February 11, Furniture For Veterans: Members of the Auxiliary Unit 132 and Post 132 delivered a pickup full of donated furniture and bags of clothing and blankets to the warehouse of 51 Homes for Vets in Tucson. The 100% volunteer program is a collaborative effort dedicated to ending homelessness for Tucson Veterans. Their goal is to assist veterans who are moving into permanent housing by furnishing their new home. Auxiliary Unit members, Judy Haberski and Judy Padgham along with Post 132 member, Dan McGregor picked up the donated items from the daughter of one of our deceased members. Photo, L to R: Judy Padgham, Glenn Fournier, Manager, Tucson 51 Homes and Judy Haberski. Glen was thrilled with the donations. 

February 17, Auxiliary Unit 132 makes a donation toward the treatment of PTSD: During the February membership meeting, Unit president Malinda Nay presented American Legion Arizona Department (state) Auxiliary president, Jennie Molina, a check for $1,800. The donation is in support of Dept president Molina’s targeted program, “healing those suffering with PTSD”. The special guest speaker was Carol Henricks, M.D. of Northstar Neurology. Dr. Henricks is using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to treat PTSD and TBI’s (Traumatic Brain Injuries) among other injuries and illnesses. Photo, L to R: Dept president Jennie Molina and Unit president Malinda Nay.

February 20, Fly those flags: Post 132 member Robert Gerken, a proud resident of Desert Springs in Oro Valley is very patriotic and proud of his military service in the U.S. Navy. Robert single-handedly places American stick flags around the property on patriotic holidays, much to the pleasure and appreciation of staff and residents alike. On Presidents Day, Robert placed 176 flags throughout the property. It was a sight to behold. Thank you, Robert.

February 26, On to the state competition!! The two Post 132 sponsored contestants, Caleb Rasor and Grace Shin finished first and second respectively at the American Legion Arizona Area A competition of the 2022 American Legion Oratorical Scholarship Contest. Both now advance to the state competition, March 12, and will compete against the top two finishers from each of the other two Area levels of competition. Caleb and Grace now have competed at three levels of competition finishing first and second respectively each time. The first-place winner at state will be Arizona’s delegate to the national competition in Indianapolis, IN in April. 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 four of the last six Arizona delegates sent to the national competition having been sponsored by Post 132.