Commander’s Message
November-December 2017
Fall 2017
The start of Legion
activities for the 2017-18 year are under way with fabulous turnouts to
meetings in all three months. There were over 40 members at the September, October,
and November meetings. We hosted a
Dinner at the November meeting and invited the Ladies Auxiliary to join us and
had another great turnout. Thanks to Andy Buckman for putting together a great
meal. We also made our annual donations to our Guests Pam Payer of Wounded
Heroes of Maine, as well as Lisa Lapierre for Quilts of Valor at the November
meeting. Your Post has also been busy raising money to support local Veteran’s
and the community!
Citizenship Dinner
We hosted a great Dinner for 103 guests. We established and awarded the Mark T. Pilgrim Americanism award to Kathy Locke and Kris Bisson for their 17 years of work on the Honor of Veterans Celebration at Marshwood Middle School. The Dinner was dedicated in Mark’s Memory and his wife Ann and daughter Kegan attended. Andy Buckman received the Volunteer of the Year Award, Congrats Andy. We later presented the NOBLE Culinary Arts Program and Chef John Couture with a COA and a $300.00 Scholarship Donation for their great job catering the Dinner. $150.00 raised in the 50/50 was sent to Partners for World Health to aid in the Puerto Rico Hurricane relief effort. My sincere thanks go out to the Dinner Committee and all those who support this outstanding event.
National Commander Rohan Visit
On September 30 we hosted an
awesome luncheon for National Commander Rohan with 100 guests. The Riders
provided a motorcade escort from Porter in the rain, much to the surprise and
delight of our fine Commander. Beverly Cassady presented the Patriotic quilt
and lobster scarf which she enjoyed very much. Andy Buckman and Ron Vigue also
presented Tom Hussey (CEO Hussey Seating) with a Flag Presentation Case for
their display room in recognition of their Support of the POW/MIA Program. A
COA was later presented to the Ladies Auxiliary for the excellent support of
the event. Special thanks to Paul and Dianna Lapierre for shopping and their
hard work in preparing the food and Chuck and Rosanne for some great potato and
pasta salads.
Fall Fundraiser-Supper
The Raffle and Fall
Supper/Bake Sale was a huge success Paul Lapierre and his Veterans and
Community Support Committee did an outstanding job again this year. Paul and the committee raised over $8,100
through the fall raffle and $170.00 on the Spaghetti Supper, 10% percent of the
funds raised will be distributed throughout the community. Thanks to Paul and
the committee and all those who supported these events. This will be Paul
Lapierre’s last Spaghetti Supper and we thank him for all his hard work on this
very successful event over the years. If anyone is interested in taking over
this project please contact Paul or myself.
Veterans Honor Celebration Award
At the Honor of Veterans Celebration held on Nov 3rd at Marshwood Middle School Tony Cincotta presented Principal Tony Bourbon an Award for their 17 years of work on the Honor of Veterans Celebration.
Veteran’s Day Celebrations
Fifteen Post members and Auxiliary attended a Veteran’s Day Celebration at the Noble Middle School. Several members also attended a ceremony at the Great Works School in South Berwick
The Berwick Veteran’s Day Ceremony was moved indoors due to weather and well attended with over 100 people. Thanks to all who participated and supported the event. It included an outstanding 18 year old Bagpiper, Girl Scouts who shared a poem, and a local Coast Guardsman guest speaker who had great stories to share about his families War Veterans.
Community Support and Donations
The Post has assisted a local Veteran in tough times by purchasing a vehicle so he can seek employment. We also have recently approved a donation to purchase 2 pallets of water for the Troops at Pease Greeters. There are 21 upcoming Flights please show your support for our Service members and they will greatly appreciate it. Phil Jenks accepted an Award for our sponsorship of Berwick Youth Soccer on October 28th, and thanks to Joelle Mcintyre for her time spent coaching and finishing out a great season.
Facebook and Help Wanted
Beverly Cassady has started a new Facebook page and has volunteered to Chair the Social Media Committee, thanks Beverly. She has migrated information from the Web site and posted dates and photos, Great job Beverly.
We are also looking for a Post Adjutant assistant to work with Chuck Bogdan. The Adjutant is a very important Post position and acts as Secretary of other organized bodies. Duties include maintaining membership records and meeting minutes. Chuck has done an outstanding job as Adjutant and has spent numerous hours updating files and entering them in the computer. He needs your help so if you are interested please call Chuck or myself.
Firing Detail
Lynn
Rendell has volunteered to head up the rifle detail, thank you, Lynn. We would
like to have a roster available for Military Funerals, Parades, etc. Contact Lynn or myself if you are interested.
We do a great job with these events and we certainly owe it to our members who
have passed on and I know their families really appreciate it.
Blood Drives Save Lives
We hosted successful blood drives in August and October to the satisfaction of the American Red Cross. Thanks to our Chairman Dennis Ouellette, Paul Heberzettl and all the other volunteers who helped make it a success. These drives together saved 15 lives great job!
Membership and Recruiting
We have paid dues for members
over eighty as approved at the May meeting, it’s the least we can do for these
members who have done so much. We are wrapping up our 2017-2018 membership, you
should have received your cards by now, if not please Contact Chuck Bogdan.
We voted in new member James Buchanan, and a transfer from Post 178 Paul
Amatucci at the November meeting. Dan Cassady who recently joined the Post with
wife Beverly returned from a six month deployment was also in attendance. Thank
you for your Service Dan.
Andy
Buckman spearheaded another highly successful recruiting day during the
November 7th election and again recruited several new members, Great
job Andy!
Kick Stands Up
Our
Legion Riders have been busy also. They escorted National Commander Rohan from
Porter to Berwick, great job Riders! They have made significant donations to
the Preble Street shelter in Portland, and held a scrapbooking fundraiser in
Oct as well donating $300.00 in needed items, and recently held election of
officers for 2018.
Sick Call
Girard Vaillancourt has been in Wentworth Hospital with pneumonia for several weeks and can have visitors, please stop by for a visit.
Again,
I sincerely thank you all for your continued hard work and support.
On the Horizon
December 2nd , 2:30 pm, Berwick-Somersworth Holiday Parade
December 5th , 7:00 pm, Next Post Meeting
December 30th,, 8:00 am to 2;00 pm, Blood Drive, Berwick Methodist Church
For God and Country,
Jeff Chase
Commander
See the ARCHIVES page for previous Commander's Messages