January 28, 2022 Newsletter.
Oro Valley Post 132 and Family activities and info relevant to veterans.
Post and Auxiliary membership meetings: Thursday, February 20 at the Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. A social with complimentary refreshments will 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.
Riders Chapter 132 membership meeting: Wednesday, Feb 2, 6:30 pm at Elks Lodge #385, 1800 N. Oracle Rd. Meetings are on the 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. Riders Chapter 132 Director – Rick Bernard 510-493-1559, rreb59@gmail.com
Upcoming Dates and activities to remember (Mark Your Calendars):
February 3, 79th annual National Four Chaplains Day (local memorial service is Feb 6): The story: On Feb. 3, 1943, an enemy torpedo struck the Army transport Dorchester as it carried 902 officers and enlisted men, Navy armed guard, merchant seamen and civilian workers in the North Atlantic. The Coast Guard cutter escorts Comanche and Escanaba rescued 230 men. As Dorchester took on water, four Army chaplains – Lt. George L. Fox (Methodist), Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Lt. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic), and Lt. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed) – calmed frightened soldiers, aided the wounded and guided the disoriented toward safety. On deck, they began distributing life jackets. When there were no more available, the chaplains removed their life jackets and gave them to four young men. As the ship went down, men in rafts saw the four chaplains, arms linked and braced against the slanting deck, singing hymns and praying. How we remember them: Every year, American Legion Posts nationwide commemorate the selfless acts of the Four Chaplains on or near Feb. 3, designated Four Chaplains Day by Congress in 1948. The American Legion Family and members of local communities honor the chaplains and the 668 other men who died when Dorchester sank. The local Four Chaplains Day observance will take place February 6, 1pm, at Kino Veterans Memorial Park, 2805 E. Ajo Way, Tucson. Post 132’s Honor Guard will perform a firing salute and a representative of the Post and Auxiliary unit will place a wreath during the service. Due to COVID related restrictions, attendance is limited, but the memorial service will be live streamed on the South Lawn Cemetery’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FunerariaDelAngelSouthLawn/.
February 9, The American Legion Oratorical Scholarship program: An annual US Constitution knowledge-based oratorical contest in which high school students compete. The Post 132 sponsored program is the most successful in the state of Arizona with Post 132 having sponsored four of the last six Dept. of Arizona delegates sent to the national competition. The Post level of competition of the 2022 program takes place at the Vistoso Memorial Chapel at 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley, February 9, 4 pm -6 pm. We need 10 volunteers, performing simple assignments, to conduct the official competition. Assignments to be filled are judges, timekeepers, contestant escorts, holding rooms monitors, and ushers. Please consider volunteering and supporting these talented and patriotic students who orate about citizenship and the U.S. Constitution. Even if you are not volunteering, please attend to show your support. The annual national program consists of five levels of competition beginning at the local Post level leading to the National competition with monetary awards at each level. If you are interested in volunteering and supporting this important youth citizenship program, please contact George Eveland 540-446-9801 or w8vg1996@gmail.com . You will be glad that you did. COVID precaution-compliant measures will be in effect.
Feb 26, Post 132 “Adopt-A-Road” clean-up: Saturday Feb 26, 0900 hrs. It’s that time again. Volunteers needed. Meet in the East 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 pick-up tools and trash bags, help pick up trash along a stretch of Tangerine Rd. while enjoying the company of fellow members. This is a low-stress, fun activity. Post, Auxiliary, SAL, and Riders members are welcome.
March 12, “Stuff the Truck” with pet supplies: Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans (TVSV), the sponsoring organization of the March 16 Stand Down Resource Fair event for all Veterans in Need, is conducting a Stuff the Truck event. This event is to collect items for the pets of the Veterans attending the Resource Fair. If you have a love of animals and would like to help our less fortunate Veterans, this is a great opportunity. When: Saturday, March 12, 10AM-2PM. Where: PETSMART at 4374 N. Oracle Rd. Tucson, AZ. What is needed: Wet and dry kitten/cat and puppy/dog unopened food, treats, toys, leashes, collars, blankets, harnesses, collapsible bowls and portable water bowls. Note: Cannot accept medications and open packages of food. Post and Auxiliary Unit 132 are sponsoring community partners of TVSV.
March 16, Tucson Stand Down for homeless and At Risk veterans and their families: Volunteers needed: The Purpose of Stand Down is to provide veterans with access to services such as medical care, employment opportunities, housing, legal services, disability claims assistance, meals, clothing, care for their pets and more. Location: Grand Luxe Hotel, 1365 W. Grant Rd, Tucson. Volunteers needed March 14 (sort donated clothing), March 15 (set up) and March 16 Resource Day. Resource Day volunteers needed for registration, the clothing “store”, food service, escorts, security and other tasks (not required to be a member of the Oro Valley Post or Auxiliary to volunteer). Sign up to volunteer at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44ABA62BA2F4C1 Event volunteer POC is Bruce Hamilton, tucsonveterans.bruce@gmail.com 623-687-5552. The Post and Auxiliary make an annual financial donation and field more volunteers than any other community partner of the sponsoring organization, the Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans (TVSV). The Post will be collecting unopened hygiene and personal care items and new and gently used casual clothing at specific collection locations prior to the event. Date and locations TBD. Clothing donation POC is Marcia Wohlhueter, wohlhueter@yahoo.com 520-704-2251.
Past Activities and Information:
