may 2020 newsletter€¦ · served at most funeral luncheons for veterans when held at the post,...

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1188May2020

Charles A. Conklin Post #28 Newsletter published monthly by Charles A. Conklin Post #28 of the American Legion

P. O. Box 439 ~ 700 S. Harbor Avenue ~ Grand Haven, MI 49417-1743 ~ www.grandhavenlegion.org

LegionJanetE.Fonger,Post28Commander

jeflegion28@gmail.comGaryDoublestein,1stViceCommanderRickWhite,2ndViceCommanderLarryLambert,AdjutantCyndyWierenga,FinanceOfficerDuaneSmith,ChaplainTBD,JudgeAdvocateFreddySmith,Sergeant-at-ArmsDennisSiron,HistorianGarrettVeihl,ServiceOfficerLarryLambert,ServiceOfficerHoytFonger,ServiceOfficerRayRibbink,Executive-at-LargeFreddySmith,Executive-at-LargeJimVette,Executive-at-LargeJohnBilski,PastCommander

AUXILIARY

DarleneDeHaan,Presidentmarcdarlene@gmail.com

MelanieRiekels,1stVicePres.DianeJanusch-Johnson2ndVicePres.GinnyHebert,SecretaryMicheleStetts,TreasurerLindaGieske,HistorianPamMedendorp-Peck,ChaplainBarbKelly,Sergeant-at-ArmsKathleenEdwards,Membership

Sal

RossBerens,Commandersalcmdrpost28@yahoo.com

HansVanHorssen,1stViceCommanderCharlieChittenden,2ndViceCommanderT.L.Lowe,FinanceOfficerAlVanDam,ChaplainCharlieChittenden,HistorianSteveVanderWall,Sergeant-at-ArmsScottKelly,MembershipPaulKubicek,AdjutantJeffWarner,PastCommander

Legion riders GeraldKeen,Director

gerald.keen88@gmail.comCharlesPotter,AssistantDirectorChaseKamhout,Sergeant-at-ArmsDianaArens,SecretaryLarryFoose,TreasurerTBD,ChaplainSallyKemme,MembershipChair

post Manager

LoriPulciani(616)842-5310

Hours: Mon.–Fri.1pm–10pm Saturday12pm–10pm Sunday1pm–7pm

COMMANDER’SCOMMENTS

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OperationKPisalmosttothefinishline!Checkoutthenumberstodate….TotalFundraisingDonations:$225,957.65Totalprojectcost(todate)$227,972.15Shortfall:$-2,014.50

Chairplaquesarenowavailablefor8lowdeckchairsonly(upstairsdeckarea).PleasenotethatallplaqueengravingisonholduntilnewguidancefromGovernorWhitmerregardingCOVID-19andMichiganbusinessoperations.Welookforwardtoourdeckopeningsoonandseeingyourlovedonehonoredandrecognizedwithachairplaque.Theplaquesfortheoutsidedeckchairswillbeabitdifferentastheywillbemadetowithstandtheweather.WordscannotexpresshowgratefulIamtoourdonorsforsupportingthekitchenproject.YoumightthinkthatduringtheMichigan“StayHome,StaySafe”ExecutiveOrderissuedbyGovernorWhitmer,allwouldbequietonthePost28front.Notso!WiththeCOVID-19crisisathandandupcomingelectionofOfficersforMichiganPosts,theAmericanLegionDepartmentofMichiganpassedEmergencyBy-LawsguidingMichiganAmericanLegionPostswiththeirelectionsofPostOfficers.TheDepartmentEmergencyBy-LawsgivePostExecutiveCommitteestwo(2)optionsforconductingPostelections.Thefirstoption,andoption"stronglyurged"bytheDepartmentand NationalwastopassaresolutionmaintainingthestatusquoandkeepcurrentPostOfficersinplaceforanotherterm.BoththeDepartmentandNationalhavedoneso,givenCOVID-19uncertainties.Thesecond,andpossiblyamorecomplicatedoptionregardingfairnessandtransparency,wastoholdelectionsforPostOfficersinoneoracombinationofthreeways:1)conferencecallorvideoteleconferencewithallmembers(Legionnaires)ingoodstandingtoobtainnominationsforOfficersandvoteforOfficers,2)conducttheelectionbyemailwhereallmembers(Legionnaires)ingoodstandingnominatecandidatesthroughemail,thenvoteforcandidatesbyemailor3)conductamail-inballotelection,wheremembers(Legionnaires)ingoodstandingaremailedaballottonominatecandidates,thenmailtheirnominationballotbacktoPost.Then,membersingoodstandingaremailedanotherballotofcandidatestomailbackwiththemember'svotefornominees(candidates).PleasenotethatthePostCommanderdoesnothaveavoteonitemsbeforetheExecutiveCommitteeexceptincasesofatievote.ThemajorityofthePost28ExecutiveCommitteevoteddowntheDepartment’sandNational’srecommendationstokeepthestatusquoandinsteadexpressedthedesiretoconductamail-inballotelectiontokeepwithtraditionofourOfficersgoingthroughthe“chairs”.Post28Adjutant,LarryLambertexplainedthattheDepartment'sEmergencyBy-LawssupersedeourPost’sby-lawsandthereforeavotebythemembershiptoapprovethecostofamail-inelectionisnotrequired. Continuedonp.3

