June 5, 2022 Newsletter.
OV Post 132 Special Post Meeting.
Thursday, June 16, Special Post meeting with a complimentary catered meal. Meal service begins at 5:15 pm, meeting begins at 6:30 pm and will include the installation of the Post officers for the 2022-2023 leadership year. Please attend to show your support for the Post’s newly elected officers. Members of the Legion, SAL, ALR, and Auxiliary are invited to enjoy the catered meal. No guests this time, please. The meal is catered by Rosati’s Italian Restaurant. Note: No Post or Auxiliary meetings during July and August. The next meetings will be on September 15. Meeting location: Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. POC: Gary Smith 214-431-2187 or ovpost132@gmail.com.
Upcoming Dates and activities to remember (mark your calendar):
June 14, U. S. Army Birthday: Happy birthday to the largest branch of the United States (U.S.) military, the U.S. Army! Today, the Army celebrates 247 years of service to our great nation. To our Army Veterans, thank you for making our Army the most formidable in the world, and for the many sacrifices you’ve made to protect our country. Again, happy birthday to the U.S. Army!
June 14, Flag Day ceremonies: Post 132 will again partner with the Catalina Mountain Elks Lodge to celebrate National Flag Day. An Elks Flag Day ceremony, beginning at 1111 am will be followed at 12:15 am by the formal and moving American Legion Unserviceable Flags Ceremony with the Post Color Guard and concluding with the dignified and respectful ritual burning of the ceremonial flag. Post 132 collects more than 3500 unserviceable American flags each year for proper disposal. A catered lunch will follow but please RSVP to Wayne Larroque at ovpost132@gmail.com or call 520-825-0732 if staying for lunch. Location: Vistoso Memorial Chapel (same location as our monthly meetings) 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd. Oro Valley.
June 22. Passage of the GI Bill: Did you know that The American Legion drafted the original tenets of the legislation and played a lead role, despite early opposition (documented) by all other Veterans organizations of the time, in the passage of the June 22, 1944 Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, better known as the GI Bill? Did you know that the American Legion’s version of the GI Bill legislation was the only version submitted to Congress that specifically included minorities and women as beneficiaries of the legislation?
June 23-26, 103rd American Legion Department of AZ Convention: Post 132 has the honor of being the local host Post of this major event. The Oro Valley El Conquistador Resort is the venue. The host Post is responsible for volunteers to staff on-site registration of Legion and SAL members attending the event. The host is also responsible for promoting, receiving, and processing ads received from businesses and organizations from the local community for inclusion in the event program guidebook, a copy of which is provided to each of the 900 plus attendees. Attention please: We have a need for additional volunteers to help out with on-site registration. If interested in helping please contact Michael Bartelle at bartellemichael@gmail.com or 520-279-5393.
13th Annual Post 132 Golf Tournament: Fundraising is a vitally important activity which allows us to fund our award-winning programs. To help us carry on our mission of care and assistance, we are sponsoring our 13th annual golf tournament, August 27, at the SaddleBrooke Mountain View Golf Club. Help spread the word. One hundred percent of the proceeds are used to fund our nationally acclaimed programs that benefit local veterans and service members in need, the youth of our community and which promote traditional American values. Quote: “The American Legion Oro Valley Post 132 has been a steadfast ray of hope to our less fortunate veterans by providing care and assistance when most needed”. Words spoken by the Chairman of the Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans Alliance. We ARE making a difference. See attached flyer & Post 132 background document. POC is Steve Didio, golf tournament chair, at 520-332-9481 or stevedidio@comcast.net or go to our website https://ovamericanlegion132.com/charity-golf-tournament-august-27-2022/
Past Activities and Information:
Membership: Another exceptional year thanks to our loyal members. We finished the membership year at 101% of our membership goal with 514 members. Just a short 13 years ago we began our journey with 77 members. Our Post is recognized for its exemplary leadership, its active and friendly members, and our many award-winning programs. Thank you for making it happen.
