May 16, 2022 Newsletter.
Oro Valley Post 132 and Family activities and pertinent info May 16, 2022.
Post and Auxiliary membership meetings: Thursday, 6:30pm, May 19. Special guest, Caleb Rasor and his mother, will attend. Caleb, a sophomore at BASIS High School in Oro Valley, represented Post 132 as he competed in the 2022 American Legion U.S. Constitution based oratorical contest. Caleb placed 1st at all 4 levels of state competition and represented Arizona at the national competition. Caleb will relate his experience and thank Post members for their support. The election of Post officers for the 2022-2023 leadership year will also take place. A social with complimentary refreshments follow each meeting of the Post and Auxiliary. Meetings are 3rd Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm at the Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. 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, June 1st, 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.
Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron 132 membership meeting: Saturday, May 21, 10:30 am, at the Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. Installation of officers will take place.
Buddy check: The members of the leadership team are wrapping up another round of a “buddy check” calling initiative. The calls are to check on the welfare of our members and to inquire if they are in need of assistance. We have almost 500 members so this is a herculean effort.
Upcoming Dates and activities to remember (Mark Your Calendars):
May 21, Armed Forces Day: On Aug. 31, 1949, Defense Secretary Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the armed forces under one agency — the Department of Defense.
May 21, 9:00 am, next Adopt-A-Road clean-up: 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 your 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 Road while enjoying the company of others. This is a low-stress, fun activity. Legion, Auxiliary, Riders, and SAL members are welcome.
June 6, American Legion Southern Arizona Baseball: Opening night ceremony followed by multiple league games at Kino Veterans Memorial Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way, Tucson 85713. Field 5 at 6PM. Post 132 sponsors a team in each of the senior and the junior leagues. The teams are comprised of players from local junior high schools and high schools. Carry your Legion membership card for free admission for you and guests. Park in the lot south of the stadium. Come out and support our teams. Public welcome. POC is Alex Blandeburgo 520- 631-2124, blandeburgo@icloud.com.
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 hope, 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 honored programs which benefit veterans and service members in need, the youth of our community and which promote traditional American values. See attached Golf Tournament flyer & Post 132 background and programs information document.
Past Activities and Information:
Honor Flight of Southern Arizona has restarted their sponsored flights. Honor Flight’s mission is to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans who answered the call of duty by flying them to Washington DC for a tour of the memorials. These no-cost trips originate from Tucson Airport. American Legion Oro Valley Post and Auxiliary Unit 132 are partners with the Honor Flight program of Southern Arizona. If you are interested in participating in a future Honor Flight, submit your application now. Website: http://honorflightsaz.org, or call 520-204-1391. They are accepting applications from WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War-era veterans who served on active duty. Post 132 commander, Wayne Larroque, recently participated in an Honor Flight and said “It was an experience of a lifetime”.
April 19, Eagle Scout Court of Honor: Two Post 132 members attended an Eagle Scout Court of Honor and presented an American Flag that had been flown over the US Capitol to each of two Eagle Scouts of Troop 299. Eagle Scout is Scouting’s highest rank. Those honored were, Blake Dean and Alec Imrich. Post members Bob Franke and Gene Wickey had the pleasure of honoring the two Eagle Scouts.
April 23, Missing in America Project (MIAP): Post 132 Honor Guard Posted the Colors and rendered Military Funeral Honors during the MIAP service. The purpose of the MIAP is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American Veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations. On this day, the unclaimed remains of 23 veterans were interred with full military honors at the AZ State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Marana. A large gathering of individuals was present to show their respect. The Post’s eleven-member Honor Guard, known and respected throughout southern Arizona, performed flag pole duties, the firing salute and playing of TAPS. Members of our Riders Chapter provided bottle water for all in attendance. Thanks to all who attended and for serving as family to these veterans. Along with Post 132 Commander Larroque, the Honor Guard members present were Dan McGregor, Tom Roblee, Jim Horton, Don Besse, Leon Donahue, Gene Wickey and Jim Barnhart as Riflemen, John Madaloni as Team Leader, Laurnene Frey and Jim Martens as Flag Bearers and Rick Gonzales as Bugler.
Post 132 Contact Information:
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 602-535-1215
Auxiliary Unit President: Melinda Nay ovunit132@gmail.com
Auxiliary Unit website: www.ovunit132.info
Auxiliary Unit mailing address: Oro Valley Unit 132, PO Box 69246, Oro Valley, AZ 85737
Ed Davis, Past Commander/Newsletter Editor, 520-229-1064, egdavis@att.net