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

January 2010

Fellow Legionnaires,

  I want to thank everyone who came out to support our Christmas Dinner on 12 dec! We had a super time and great food catered by one of our own, Gerone "Andy" Anderson. Andy put on Turkey, fried and smoked, Ham, Sweet Potato Souffle, Green Beans, Dressing and gravy and the Ladies Auxiliary provided the sheet Cake and decorations. I think everyone wo attended has a great time. If you weren't there, we certainly missed you! Put it on your calendar for next year. Any of the left-over's, and there was a lot, went to the Valdosta Fire Department. They picked it up that night. We also had the Raffle Drawing for the 500 gallons of gas. Mr. Steven Bailey won the 500 gallons of gas, and according to the Chaplain Howard Hansford, he will probably become a member. Howard sold the winning ticket! Mike and his wife were there from Mike and Son's BP also. My wife, Penne, donated the door-prize, a Longberger basket filled with girl stuff. The winner for the basket was Wileen White. The year we had 20 fifteen dollar drawings with Cheyenne as  our hostess drawer. She did a great job, but didn't draw her grandmother's (Henrietta Traynor) number. Again, I think everyone had a good time. On a more somber note, the very same day we had our Christmas party, one of our very dear members, outstanding supporter and world war II hero, Mr. Billy Langdale Sr., died. This event marks a tremendous loss to our post and me. Mr. Langdale has been instrumental in almost every aspect of the Post in its moving forward. He's served in most of the Post positions and served his State on the Department of Transportation Board. Mr. Langdale will be missed. In the northern part of our State, the parents of one of our members, Brandon Fetterer, lost almost their entire house in a fire. Through efforts on the Legion Riders, donations from Moody AFB and the Legion Post in Statham, GA, they will slowly get back to some semblance of normalcy in their lives. Let's keep Mr. Langdale's and the Fetterer's families in our prayers. What a though time of year to have these types of problems heaped upon you. Please don't forget to come to our Post meeting in January 2010! We'll be voting on changes to our Constitution and By-Laws. This is an important event! Let your voice be heard. I have also asked our Finance Officer, Richard Brown, to begin looking at the next year's budget. We're going to have to start trimming down in some areas in order to make our fiscal goal. Don't forget, we don't have the income that we've had in the year past. With the economy as it is, we've had to accept lower interest rates for our Certificates of Deposit. Right now, this is what we're living off of. We have to cut our expenses or find other means of income, such as the raffles. Any ideas are acceptable! Once again, I want to thank each and every member for the confidence and support you've given me and the Executive Committee in running Post13. We've topped the 120% mark for our Department goal, but still short our self-imposed goal of 1300. We're over 50% there! Let's continue to get out and beat the bushes for those= members. Remember, we are the largest War Time Veterans organization in the United States and the State of Georgia and have a tremendous impact on our elected representatives and our benefits. Our next Post Executive Board will meet on 18 Jan at 1700 hours 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 for your continued support.
 

 "For God and Country,"  Ed Kent