Nov. 20, 2021 Oro Valley Post 132 Newsletter.
Oro Valley Post 132 and Family activities and info relevant to veterans Nov 20, 2021
Post and Auxiliary membership meetings:
Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Vistoso Memorial Chapel, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley. This is our special Christmas/Hanukkah meeting and social event. A complimentary catered meal, from Rosati’s Italian Restaurant, will be served beginning at 5:30 pm. An abbreviated business meeting begins at 6:30 PM. All members of the Post, Auxiliary, SAL, and Riders are invited to attend both the meal and the meeting. Some families have multiple family members who are members of the aforementioned groups, all are invited. Auxiliary Unit will not have a separate meeting.
Riders Chapter 132 membership meeting: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 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:
Nov 30, Wreaths Across America: The American Legion Oro Valley Auxiliary Unit is a local community partner of Wreaths Across America, a 501 c 3 national organization. WAA’s mission is to remember and honor those who have served our nation in uniform and its goal is that one day every veteran’s interment site will be adorned with a Remembrance Wreath. Last year volunteers placed 2.6 million wreaths across the nation with 15,000 wreaths placed at local cemeteries. The Remembrance Wreaths are sent directly to and placed at participating cemeteries by volunteers. Order your $15 handmade wreath(s) by November 30 to assure timely delivery. For more information visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org/AZ0011P or contact the Oro Valley American Legion Auxiliary at ovunit132@gmail.com
December 1: Civil Air Patrol (USAF Auxiliary) Birthday. Created Dec. 1, 1941, the Civil Air Patrol carries out emergency services and disaster relief missions nationwide. The CAP is the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. The organization is made up of citizen volunteers who are there to search for and find the lost, provide comfort in times of disaster and work to keep the homeland safe. There’s about 60,000 members nationwide. They promote aviation and related fields and help to shape future leaders through CAP’s cadet program.
December 7: Pearl Harbor Day
Dec 11, Rockin’ 4 Heroes: A wonderful opportunity to honor our First Responders, Active-Duty Military, Veterans and Gold Star Families. Public welcome. December 11, 1:30pm, James D Kriegh Park, Oro Valley. Local business sponsorships allow our heroes, their families and the public to attend this event at NO CHARGE. Event proceeds benefit The Veterans and First Responders Living Memorial which is to be built on land donated by the town of Oro Valley. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. Food trucks, and beverages will be available for your enjoyment! With multiple sold-out U.S. tours under its belt, Leonid & Friends, composed of eleven accomplished musicians, continues to astound its global audience with its unique ability in capturing the spirit, musicality, and fire of American supergroup “Chicago”.
Past Activities and Information:
Holiday gift suggestions for patients at the Tucson VA: $10-$15 Visa or Mastercard gift cards to be used by the patients at the gift shop, no-slip socks, playing cards and card games, small handheld flashlights, back scratchers, puzzle books (including large print), calendars and note pads (no toiletries/breakable items/food). Donations must be received by the Tucson VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement (formally known as Voluntary Services) no later than Dec 20. Bldg. 58. 3601 S. 6TH AVE, 85723. Call 520-629-1822 to make arrangements for the drop-off. These items are not furnished to patients by the VA. They are considered “comfort” items and are the responsibility of the patient and/or the patient’s family members. Post 132 is making a donation of needed items but anyone from the community can donate.
Exposure to Agent Orange, *Additional* presumptive medical conditions: Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun processing service-connected disability claims for six new presumptive conditions related to environmental exposures during military service. The added presumptive conditions include bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism, primarily due to Agent Orange exposure in Southeast Asia and asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis (to include rhinosinusitis), primarily due to burn pit exposure in Southwest Asia. They were added on a presumptive basis based on particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest and Southeast Asia and certain other areas. Any Veteran who was previously denied service connection for any of these six conditions but had symptoms manifest within 10 years of military service would need to file a supplemental claim. Be sure to use VA Form 20-0995, Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim when filing. The claim form should include the name of the condition and specify that the condition is being claimed due to in-service exposure to environmental hazards. Stay up to date at www.va.gov
Gulf War Veterans, VA extends presumptive period: The Department of Veterans Affairs has extended the presumptive period to Dec. 31, 2026 for qualifying chronic disabilities rated 10% or more resulting from undiagnosed illnesses in Persian Gulf War Veterans. VA presumes certain medically unexplained illnesses are related to Persian Gulf War service without regard to cause, including, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, functional gastrointestinal disorders, certain infectious diseases, and ALS. Also included are undiagnosed illnesses with symptoms that may include but are not limited to abnormal weight loss, cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, headache, menstrual disorders, neurological and psychological problems, skin conditions, respiratory disorders and sleep disturbances.
Persian Gulf War Veterans who are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above and other unexplained medical issues are encouraged to file a claim. To learn more go to VA and Gulf War Veterans , Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry page and Disability Compensation Gulf War Presumptive Disability page.
Oct 16, Quilts of Valor Presentation: Quilts of Valor Foundation’s mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with a comforting and healing Quilt of Valor. Thousands of quilters all over the US work daily to create quilts to cover warriors from all conflicts. Post 132 Color Guard Posted the Colors during the Quilts of Valor service at the Saddlebrooke HOA1 Activity Center. Each quilt is handmade by volunteers and donated to the organization. Eight Saddlebrooke Veterans, including five members of Post 132, were honored. The Post members are Al Abbott Jr US Army, Bob Franke US Army, Dick Kroese US Navy, Larry Lightfoot US Army and Jack McIntrye US Air Force.
Oct 21, Meals for residents at Tucson Fisher House: Twelve Post, Auxiliary members, and spouses set up shop in the kitchen of the Tucson Fisher House to prepare meals for the residents and staff. The mission of the Fisher House Foundation is to build comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay free of charge while a loved one is receiving medical care at the local VA facility. Sixty meals, consisting of the Post’s famous meatloaf and gravy, mashed potatoes, and green beans, were prepared and containerized for the residents. This has been an annual event but if we get additional volunteers, we may do this twice a year. It is a fun activity. Participating were Leon and Marge Donahue, George Eveland, Denise Ferchen, Noah and Seena Goldstein, Judy Haberski, Wayne and Diana Larroque, Dan McGregor, Peggy Smith, and Gene Wickey.
Oct 23, Nam to Sand Jam: An annual event held at Reid Park in Tucson, a gathering place for veterans’ resource providers, fun, food, camaraderie, and music. The Jam began as an event to welcome home Vietnam veterans but has expanded to include veterans of all eras. It is a community salute to all Veterans, Military, and their families. Bands and singing groups performed throughout the day. Photo: Post 132 members Rick Gonzales and Jim Barnhart.
Oct 23, Military Appreciation Evening: Post 132 Color Guard Posted the Colors and presented a Flag Folding ceremony during the Military Appreciation Evening at the Elks Lodge 385. Five Post 132 Color Guard members participated in the event: Fred Sheaffer and Gene Wickey as Riflemen and Leon Donahue and Dan McGregor as Flag Bearers. John Madaloni (Team Leader) and Dan McGregor demonstrated the Flag Folding procedure while First Vice Commander, Steve Didio gave an account of the symbol of each of the 13 folds.