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1188May2020

Ihopethatyouandyourfamilymembersarewellandremainingoodhealthaswedealwiththisunprecedentedtime.IwanttosharethecurrentsituationregardingtheSonsoftheAmericanLegionhereatPost28.Eventscurrentlyaffected:

• BingoatGrandRapidsHomeforVeterans–May7(Cancelled),willberescheduledatalaterdate.

• SALAnnualGolfOuting–May23(Cancelled),hopetorescheduleSummerorFall

• StateSALConventioninSouthgate–June5-7(Cancelled)

• CornHoleTournament–Hopetoreschedule

Asyoumayhavealreadyheard,undertheurgingoftheAmericanLegionDepartmentofMichigan,the2020conventionsandelectionshavebeencancelledandwearetomaintainthestatusquooftheexistingofficersuntilnextyear’selections(2021–2022).PleasecontinuetomonitortheGrandHavenAmericanLegionwebsitetoseewhenthePostwillreopen.OneofthefirstagendaitemsfortheSALwillbetoopenthedeck.IlookforwardtothedaywecangetbacktonormalcyatthePosttocelebratethekitchenrenovationandseeingyouallagain.StaySafe/StayHealthy ServingVeteransandtheCommunity RossBerens,SALCommander

SAL AUXILIARY

TheA.L.R.willhaveavirtualmeetingonMay7th@7:00p.m.onZoom.Tojointhemeetingusethefollowing:

URL:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81542509195 Post28LegionRidersDirectorGeraldKeen.

LEGION RIDERS

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"Normal"ismostcertainlyVERYdifferentforeachofour1600+Auxiliarymembersandtheirfamilies,andI’msureeachofuscouldwriteasmallbookatthispointaboutsomeveryuniqueexperiencesduringthequarantine!IamhopingthatMaybringssomesemblanceofthepreviousnormalbacktoallofus,butmeanwhilestayhealthy,andpleasekeepprayingforeveryoneaffectednegativelyinanyway,aswellasthoseonthefrontlines!KEYDATES:• May4-8:TeacherAppreciationWeek–2020Themeis

'TeachersareOutofThisWorld!'• Wearedonating$1,000eachtoSpringLakeSchoolsFood

BankandGrandHavenWeekendBackPackFoodPrograminhonorofourteachers,sincetheycaredeeplyabouttheirstudentswhodonothaveenoughfoodathomeduringthisverychallengingtime!Inaddition…o OurEducationChairwoman,MelanieRiekels,wouldlike

tochallengeourmemberstosendanemail,FBvideo,Instagrammessage,etc.tothankatleastonespecialteacherwhoiscontinuingtoeducateremotely!

o Pleasesharewhatyoudid(emailMelanieRiekels(mrriekelsinsagent@gmail.com)orme(marcdarlene@gmail.com)/messagemeonFacebook)sothatIcanpostonourAuxiliaryFBpagetoshareyourexpressionsofappreciation!

