The American Legion. Barrett-Davis-Watson Post 233. April 2014 Newsletter 4635 Highway 78

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1 The American Legion Barrett-Davis-Watson Post 233 April 2014 Newsletter 4635 Highway 78 Loganville, GA Post Commander s Report James Carmona First, I want to thank all who continue to work to keep our Post the best in the State. Without the efforts of our members, we would just be another nondescript Veteran s organization. However, because of the dedication and hard work of our members, we continue to make those improvements needed to ensure our success in the future. Many have asked me what the status of our renovation is and other changes that they would like to see at the Post. As our finance officer, John Bushwack, has been reporting at our monthly meetings, we are gradually improving our financial situation. However, we are a long way from the $275, needed to make the needed improvements to our Post. Regardless, we have taken the following actions to enhance our contribution to our community while working to increase our monthly revenue: Bingo: We recently changed our Bingo equipment in an effort to increase attendance and therefore, our revenue. These changes appear to be making a difference as Bingo attendance and revenue have been gradually increasing. Saturday night dances: We are rotating bands to increase attendance. So far, we have realized an increase in our dance attendance and dance revenue. : Every other Friday, our Legion Riders host a Friday night event with music, door prizes, great food, and even better margaritas. Veterans Information Workshop: Our Post will be hosting an event on Saturday, May 17, that will have representatives from the Veterans Affairs Office, healthcare professionals, Home Depot representatives, and several others. All of these representatives will be on hand to provide first hand information to veterans and others in our community on ways that they can receive needed assistance and earned benefits. This event is free and we will be providing refreshments to all who attend. Entertainment: On October 4, 2014, Ricky Lee, a wonderful country western entertainer, will present a concert at our Post to assist us with our fundraising efforts. Other events: Ride for America on May 26; July 4 BBQ; Loganville July 4 th parade; and many other events throughout the year. Post 233 Officers Commander: James Carmona Sr. Vice Commander: Lamar Marcie Hood Jr. Vice Commander: Stan Mauldin Finance: John Bushwack Adjutant: Fritz Siler Exec. Committee Members: Lawson Sewell Ron Nelsen Vince Pepe Service Officer: Ralph Mullens Chaplain: Robert Simler Sgt at Arms: Jack Wade Although we are planning many events to help us increase our revenue, we still have had to make some difficult choices that affect all of our members. At our March 2014 monthly meeting, a motion was made and passed to increase our Post annual membership dues to $25.00 effective with the 2015 membership year that begins on July 1, At this same meeting, a motion was made and passed to require that all members be required to pay their annual dues. Except for those members who are paid up for life members, all other members will be required to pay annual dues effective July 1, I will be sending a special letter to all of our World War II and Korean War veterans advising them of this change to our dues requirement. Although it may seem that we often talk about the need for money, it is a necessity. You need only to stop and look at the activities of our Post: without our physical plant, we could not have an active Auxiliary, a large cub and boy scout program, oratorical program, Boys and Girls State programs, JROTC programs, Sea Cadets, 40/8, Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Riders, provide housing and other assistance to homeless veterans and others in the community, Secret Santa program, blood drives, CHAMPS and other school programs, and on and on. We are a vital part of our community and State. Our success is needed if our community is to continue to thrive and grow. Thank you for your help. May God continue to bless our Veterans and the United States of America. James Carmona, Post Commander ( jamescarmona@bellsouth.net) Check out our Website at

2 Auxiliary President s Report Sandy Wittenmyer Here is a short letter to let you know what is happening. First of all we are at 80% of our paid membership dues goal. 10th District is now in 3rd place in the State. Great job on getting your dues to Kathy Bystrom. I am looking forward to reaching our membership goal by March 15th. I know we can get it done. We have Bingo at our Post on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. If you need something to do for entertainment come and play, have fun, and maybe win some cash. Now if you want to dance, eat, and listen to music, we have T.G.I.F. Bash on Friday nights. Check with the Post as to the dates. We have dancing every Saturday night 8:30PM to 12:00AM. We have different bands playing. Our attendance at the dance has increased. I guarantee we can make room for more dancers or just sit and enjoy the music. Here are some of the events that are planned. Soldier's Connection will be packing at the Post starting at 10:00 AM. They send packages every three (3) weeks; April 7, April 28, May 19. March 29, Workshop at Unit 201 Alpharetta, GA April 1, Monthly meeting April 10, DEC meeting at 6:00 PM at Marriott on Windy Hill April 11-13, Spring Conference April 26, Spring Fling in Milledgeville at GWVH May 18, District Meeting, Conyer s Post 77 Awards given I wish for you all to attend as many of these events that you can. It always gives you a good feeling when our Unit is in attendance and supporting our Post. Thanks in advance for your participation. I am proud of every one of our members. We are the best. Sandy Wittenmyer President MEMBERSHIP UPDATE Does your membership card say 2014? If it does not, then your membership expired on December 31, Membership dues are only $25.00 per year. You can now pay with cash, check or credit card! Please contact the Post Commander today so you are not dropped from the American Legion rolls! You can call the Post at (770) during the following times to arrange to pay your dues: Sunday: Monday: Wednesday: Thursday: Saturday: 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. Party at the Post Eddy Simpson The Legion Riders have started a new form of entertainment at the Post. We are not the Saturday night dance so many of you are used to seeing. We are bringing a different feel to our members, Community, and Veterans. What s different about our nights is, weather permitting, we will be outside under the pavilion. We will host live music from many different bands. We will have theme nights, contests, and free giveaways. On Friday nights we serve dinner, the cost will always be $5.00 for a dinner platter. Our menu changes weekly so we can keep offering you something new. Homemade food made fresh for you to enjoy. So if you re looking for something new give us a try. Come out for dinner and some great music. I promise this will be the most fun you have had supporting our veterans. Check out our website for dates on upcoming nights. A list of what bands will be playing is available on the website along with special information on different events. Thank you, Eddy Simpson Legion Rider Adjutant Is something missing from this Newsletter? This Newsletter is for YOU, the members of Post 233! Send updates, articles, pictures, and events to webmaster@gapost233.com, or leave them in the Webmaster mail slot in the Commander s office, and I will include them in our next Newsletter and on the website. We need your submissions. Newsletter publishing by Joe Leeper BLOOD DRIVE Give the Gift of Life Please donate blood at our Post 233 on Thursday, May 22, Time: 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. If you cannot give, please contact a friend and ask them to donate! Post Blood Drive Coordinator: Jerry Mahaffey

