American Legion Oro Valley Post 132, Auxiliary and SAL activities and info relevant to veterans, August 22, 2021
Post and Auxiliary membership meeting: Thursday, Sept 16, 6:30pm at Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd, Oro Valley. A social with complimentary refreshments follow each meeting of the Post and Auxiliary. Meetings are 3rd Thursday of the month, 6:30pm. Auxiliary members meet in a separate room, same time, same location.
Riders Chapter 132 membership meeting: Wednesday, Sept 1, 6:30pm at Elks Lodge #385, 1800 N. Oracle Rd. Meetings are on 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm. Members of the American Legion Riders are members of the Legion, Sons of the American Legion and of the Auxiliary, who are motorcycle riding enthusiasts.
Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron 132 membership meeting: Saturday, Sept. 18, 9:30am, at the Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. POC POC is Gary Smith 214-431-2187 or ovsquadron132@gmail.com
Upcoming Dates and activities to remember:
September 11 – Patriot Day (American flag to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset)
September 17 – Constitution Day (or Citizenship Day) Normally observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia
September 18- 74th Air Force Birthday
September 19- POW/MIA Recognition Day
September 30 – Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day
Sept 18, Post 132 “Adopt-A-Road” clean-up: Saturday Sept 18, 0900 hrs. It’s that time again. Volunteers needed. Meet in parking lot of St. Marks R.C. Church, 2727 W Tangerine Rd in Oro Valley. Please provide name and phone number in advance to POC Tom Roblee, roblee.thomas@yahoo.com or 509-910-9323. Equipped with provided pick-up tools and trash bags, help pick up trash along a stretch of Tangerine while enjoying the company of fellow members. This is a low stress, fun activity. Post, Auxiliary, SAL and Riders members are welcome.
Past Activities and Information:
July 11, lunch for Arizona National Guard Soldiers: Post 132 provided lunch for the soldiers of Bravo Company, 2-285 Assault Helicopter Battalion. Bravo Company is located at Silverbell Army Heliport in Marana, AZ. The lunch was provided for the soldiers returning from their Annual Training tour. Post 132 provided BBQ Chicken, Pulled Pork, Rolls, Potato Salad, Chips, Water and Soda. The Unit wives brought ice cream for dessert. The Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Marana prepared the BBQ. Many thanks to Rick and Rosie Gonzales, Post and Auxiliary members respectively, and to the wives of the soldiers for helping. We served about 50 soldiers.
July 30, Honoring and Remembering: Post 132 Honor Guard rendered Military Funeral Honors in two separate services at the Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Marana. The first service was for John Reese, USAF Veteran and the second was for Myron “Bill” Spencer, also a USAF Veteran. Seven Post 132 Honor Guard members participated in the event: John Madaloni Team Captain, Jim Barnhart, Ray Baldwin, Danny Lemon, Jim Martens and Gene Wickey as Riflemen and Dan McGregor as Bugler. Post Commander Wayne Larroque presented the folded flag to the families of the deceased Veterans. Both families were deeply touched by the service and expressed their sincerest gratitude for the Post 132 Honor Guard participation. 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. Join this special group of dedicated veterans. Always room for more. Uniforms provided by the Post.
August 14, the “Stuff the Truck” with pet supplies was a huge success. The Stuff the Truck event collected items for the pets of the homeless Veterans attending the August 18 Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans (TVSV) sponsored Resource Fair. In addition to the supplies generated by the Stuff the Truck event, grooming and veterinarian care were provided to the pets during the Resource Fair. Post and Auxiliary Unit 132 are proud partners of TVSV.
August 16, clothing collection: new socks, underwear, hygiene items and new and gently used casual clothes were donated by the residents of Splendido, an adult living community, located in Oro Valley. The donated items were for the veterans in need attending the August 18 Resource Fair. The clothing filled an oversize pickup truck to overflowing. Member of the community Kay Williams collected a large trunk full of hygiene items from her neighbors of Vistoso Village.
August 18, helping our less fortunate veterans: The Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans (TVSV) sponsored Stand Down One Day Resource Fair for Veterans in need was a resounding success. The purpose of Stand Down events are to provide a safe environment where homeless and “at risk’ veterans have access to services such as medical care, employment opportunities, housing, legal services, disability claims counseling, meals, clothing, care for their pets and much more. One hundred and nine veterans attened, twenty-one who are homeless, many with families. More than forty local assistance/service providers were present. Post 132, Auxiliary, SAL and Riders members filled forty-two volunteer assignments for the stuff the truck event, two days of Resource Fair set-up, and the day of the Resource Fair. Our volunteers make it happen.
We’re off to a great start for the 2022 membership year: If you have not already done so, please consider renewing now. Your 2021 membership is valid through December 31, but each Legion Post is expected to meet a series of membership benchmark reporting dates, beginning with Sept 15 and ending at 100% of goal by Dec 31. You do not need the renewal notice to remit your membership dues payment. Renewing online is a convenient and easy alternative to mailing a check. Go to www.legion.org/renew. You will need to enter your membership number. Contact me if you need assistance, Steve Didio stevedidio@comcast.net or 520-219-9997. If you are mailing a check, make payable to American Legion OV Post 132, and mail to P.O. Box 69665, Oro Valley, AZ 85737. We finished the 2021 membership year at 102% of our membership goal with 494 members. Just a short 12 years ago we began our journey with 77 members. No other Legion Post in Arizona has had a better sustained growth. Our Post is recognized for its leadership, its active and friendly members and its many award-winning programs. Thank you for your membership.
See attached August Executive Committee meeting minutes below.
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
Post Website: www.ovamericanlegion132.com
Post Mailing address: Oro Valley Post 132, PO Box 69665, Oro Valley, AZ 85737
SAL Squadron 132 email address: ovsquadron132@gmail.com
Post 132 commander – Wayne Larroque 520-301-5303 xlcajun@gmail.com
SAL Squadron 132 commander – Ed Davis 520-229-1064 egdavis@att.net
Riders Chapter 132 Director – Rick Bernard 510-493-1559 rreb59@gmail.com
Service Officer: Carla Hodge – 602-255-3373 chodge@azdvs.gov
Auxiliary Unit president: ovunit132@gmail.com
Ed Davis, Past Commander/Newsletter Editor, 520-229-1064, egdavis@att.net