• May22:NationalPoppyDay–PleasechecktheAuxiliaryFBpageforspecificplans.

• May25:MemorialDay–TBD…Manyactivitieswillbedonevirtually,sopleasewatchthePost28websiteandourFBpagefordetails).

• May26:Junior(5:45-6:45pm)andSeniorAuxiliaryMeetings(7pm)–PleasecheckourFBpageclosertothedatetogetthestatusofthesemeetings!

ThismonthIwouldliketohighlightsomeonefromAuxiliarywhodoesnotneedanintroductionforanyonewhohasspentatimeatthePost!MicheleStettsissomeonewhohasandcontinuestofaithfullyserveinmanycapacitiesforAuxiliary(andforthePost)!MichelehasbeenourPastPresident(2013/14–2015/16),MembershipChair(2005–2013),andcurrentlyservesasourTreasurerandChairwomanoftheCommunityServiceProgram.ShehasservedatmostfuneralluncheonsforVeteranswhenheldatthePost,Auxiliarycateredevents,aswellasshevolunteersforeveryMeatloafdinner.ShecreatesthemonthlyPostNewsletterandservedformanyyearsontheBuildingandGroundsCommittee.OverthepastyearshehasresearchedinformationoneveryoneofourUnit28PastPresidents,andcreatedbookswiththephotosandinformation,whichwillbetreasuredformanyyearstocome.I’mguessingherdetailedandthoroughapproachtoeveryjobshedoesisaresultofher35-yearcareerasamathteacher!Itisreallydifficulttogetaphotoofhersinceshedoesn’tliketohaveherphototaken,soifanyonecangetonegoingforward,youhavesucceededwheremanyhavefailed!Sincewecouldnotmeetinperson,IaskedMicheletowriteaboutwho/whatinspiredhertojointheAuxiliary,aswellastobesoinvolved.Fromthehistoryshehaswritten,itisclearthatherparentsleftahugelegacywiththePostandwithher.Readherstory…onpage5.

DarleneDeHaan,President&PRChair

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PoppyPosterWinners

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AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1188May2020

Around The Bar

OPERATIONKP

Commander’sCommentscont’d.

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SueThompsonEdithTomandlJohnRosemaJohn&MichelleStrainerMaryLandgrenRonald&DeniseNuismerLeon&KathleenMazurekLester&CathieVanallsburgJo&YvonneKramerMerle&LindaHansonRandall&MichelleBurnettFrederick&PatriciaAltDavidKaucheckGerald&SondraVanderWallBernardWadeWilliam&DeborahPolanicThomas&ElizabethDeaterNancyEmmerichPhilipGalbaviGeorgiaGillespieEdwardRoberts&NancyBauerThomas&AnnWassmannJamesLeetTrustJoseph&LyndaBozinCecil&MaryMcDonaldSharonYonker

TheOperationKPFundraisingCommitteethanksthefollowingdonors,aswellasseveralanonymousdonors,fortheirsupportofthePost’sKitchenRenovationProject.

Asyouallknow,duetotheCoronavirusweshutthedoorsonMarch16th,2020.Nowit'sMayandwe'restillunsureastowhenwewillreopen.Butduringthistime,andinanticipationofreopening,thePosthasbeencleanedandsanitizedfromtoptobottom.WearereadyforyouwhenthePostreopens.Howabout"WelcomeBack"drinkspecialswhenweopenthedoors?Staytunedformoreinformation.Thebarstaff,Richie,Kyle,CJ,Kaleena,Chelsea,Maryandmyselfmissyouallandlookforwardtoseeingyousoon. Lori,PostManager

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BruceBylJeffBeukemaGloriaDraegerWillaimHenryVaneeNoreenSayranianRaymond&RuthPeulerRobert&JudyFlemingJames&MarilynRushNelsonEisengaMaryBorchersMark&AbigailMontsingerGerald&KathleenFisherConnieCarlsonScottDrolemaFrederickVaas,Jr.Gregory&CathtyMeyersKennethEnnengaRobert&MarilynnDougallBurtonWoltersMaryKayAlquirePhilipYoungJanYurkowski&MicheleYasenakSteelFormingSystems,Inc.Roger&LindaEnnengaHowardMillerCarolHarden

Electionof2020-2021Post28LegionOfficers

Duetothepandemicsituation,thePost28Officerselectionfor20-21willbebymail.AllPost28Legionnaires(veterans)ingoodstandingwillreceivethreemailings–1)acallfornominations,2)aproposedballottochallengethenominees’credentials,and3)theOfficersBallotforelection,whichisduebackbyJune2.Pleasecheckyourmailinthecomingweeks.

