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

October 2009

Fellow Legionnaires,

  Those of you who missed the last meeting missed a fantastic spaghetti dinner with all of the fixin’s. Miss Betty and The kitchen crew did it again. Thank you for a super meal. We were suppose to vote on the constitution and by-laws for the legion riders. However, the materials were not available for the members to review prior to the vote. I postponed the vote to our next meeting on October 13, 2009. I urge you to attend and show your support and confidence in the legion riders’ program. They have been busy at work helping other posts in their rider’s endeavors.
They also have poker runs to benefit children and communities. Let’s show them our support by attending and giving them the vote on their constitution and by-laws. We made two presentations at the meeting. One to the Hopes and Dreams Riding Facility for $100.00, and one to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes for $100.00. Both of these organizations are affecting our veterans and our future leaders. Hopes and dreams, managed and owned by Michael Randall, is hosting several soldiers from Fort Campbell, Kentucky to help them cope with their combat stress. I feel that we should do much more for our local organizations like this. If anyone wants to contribute on their own, please contact Billy Wiggins or Ernie Florig for numbers or addresses. Mr. Randall gave a heartfelt explanation to what he’s doing and why. Mr. Randall began to helping war veterans because of his personal experience with his son, a veteran from Iraq. He provides this service entirely on his own. He does not receive any support from outside sources. I applaud and thank him. PaPa Joe reported that the Legion Riders this year contributed over $600,000.00 to the Legacy Fund. This is what our Riders are all about. I am hoping to give some shirts out for the membership drive at the next meeting. Remember, recruit 5 new members and receive a nice polo shirt with the 2010 Membership
Team on it. More discussion will be coming on the raffle that Rap Brown is chairing. He and Bill Lentz are working on tickets and the prize. We are now at 16 members short of a 100% Department goal. Note, I said Department, not Post. Our goal is 1300 for Post-13. We are still short, and we have many that haven’t paid their 2010 dues. Let’s get out there and remind those who have not renewed their memberships. Let’s beat the bushes for new members.
With over 18,700 Veterans in our area, surely, we can get another 700 members. Another task we have at hand Is to update the Post Constitution and By-laws. The committee chaired by Judge Advocate Dan McSwords will present their proposals at the November meeting. Hopefully, we can get this important document up to date. The Post Executive Board will meet at 5:00 p.m., October 19, 2009 unless there is a change. Please call the Post for any change in the meeting. All members are welcome. As always, from the Post Executive Committee and I thank you for your continued support.

 

 "For God and Country,"  Ed Kent