Oro Valley Post 132 Newsletter, June 10, 2023.
Oro Valley Post 132 and Family activities/notices and information.
Post and Auxiliary membership meetings:
Post membership meeting:
Thursday, June 15, 6:30 pm at Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. An installation of the elected Post officers will be held. A social with complimentary refreshments follow each meeting. No June Auxiliary meeting. Their next meeting is September 21.
Riders Chapter 132 membership meeting:
Wednesday, July 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 – Garry Lawrence, phone 520-245-8521 or email faretired@gmail.com.
Upcoming Dates, activities and events to remember:
June 12-29, American Legion Baseball program:
The local American Legion baseball league, composed of nine teams, has begun play. Post 132 is sponsoring the Flowing Wells Caballeros, a team of students attending Flowing Wells High School. Come out and support our team, members of the public are welcome.
The Caballeros’ game location schedule is as follows: 6/12 Kino field #4; 6/13 FWHS; 6/15 FWHS; 6/19 MICA; 6/20 AP6; 6/22 VGHS; 6/26 FWHS; 6/27 FWHS; 6/29 Kino field #6. All Caballeros’ games start at 7 pm.
Location key: Kino = Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way; FWHS = Flowing Wells High School, 3725 W. Flowing Wells Road; VGHS Vista Grande High School, 1556 N Arizola Road, Casa Grande; MICA = MICA Mountain High School,10800 E. Valencia Road; AP6 = Arthur Pack Regional Park, 9101 N. Thornydale Road, Tucson.
June 14, National Flag Day ceremonies:
Post 132 will partner with the Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge to celebrate Flag Day. An Elks Flag Day ceremony, beginning at 11 am, will be followed at approximately 11:30 am by the formal and poignant American Legion Unserviceable Flags Ceremony concluding with the dignified and respectful ritual burning of the ceremonial flag.
Location: Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley.
June 14, United States Army birthday:
The United States Army was founded on 14 June 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized enlistment of expert riflemen to serve the United Colonies for one year.
Past Activities and Information:
May 23, POW/MIA table dedication ceremony:
Members of the Post’s Color Guard conducted a POW/MIA table and chair display dedication ceremony at Starbucks at 1st & Oracle in Oro Valley. Colors were presented and the significance of the display and the meaning of each item was explained to those present.
A 104-year tradition continues May 26-27, Memorial Day weekend:
The 2023 poppy distribution and education program was a resounding success. During the two days in front of the Fry’s food stores in Oro Valley, members of the Oro Valley American Legion Auxiliary Unit, with the help of volunteers from the Post, handed out more than 1900 poppies. In addition to the poppies, miniature American flags and book markers, printed with the story behind the poppy and its symbolism, were handed out. Members of the American Legion Auxiliary have been distributing poppies to the public for 104 years. The donations received are used to fund the Auxiliary Unit’s care and assistance programs. Sharing the story of the poppy and its recognized symbol of sacrifice is an important aspect of the Memorial Day poppy program. Many individuals make a special trip each Memorial Day weekend to get their poppy from a member of the Oro Valley Auxiliary Unit. Very few veterans service organizations now take the poppy story to the general public. Words of encouragement and appreciation from the public keep the Auxiliary Unit members motivated. A special thank you to those who made donations to the Auxiliary’s poppy program and who helped distribute the poppies.
May 29, Memorial Day service at Evergreen Cemetery:
Post and Auxiliary Unit members attended the Memorial Day service at Evergreen Cemetery in Tucson. The Post’s color guard posted and retrieved the colors and the Post’s honor guard performed a rifle volley salute. A remembrance wreath was placed by Post commander Dan McGregor and Auxiliary Unit member Chris Kennedy during the service.
May 29, Memorial Day:
Post 132 presented a patriotic program to the residents of All Seasons Senior Living in Oro Valley. Post color guard member Don Besse coordinated the event and was the master of Ceremonies. Post commander and color guard member Dan McGregor talked about the history and symbolism of the poppy. Color guard members Bob Franke, and Ray Baldwin participated.
May 30, Veteran Recognition Program:
Post Color Guard members, Jim Seppala and Danny Lemon visited Air Force veteran and Vietnam combat pilot, Larry. Such visits are part of the Post’s Veteran Recognition Program. Post members honor the service and sacrifice of homebound veterans. The program was restarted in March and since then four veterans have been visited with more visits scheduled. Volunteers are needed in support of this program. If interested, please contact Jim Seppala at phone 520-405-7158 or email jimsansep@gmail.com or Danny Lemon at phone 520-349-7325 or email ddlemon@outlook.com.
May Executive Committee Meeting Minutes:
To download a copy of the May Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, use the following button.
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