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Commander’sCommentscontinued…PleasereadtheinformationsenttoMichiganAmericanLegionPostCommandersandAdjutantsbytheAmericanLegionDepartmentofMichigan:michiganlegion.org/assets/misc/2020misc/lettertopostapril132020-finalpackage.pdfPleasevisitthePost28FacebookpageandourPost28websiteamericanlegiongh.orgforregularupdatesandimportantinformation.Stayhealthyandlookingforwardtoournewnormalandawarmandvirusfreesummer. CommanderJanet

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Ifyouknowofanyonewhoshouldbeaddedtothislist,orwouldbenefitfromacallfrommeastheirChaplain,pleaseletmeknow@dstirlingsmith70@gmail.com,or616.502.1555.InHisandYourService,Duane"Smitty"Smith,ChaplainGeorgeBryant,WalterPedersen,Jim“Jimbo”Land,GeorgeBennett,CharlesDavis,KenKelly,CarlKuzyk,MikeEy,DarrelMyers,JimVetteandallofourLegionfamilywhoaremourningthepassingoflovedones.

SICK CALL

KitchenphotosbyChrisPetras

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1188May2020

Honor guard It’sPoppyTime!HelpSupportOurVeterans

NationalPoppyDayisMay22,2020.Now,morethanever,ourveteransneedyoursupport.PleaseconsidermakingadonationtotheAuxiliary’sPoppyFund.Onehundredpercentofyourdonationssupportveterans,activedutypersonnel,andtheirfamilies.MAILinadonationto:ALAUnit28ATTN:PoppyFund700S.HarborDr.GrandHaven,MI49417(CheckspayabletoALAUnit28)OR….PAYONLINE,anytime,withacredit/debitcard:Gotowww.americanlegiongh.org,clickontheINFOmenu,selectDONATE,thenchoosePOPPYPROGRAM. Thankyouforyoursupport.

Inanormalyear,theHonorGuardfromAmericanLegionPost28inGrandHavenparticipatesinanaverageofonefunerala

week.TheHonorGuardgatherstohonorservicemenandwomenbyprovidingMilitaryHonorsforthedeceased.In2018-2019theHonorGuardparticipatedin60servicesandin2019-2020,63riteswereconducted.Totalman-hoursfor2018-2019were3,262.For2019-2020,3,247.05hourswerespent.Anyhonorablydischargedveteranisworthyofmilitaryhonorsbasedonhis/herservice.Onedoesn’tneedtobeamemberoftheAmericanLegion.Ourpost(thelargestintheStateofMichigan)hasmorethan25memberswhocanbecalledupononamoment’snotice.Ifavailable,activedutymilitarymembersparticipatebyfoldingandpresentingournation’scolors,sometimesdrivingasfarasfivehourstoshareinhonoringthedeceased,andattimesparticipatesinthreetofourservicesaday.TheHonorGuardismadeupofaCommanderfortheDay,ColorGuardandaFiringTeam.Ourownmembersoractivedutyservicemenandwomenwillunfoldtheflag,ourfiringteamwillfirethreevolleysfollowedbytaps,afterwhichthecolorsarepresentedtothefamilyofthedeceased.AfteranindividualsalutefromtheHonorGuard,themembersretreat,thefiringteamleaderpresentstheriflecartridgesfromtheday’sfiring,andtheGuardoffersonefinalsaluteasthefamilyleavesthefacility.Wearefortunatetohavea“live”BuglerasanactivememberofHonorGuard.ThePostChaplainmaybecalledupontoconductthememorialserviceoragravesideceremony.TheHonorGuardalsoprovidesafinaltoastwithparticipationofthefamilyatthePost,atwhichtimeournationalflagandtheappropriatebranchofserviceflagareraisedafterbeingathalfstafffortwenty-fourhours.Inadditiontohonoringourfallen,theHonorGuardparticipates,alongwiththeVFWandothercommunityserviceorganizations,intheplanningandorganizingoftheannualcommunityMemorialDayparadeandMemorialService.TheHonorGuardcoordinatesplacingaflagoneveryveteran’sgraveintheTri-Citiesarea,duringthedayspriortotheMemorialDayevents.Expendingnumeroushours,withthehelpoflocalBoyandGirlScouttroops,inplacingtheflags.Atthememorialdayevents,additionalhonorsareprovidedattheGARmonumentinLakeForestCemetery,CentralParkMonuments,andtheVeteransMemorialattheYDriveandHarborDrive.Overtheyears,ithasbecomeatraditionofPost28HonorGuardtoprovideFlagEtiquetteprogramsformostlocalschools.Inaddition,theHonorGuardpresentstheColorsatlocalHighSchoolSportingEvents.DuaneS.Smith,Chaplain&HonorGuardCommander

