April 1, 2022 Newsletter.
Oro Valley Post 132 and Family activities and info relevant to veterans.
Post and Auxiliary membership meetings: Thursday, April 21at the 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, 6:30 pm. Auxiliary members meet in a separate room, same time, same location. Post POC: Gary Smith 214-431-2187 or ovpost132@gmail.com.
Riders Chapter 132 membership meeting: Wednesday, April 6, 6:00 pm at Elks Lodge #385, 1800 N. Oracle Rd. Meetings are on 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:00 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. Riders Chapter 132 Director – Rick Bernard 510-493-1559 rreb59@gmail.com.
Upcoming Dates and activities to remember (Mark Your Calendars):
April 23, Missing in America Project (MIAP): The mission of MIAP is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed remains of American military veterans. At 8:00 am, a brief memorial service followed by the transfer of the urns to a motorcycle pulled hearse will occur at the Adair Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern Ave in Oro Valley. A procession of motorcyclists will then escort the hearse to the Arizona State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 15950 N. Luckett Rd in Marana. The service at the cemetery, consisting of full military honors, begins at 10:00 am. Set aside some time to attend the service and to honor and remember these forgotten heroes. The Post 132 Honor Guard plays an important role in the service and the members of Riders Chapter 132 provide water for all attendees. MIAP Post POC: Rick Gonzales, 520-400-2613 or rickygonzo494@gmail.com.
Past Activities and Information:
March 5, Stuff the Truck Event: Generous shoppers donated pet supplies and food for the pets of homeless and other needy veterans. The Stuff The Truck event was a huge success. Pet food, supplies, and accessories filled a truck. Many of the veterans who attended the Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans (TVSV) sponsored March 16 Stand Down event for homeless and needy veterans brought their pets. Volunteers from the Post and Auxiliary Unit were on hand in support of Stuff The Truck day.
March 12, On to National!: A stellar performance by the two Post 132 sponsored contestants who competed at the state level of the American Legion Oratorical Scholarship program. Caleb Rasor placed first and Grace Shin placed third among the best six contestants in the state. Caleb now advances to the national competition to be held in Indianapolis, IN in April. Caleb and Grace, both sophomores at BASIS High School in Oro Valley, had placed first and second respectively in the previous three levels of competition. American Legion State Commander Ben Headen presented Caleb and Grace with their certificates. The annual American Legion U.S. Constitution knowledge based oratorical contest is designed to instill a greater knowledge and appreciation of the U.S. Constitution among high school students. The Post’s program is the most successful in the state with five of the last seven Arizona delegates sent to the national competition having been sponsored by Post 132. A special thank you must go to Post members Larry McNamee and George Eveland for their program leadership.
March 16, Tucson Stand Down for homeless and other needy Veterans and their families: In addition to financial support, twenty-three members of the Post and Auxiliary Unit were on hand to help ensure that the Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans (TVSV) sponsored event was a resounding success. The mission of Stand Down is to provide homeless and other needy Veterans and their families with services such as employment opportunities, housing, legal services, meals, haircuts, clothing, and care for their pets. One hundred and sixty Veterans participated along with many family members. Of the 160 Veterans, 32 were homeless and the remaining 128 were in need of special care and assistance. More than 50 service providers participated. Post 132 and Auxiliary Unit 132 were recognized for their extraordinary volunteer support of the event and for coordinating the collection of a large supply of hygiene items and new and gently used clothing from caring and generous individuals, businesses, and organizations.
