life jackets. When no more life jackets were 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 annual memorial service honors the four chaplains and the 668 others who died when Dorchester sank. The local memorial service is scheduled for February 2, 1:00 pm at Kino Veterans Memorial Park, 2805 E. Ajo Way, Tucson—public welcome.

February 4, USO Birthday:
The USO organization was founded in 1941, and works in cooperation with the Department of Defense. The USO has its roots in six separate organizations including the Salvation Army, the YMCA and YWCA, Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board. These agencies combined resources to begin the USO, and troops fighting in WWII were the first to benefit. The idea of a traveling USO show performing at forward deployed locations would not only prove successful, but would become its signature program.

February 5, The American Legion Oratorical Scholarship program:
The Post-level competition of the annual American Legion United States Constitution knowledge-based oratorical contest is February 5. Since 1938, the contest has led to a more profound knowledge and appreciation of the U.S. Constitution among high school student contestants. There are five levels of competition, beginning at the local Post level and leading to the National competition. The Post’s February 5 competition is 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, phone # (262-251-2156) or email [email protected].


February 19, Navy Week 2025 is coming to Oro Valley and to the new Arizona Heroes Memorial:
The event will be held on Wednesday, February 19th at 1500 hours. Navy Week proclamations are a wonderful way for the Navy and local communities, like Oro Valley, to come together and to celebrate the Navy being in the community. It provides the Navy a chance to showcase the Navy Band Southwest and the USS Constitution color guard team, while also recognizing Vietnam War Era Veterans of all services and our U.S. Navy Gold Star family members in the Tucson area. Active-Duty crewmembers from the 2023 commissioned Fast Attack Submarine USS Arizona (SSN-803) are planning to be in attendance. At the ceremony, Vietnam Era Vets (from all services) will be invited to stand and come forward to receive a pin commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Let’s turn out for this event to honor Veterans from all Uniformed Services. The Heroes Memorial is at 810 W. Naranja Dr. (Naranja Park), Oro Valley, AZ, 85737.

February 20, Post 132 harassment policy:
The attached Post 132 harassment policy has been approved by the members of the Post’s Executive Committee and is to be distributed to all members. Members attending the February 20, 2025 general membership meeting will be asked to vote on a motion to approve the policy.
Meetings are held at the Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley.
Past Activities and Information:


VA secure sign-in changes:
Only two secure sign-in accounts (Login.gov and ID.me) will be available in 2025 to access all VA websites and apps. The “MyHealtheVet” option is removed January 31, and the “DS logon” option after September 30. Your MyHealtheVet portal can be accessed but only using Logon.gov or ID.me accounts. Link for information and details: https://www.va.gov/initiatives/prepare-for-vas-secure-sign-in-changes/.
Contact Info:
Facebook: Please like, follow and share with others to help spread the word about our Post. www.facebook.com/ovamericanlegionPost132 Post. Website: www.ovamericanlegion132.com.
Post Mailing address: Oro Valley Post 132, P.O. Box 69665, Oro Valley, AZ., 85737.
Auxiliary 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: – Tom Roblee, Phone # (509) 910-9323 or email [email protected].
Squadron 132 commander: – Ed Davis, phone # (520) 229-1064 or email [email protected].
Riders Chapter 132 Director: – Bob Britton, phone # (626) 277-7360 or email [email protected].
Service Officer: — Jeri Harwood, phone # (208) 351-9945 or email [email protected].
Auxiliary Unit 132 President: — Lori Oehlert, phone # (920) 319-6700 or email [email protected].
Past Commander/Newsletter Editor: – Ed Davis, phone # (520) 229-1064 or email [email protected].