NEW!

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AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1188May2020

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SpotlightontheAuxiliarySometimes,goodthingscanhappenduringtryingtimes.Itooktheopportunitythisdowntimeaffordedmetofinallybeginresearchingmyfamily’shistory,somethingI’vebeenmeaningtodoforyears.Well,nowI’mobsessedwithit!Ibeganlookingforancestorswhomayhaveservedinthemilitary,ofwhichIfoundtherearemanyonbothsides,andmy“tree”hasgrowntoalmost1,000members!Mygrandmother,GertrudeRescorla,hadsixsons,allofwhomserved.ShejoinedtheAuxiliaryonJune12,1946,shortlyafterheroldestsonwasdischarged.I’llbeginwithherthirdsonandmyfather,Donald“Chops”Rescorla,whoservedintheNavyaboardtheUSSNewJerseyduringWWII.DadwasaPastCommanderofPost28andwasinstrumentalinstartinguptheWednesdaynightdinners(ChopsMeatloafismyfavorite!).Formanyyears,healsocoordinatedtheChickenDinnersduringCoastGuardFestival.Hewasaproudmanandatruepatriot.But,IwouldberemissifIdidnot,atthispoint,includemymother,RuthRescorla,inmyramblings.Momoftenworkedside-by-sidewithDadinmanyPostactivities,andshewasalsoanactiveAuxiliarymember,havingservedasPresidentfortwoyearsandvolunteerDinnerCoordinatorformanyyears.DuringWWII,William“Bill”RescorlaenlistedintheArmy(May1,1944-May24,1946).UncleBillenlistedagainfortheKoreanConflictonApril2,1951andwasdischargedonJuly21,1952.RobertRescorlajoinedtheNavyduringWWII,servingaboardtheUSSAltahama.CharlesRescorlaenlistedintheNavyonSeptember20,1943andwasdischargedonAugust16,1946.RussellRescorlaattendedtheUniversityofMichiganwhereheplayedinthe1951RoseBowl.Aftercollege,heservedtwoyearsintheArmy,primarilystationedatOkinawa.GeraldRescorla(Russ’twin)servedintheNavyaboardtheUSSPiper.Mygreatuncle,GeorgeRescorla,wasaPrivatewiththeGloucestershireRegimentoftheBritishArmy.Thepoem

FlandersFieldsbecameevenmoremeaningfulwhenIlearnedthroughmyancestryresearchthatGeorgewaskilledinactiononMay8,1917duringtheSecondBattleinYpresinFlandersintheWesternEuropeanTheatre(WWI).His

nameisengravedontheArrasMemorialinFrance,whereheisburied.Hewas36yearsoldandleftbehindhiswifeoflessthantwoyears.Manyofyoumayknowmyfirstcousinonceremoved,RayRibbink.RayenlistedintheArmy,andisaPastCommanderofPost28andstillveryactiveinPostcommitteesandactivities.Mynephew,BenGlockzin,servedfouryears(inthemedicalfield)intheArmy,andcompletedonetourofIraq.HeiscurrentlyemployedasanRNattheVAHospitalinDenver,CO.Hismother(mysister),BeckyGlockzin,isanactiveAuxiliarymemberandhisfather,TomGlockzin,wasanactiveSALmember.Mymom’sbrother,Donald“Mac”Wilson,wasaparatrooperduringWWII,havingenlistedinthe

