COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

IIt comes with heartfelt apologies for not remembering an input to last month’s newsletter, I want to personally thank Diane Kozicki (31 Year Unit Member) on behalf of Frank E. Booma Post 6 who through the kindness of her heart, took the time to make and donate several beautiful Afghans that were delivered and distributed at the Veteran’s Home in Tilton, NH.  They were delivered by George McCall.  Thank You Diane and please accept my warmest thank you and sincere apology and thank you George for delivering them.  First nominations for officers will be at our upcoming meeting, Thursday, February 19, 2009.  The Post needs you, step up and consider becoming an officer of the Post.  The Chain-of-Command voted positions are as follows; Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Junior Vice Commander, Adjutant, Finance Officer, Service Officer, Asst. Service Officer, Judge Advocate, Chaplain, Historian and Sergeant-at-Arms.  The other voted position (3) is the Audit Committee.  The only requirement in becoming an officer of the Post is that you are a member in good standing.  If you are not able to attend this meeting, submit a letter of intent as to the position you are campaigning.  Second nominations will be at the March meeting for those of you who want to be present to announce your candidacy.  We are bursting at the seams with good veterans with large hearts, some of whom either hold or have held a previous office and others I would like to see get more involved.  The Post is having a great year and I can see it getting better. The National Commander Dave Rehbein of Iowa (The Hawkeye or Corn State) will be visiting the Department and several Posts throughout the state he arrives at Post 6 on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 1700 hours.  Come visit with him and shake his hand.  The Post will be hosting St. Valentine's Day dinner on Saturday, February 14, 2009.  The menu will be Chicken Cordon Blue and Baked Stuffed Sole with all the fixings plus desert.  The men will be serving the ladies, the cost is $10.00 for men and the ladies are free.  To be served in the upstairs hall from 6:00 -

8:00pm.  It’s my sad duty to report that Rickey Stewart Sr. (5 year member) has been called to the high command and has gone to report to the Commander of us all.  May his soul go marching on.

 Frank Desper, Post Commander

 ADJUTANT’S MESSAGE

 Again members are receiving "Annual Dues Notices", as I have said in the past, disregard these notices, if you have paid your membership for the year in question. The reason some member receive these notice has to do with membership target dates, that are set by National Headquarters. If your dues are not received by National Headquarters on one of the assigned target dates, which there are seven target dates, that start at 50% National assumes that you have not paid your membership for that year question, then you are sent an "Annual Dues Notice". I say again as I have said in the Past disregard those notice. At present are membership stands at 75.79%, so far we have been meeting our target date, our target date is February 14, 2009 for 80%. The American Legion National Commander will visit New Hampshire February 15-17, 2009. The National Commander will visit Post 6 for a light meal, Tuesday, February 17, 2009 if you can come and meet your National Commander.

George McCall, Post Adjutant

JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

I have very little to report this month so I am going to make this article more a documentary or opinion page if you will.

One of the American Legion's primary policies is getting out the vote in this country. I want to address that issue.

My father in law was born in 1909 and died in 1978. I used to envy him because of the change he saw in our country. He saw us go from the start of the airplane travel to man landing on the moon. He lived through WWI, the Depression, WWII, the Korean War, the Viet Nam War, the introduction of the TV and later the computer age. He saw many changes in his short life of 69 years.

I however feel I have been fortunate to have seen a far greater accomplishment in our country. Not on the technological side but on the social side of our country.

I was born and raised in the south. I witnessed segregation and bigotry for many years. I was however fortunate to have been raised by parents that were not a part of any of this. I was able to witness Martin Luther King’s march and dream and his vision for the future. I and we are now on the threshold of a new age that is a defining moment for our great country. We have elected the first African American President. I am only 56 years old but I believe that what has happened in the last 44 years since "Bloody Sunday"

Martin Luther King's march in Selma, Alabama is one of the most important events in the history of our nation. I hope everyone realizes the importance of this event. We also had record turnouts for the election on Barack Obama which was a monumental thing. In many countries people risk their life to vote and they have voter turnouts in the 90% range or greater. This is why it is important to exercise our rights in this country and why the American Legion embraces that and encourages people to exercise their right. We have witnessed a new era and I believe a change for the better for all people in our country. I want to thank all that did vote this year and encourage everyone else to do the same in the future.

Now, on a different note. I have heard from Dan Yoder and he and the 157th Security Forces are due to return from Afghanistan somewhere around the end of February. I will try to put out to the members the exact date so that we may meet them upon their return to Pease no matter what hour of day or night. After that the Post is going to have a coming home party for them and hope that we can have a good turnout for this event. It will probably be about a week after their return so that they may reconnect with their families and get their lives restarted here. So mark

your calendar for this time period.

We do have our Children's Easter Party coming up in a few months; look for more in next month’s newsletter. Thank you,

 Richard “Brooksie” Brooks, Post Jr. Vice Commander

POST 6 COLOR GUARD MESSAGE

 Our next Fish Fry will be Friday, February 6, 2009.  Thank You for your loyalty and please continue to support us. 

