American Legion Post 13, Valdosta Ga. February 2009 News Letters

American Legion Post 13 News Letters

The American Legion

Post 13 – Valdosta
1301 Williams Street P. O. Box 1005
Valdosta, Georgia 31603
(229) 242-7616

“For God and

Country…”

NON-PROFIT

ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE PAID

VALDOSTA GA

Post 13 Bulletin

February 2009

Post Executive Committee
Commander: Ed Kent Senior Vice Commander: Whit Chappell Junior Vice Commander: Jimmy Land Finance Officer: Richard “Rap” Brown Service Officer: Jim Bolduc		Adjutant: Ernie Florig Chaplain: Howard Hansford Sergeant-at-Arms: Jimmy Traynor Judge Advocate: Dan McSwords Historian: April Welter
Appointed Members: Charlie Pollard, Walter Wacter, and Bob Carpenter Immediate Past Commander: Phil Youngblood
Email: legionpost13@gmail.com		Website: www.galegionpost13.org
Defense	Veterans	Youth	Patriotism

Fellow Legionnaires,

As January ends and February begins, another historic event has taken place at the Post Home. The National Commander, Dave Rehbein, visited us and gave us an update on activities going on in the American Legion, as well as his own priorities. This was historic in that we were honored with the National Commander’s visit on the 90^th Anniversary of the American Legion! We had several dignitaries here such as Brig. Gen. Michael Longoria from Moody AFB, Mr. Willie Head, Mayor Pro-Tem, Fae Casper, the Department of Georgia Commander and others. General Longoria spoke about the Wing and their deployments and that right now, their high priority was taking care of the family of a fallen airman, SSgt. Kenneth Jason Wilburn, who died during a training exercise. We extend our condolences to his family and offer our support. There were well over 150 guests attending the 29 January dinner. Mark Mink of Port-a-Pit provided the great meals, although some didn’t eat their cheese grits; you can only lead the horse to water... I still missed Miss Betty’s hand-cooked meals though! For everyone’s information, the meal at the 10 February, 7 pm, meeting will be a light one, so don’t miss it. The 10 March meeting will be the celebration of the American Legion Birthday with cake and the fixin’s. Don’t forget that Valentine Day is on 14 February! As usual, our Post Executive Board will meet on 16 February, 5 pm, unless there’s a change. Please call the Post for any change to the meeting. All members are welcome. As always, from the Post Executive Committee and I, thank you again for your continued support.

Thanks again, --"For God and Country," Ed Kent

The Post 13 monthly membership meeting and dinner is scheduled for 10 February, 7 pm, at the Post home. Please invite a war era veteran as a prospective new member.
The Post 13 American Legion Riders will meet on 19 February, 6:30 pm, at the post home. For information, contact Post ALR Director "Poppa Joe" Black at 244-5728. For upcoming events, visit the website: www.alrgapost13.org.
• A Final Salute Chaplain Howard Hansford will be conducting a Post 13 graveside memorial service for Legionnaire John T. Courson, a WW II veteran, who passed away on 14 November 08. The service will be held on 14 February, 9 am, at Friendship Cemetery, off Highway 41 and Union Road. Please join us with the Courson Family as we pay our respects to one of our own.
• National High School Oratorical Contest Post Chairman Charlie Pollard will spearhead the contest on 21 February, 10 am, at the Post home. Please come out and support our high school students.
• Steak Cookout Our popular Post social is back on the calendar for 20 March, 6 pm. The cost is $10 per person and reservations will be taken by Jimmy Traynor or Richard Brown during the period 10 February - 13 March. No walk-ins will be allowed on 20 March.
Post 13 warmly welcomes the following new members:
Richard Kuter	J.R. Winningham, Sr.	Wayne Gleaton
Victor Pena		CMSgt Darryl Gagne
Post Everlasting – We sharply render a final salute and mourn the passing of our comrade; and extend our condolences to their loved ones, relatives, and friends:
John Courson - WW II	Ira Register - WW II	Sam Day - Vietnam

• Paid-Up-For-Life (PUFL) Membership Dues Payment Plan The American Legion has a payment plan for members to make a one-time payment of dues for future years. For example, if you are age 65, your PUFL dues will be $352. You may pay this in one lump sum or make a 10% deposit and make 11 equal monthly payments. For more information on this convenient payment plan, go to the website www.legion.org/national/join/pufl, or contact Adjutant Ernie Florig.
• Veterans Charities In December 2007, Daniel Borochoff, President of the American Institute of Philanthropy, a charity watchdog, gave testimony on veteran charities to the House Oversight Committee. Regrettably, there were veteran charities who received overall D and F grades. We encourage you and your friends to review the report on the website charitywatch.org and to see how your favorite veteran charities were graded. For more information, please contact Legionnaire Harold George at 559-8116.
• The Echols County Veterans Organization met on 30 January 09 to identify all veterans in the county and to determine the goals and objectives of the organization. Any veteran interested in participating and/or assisting in this endeavor, please contact Lloyd Corbett at 229-559-0223.
• Post 13 New Member Application Form Visit the website www.galegionpost13.org/signup.htm Click on the second "Here" to retrieve and print the application form.
Post Lounge operating hours are 4-8pm, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Please contact Jimmy Traynor, 242-7616, for reserving official meeting times, lounge information, or to rent the hall.