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Armyin1946anddischargedin1948.UncleMacwasanactivePost28memberandBoyScoutleader.Mybrother-in-law,MikeChaco,retiredaftertwenty-twoyearsintheAirForce.Mikeandhisfamilyhavebeenstationedaroundtheworld,includingKorea,GermanyandseveralAirForcebasesintheU.S.HeiscurrentlyworkingwiththeVAandtheStateofArizona,helpingveteranssecurehousingandjobs.Anotherbrother-in-law,RickBehm,servedintheArmyduringVietnam.RickisaLegionnaireandmarriedtomysister,Deb,whoisanAuxiliarymemberandaformerPost28waitress/bartender.Rickisretiredandlivinghisdreamlifeofhuntin’andfishin’“upnorth”nearTraverseCity.Myfather-in-law,MichaelStetts,wasaNavyman,servingaboardtheUSSColumbusduringWWII.Mikewasaquietmanandnevertalkedabouthisservice.Infact,Ineverknewhewasaveteranuntilhisfuneral,whenmilitaryriteswereperformed.Thesearejustafewofmyrelativeswhoservedinthemilitary.IchoosetohonorthembybeinganactivememberoftheAuxiliary. MicheleStetts[Sidenote:IalsohadseveralancestorswhofoughtfortheUnionduringtheCivilWar.Oneinparticular,mygreatgreatgrandfather,AsaWilson,enlistedintheArmyimmediatelyaftertheCivilWarbrokeoutinApril1861,andservedforalmostthreeyears.HewasplacedinCo.Eofthe20thIllinoisVolunteerInfantry.Hewasinvolvedinseveralwell-knownbattles,andhisnameisengravedonaplaqueinsidetheIllinoisMonumentattheVicksburgbattlefield.Aninterestingstory(thatIhavenotverifiedyet),passeddownbyagreatauntMary,wasthatAsawasoneofthesentrieswhostoodguardoverPresidentLincoln’sbodyasitlayinstateinSpringfield,Illinois.]

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PoppyPosterWinners

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1188May2020

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

11951

MickeyMantlehitshisfirsthomerun.1952

Mr.PotatoHeadisintroduced.

21939

LouGehrigplaysin2,130games,arecordthatlastsfor57years(untilCalRipken).

3

4

51961

AlanShepardbecomesthefirstAmericaninspaceaboardFreedom7.

61833

JohnDeereproducesthefirststeelplow.

77pm

ALRmeetingonZoom

81794

TheU.S.PostOfficeis

established.

9

10

11

121792

Theflushtoiletispatented.

131983

ReggieJackson,Mr.October,isthefirstmajorleaguebaseballplayertostrikeout2,000times.

14

MayMeetingofthe5thDistrict@

Post28isCancelled

151940

Nylonstockingshitthemarketforthefirsttime.

1862

PresidentLincoln

establishedtheUSDA.

16

171875Thefirst

KentuckyDerbyisheldat

ChurchillDowns.

18

197pm

ExecutiveCommittee

20

211881

TheAmericanRedCrossisformed.

221967

ThedebutofMr.Roger’s

Neighborhood.

23

241830

MaryHaleofBostonwrites

MaryHadALittleLamb.

25

26

271919

Thepop-uptoasterispatented.

28

291953

SirEdmundHillaryisthe

firsttoreachthesummitofMt.Everest.

301889

Thebrassiereisinvented.

ATTENTION!POSTCLOSEDUNTILFURTHERNOTICE

PleasecheckthePost’swebsitewww.americanlegiongh.org&FacebookpageforupdatesonPostmeetings&activities.

NURSESWEEK&TEACHERAPPRECIATIONWEEK

NATIONALPOLICEWEEK

EMERGENCYMEDICALSERVICESWEEK

May5

SallyRideDay

May22

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