 Your 2 Time National Post 6 Color Guard

SURF & TURF SCHEDULE

February 7th – Post

February 14th – S.A.L.

February 21st – Unit

February 28th – Color Guard

 SQUADRON COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

 Hi – I hope everyone is doing okay with the snow and cold.  Good Luck!  At our next meeting on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 we will be having first nominations for officers.  Please come to the meeting and throw you hat in if you would like to help out.  We could sure use the help.  We still have a few people that need to renew their membership for20009.  Please come in and renew your membership, if you have not already done so.  And good luck with the winder weather.  Thanks. 

 Michael Hunt,  S.A.L. Commander

 SQUADRON ADJUTANT’S MESSAGE

 Hope everyone had a good holiday for now it is back to S.A.L. business.  New month is first nominations for offices.  We need your help to fill these spots with good hard working people.  You really do not have to work hard but you do have to put in some of your valuable personal time.  Please be at our next meeting, Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 6 p.m. or send/leave me a letter of intent before the meeting. Let us keep Squadron 6 working as a good organization supporting the Post and the community.  Dues are still only $20.00.  If you have not paid, please pay your dues now.

 Bob Prendergast, S.A.L. Adjutant

AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP

 Ladies – We met the 75% goal!  THANK YOU!  We only need 55 for 100%.  Continue to stay informed and pay your dues today.  Also, if you have a change of address, please be sure to notify me.   If you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to call me at (603) 988-8267.

 2009 Scholarship applications are now available.  Contact me and I will send the application out.

 Karyl Horn, Unit Secretary/Treasurer 

GRILLE STEWARD’S MESSAGE

 Hello and Happy New Year to all, if you came to our New Year’s Eve party I know you had a good time! The band was Greyzone and they were great! This month is going to be just as exciting as the last with Jen Thayer returning on the 28th as well as the Blackbrook Band, karaoke is still a hit with the members and will continue every second Friday of the month so come on in sing along or just watch the entertainers. The post will be having a St. Valentine’s Day Dinner for the ladies and they always serve a lovely dinner so why not make a night of it and plan on staying for the band. We had The Delrays play here just recently and all I can say is WOW!!!   They played a variety of old and new and the vocalist not only could sing she also played many instruments including the saxophone.  They will be playing again on April 25, 2009 so mark your calendars.  You don't want to miss them. The grille will be cooking a St. Patrick’s Day Boiled Dinner on the 17th of March. The cost will be $5 per person and will be served from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. With karaoke from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. So come on down, eat, drink and be merry!!! Stay safe and warm till next month.

 Sue Desper, Grille Steward

 BAND SCHEDULE

 February 7th – Groove Cats

February 13th – Karaoke w/DJ Darlene

February 14th – Downtown Rhythm

February 21st – Blackbrook Band

February 28th – Jen Thayer

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

 Membership is still coming in at a good pace. Please keep in mind during these tough economic times that the $15.00 you pay for your membership also helps you save money on Travel Accident Insurance, Prescription Discounts, Long Distance Phone Service, Car Rental, Moving Van Discounts, Auxiliary Supplemental Insurance Plans and most important Emergency Assistance Grants.

When you are cutting your budget please try to keep the American Legion Auxiliary in your budget.

The Mid-Winter Conference will be at the Rochester Post on Saturday, January 31, 2009. Our National President, Desi Stoy will be in attendance. Come to meet her as well as to learn more about the Organization. All members are welcome.

The Senior Oratorical Contest will be held at St. Anselm's College on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.  If you can, please plan on attending. It is a great time and very interesting to see these young adults compete on the Articles of the Constitution of the United States.

The motion on the cookbook at the February meeting was tabled until the Thursday, February 12, 2009 meeting. Whether the cookbook becomes a reality or not, will be determined at the February meeting.

The next District #3 meeting will be at the Seabrook Post on Friday, February 13, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.  All are welcome. There is a lot of information given out at these meetings.

The next 8/40 meeting of Salon 264 will be held at the home of Barbara Moore in Newmarket, on Monday, March 2, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.  There will be a Penny Sale at this meeting.

At the Thursday, March 12, 2009 Unit #6 meeting the Auxiliary will be holding the only nominations of Officers for the coming year. Please attend to voice your nomination or to be nominated. If you are interested in becoming an Officer and can not attend please have a letter of intent in prior to the meeting in March so that your nomination can be entered into the record.

Elections will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2009 with the Auxiliary meeting to follow the close of elections.

We are not always notified of the deaths of members. If you know of any Auxiliary, Legionnaire or Sons of the American Legion members who have died since May of 2008, please contact us with that members name and the date of death. The District #3 Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 8, 2009. We need your help in ensuring that all deceased members’ names are read at this special event. Doors close at 7:00 p.m. so please arrive early. 

Sheila Brooks, Unit President & District #3 Director