3 American Legion Rider s Director s Report Mike Burwell I would like to start off by saying the Legion Riders continue to strive for the betterment of the Legion. We are Legionnaires first. We also have Auxiliary Members in our Riders group. We will continue to support the Legion functions and ask that the Membership continue to support us. is in its early stages but growing each week. I feel sure that this will pick up momentum as time goes on. We have Fat Boys Golf Cart Appreciation Day coming on April 26th. Fat Boys will write a check to Post 233 Legion Riders from the proceeds. In turn, per their wishes, we will write a check to the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. Come on out and enjoy this event. We have flyers posted at the Post and we have the raffle tickets for the Golf Cart Giveaway. You do not need to be present to win, although I am sure you would enjoy the day if you were to come out. Ride for America is just around the corner also. Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th, and it is coming up fast. We have already started working on this. Here again, we need everyone's support. Come on out and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy. As with most things worth doing, there is bound to be a little tension. We are no different. We just have to realize that we need to take control of those tensions and channel them in a positive direction. We are all in this for the same reasons; Love and compassion for our fellow Veterans, our Post, our Community, and Nation. I am proud of all the Riders and what they accomplish on a day to day basis. Thank you, Mike Burwell Director, Post 233, American Legion Riders Calling All Veterans John Bushwack Dear Fellow Veteran, Our Post is in the process of one of the most dramatic changes it has ever seen in its history. In eight short months we have made major building repairs, instituted a financial system, adopted standard operating procedures, implemented a budget, assigned committees, changed and improved dance participation, instituted Friday night get together, registered and reported all activities, and adopted plans to remodel your Post in the hopes of attracting young Veterans to insure our Post will continue into perpetuity. We have only begun. We must complete this metamorphous. We have no choice if we are to survive. Having given approximately $6 million dollars to charitable causes since 1947, YOUR Post ranks as one of the most generous and prolific in the country. What have you done? How have you participated in giving back to this great nation? To our Veterans? To our community? How many hours last month did you give your Post to help us become profitable so we can continue? Did you even attend one event? Give one hour? This is YOUR POST. Your money. Your legacy. When history is written will it include your name as an individual who continued to serve after their active duty was completed? I believe WARRIORS DON T CHANGE, JUST THEIR MISSIONS! We need Warriors who want to serve. Are you one of the Veterans we can count on as we complete these changes that are necessary? Pray about it. Call an Executive Committee Member today! We need some Warriors who will stand with us. Will you? Respectfully, John Bushwack Finance Officer, Post 233

4 April 2014 Saturday Band List Sun Mon Tue 1 Post Meeting Wed SAL Meeting 7:30pm 40/8 Meeting Thu 3 Fri 4 Spring Conference Spring Conference Riders Meeting 7pm Easter Sat 5 Mainstreet TBD In Marietta Butch & the Buckheads Stone Cold Country Fat Boy Customer Appreciation May 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 1 Fri 2 Sat 3 Southpaw SAL Meeting 7:30pm Post Meeting Mother s Day 40/8 Meeting th Dist Meeting Conyers Riders Meeting 7pm Blood Post Ride For America N2U Butch & the Buckheads Veteran s Workshop Southpaw Stone Cold Country

5 June 2014 Sun 1 Mon 2 SAL Meeting 7:30pm Tue 3 Post Meeting (Post Election) Wed /8 Meeting Thu 5 Fri Father s Day Riders Meeting 7pm Summer Conf Summer Conf Sat 7 Butch & the Buckheads Jam Band Atlanta Jam Band Atlanta Summer Conf N2U July 2014 Sun Mon Tue 1 Post Meeting Wed 2 Thu 3 Fri 4 Independence Day BBQ Sale & Parade SAL Meeting 7:30pm 40/8 Meeting Riders Meeting 7pm TBD Sat 5 Butch & the Buckheads Country River TBD

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9 POST 233 OFFICE HOURS Sunday 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Monday 6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Wednesday 6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Thursday 6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 p.m. 11:30 p.m. (Other times as arranged) Telephone: (770) Post Commanders POST MEETINGS Date: First Tuesday of each month Dinner: Potluck dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. Meeting: Post meeting begins at 8:00 p.m. (after the dinner) See the enclosed calendar Dance to LIVE Music Every Saturday Night 8:30p.m. - Midnight American Legion Loganville, GA Hwy 78 across from McDonalds Open to the Public SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE Cost: $8.00 per person; $15.00 per couple Bar is open and Door Prizes Open to the Public Parties (i.e. birthday, anniversary, etc.) can be arranged at no additional cost See enclosed Calendar for Band list