Post 501 E-Newsletter – November 2021

 

Legionnaires,

Below is the Post 501 E-newsletter for the month of November 2021. 

Commanders Corner:  Veterans contribute to American society in many ways and not just during their time in active duty. Throughout our history, service members have put on their uniforms to protect the values and liberties that this nation was built on. That doesn’t stop once the uniform comes off and the veterans’ time in active duty has ended. Veterans take the lessons they have learned and the experiences they’ve gained and continue their service to our nation by strengthening our communities. They become our nation’s leaders, scientists and entrepreneurs.  It is one of the cornerstones of the American Legion and why many people become members and become active participants in their Posts.  That is why it was great to see some new faces at the Oct Post meeting.  The more voices that are heard the better our Post becomes.  Let’s keep it up.

Membership Update:  To date we are at 103 members who have renewed their membership for 2022.  Our goal this year is 143 and we are at 72% renewal rate, which is great.  Let’s get it over the goal prior to the Xmas holidays.  If you still need to renew your membership you can do it today at www.legion.org.   

Wall of Thanks: We will be talking with the manager of the Valley Creek Mall to determine if we can do this year’s Wall of Thanks.  The event normally starts on the weekend after Thanksgiving and lasts until the weekend prior to Christmas (Sat/Sun only). The Wall of Thanks is our annual event to raise money for local charities and to honor veterans or members currently serving in the military.   The booth is located inside the Valley Creek Mall across from Keys Cafe. Visitors will be able to donate money that will benefit the local charities.  Additionally, you will be able to post the name of a veteran or a family member currently serving in the military, on a placard and affix it to the Wall of Thanks. If it is a go Post member Dale Johnson will be reaching out to you to volunteer some of your time for the Wall of Thanks.

Hastings Adopt a Vet Program:  The holiday season is almost upon us.  The Hastings Veterans Home is gearing up for a wonderful fun filled time and you can be part of it through the Adopt a Vet Program.  The Hastings Veterans Home will give you a name and a few bits of information about the veteran, like branch of service, sizes and maybe even a hobby.  Once you have this information you do the shopping and wrap the gifts. This is a great way to share the holiday spirit with a veteran in need. All gifts must be received by 10 Dec so that the Hastings Veterans Home can make sure everyone is covered. I went ahead and signed up for this wonderful program just the other day. It is not too late to spread some holiday cheer.  If you are interested in the Adopt a Vet program call Sue Register at 651-212-8812 or email susan.register@state.mn.us.

 

Buddy Checks: As Legionnaires, our most sacred responsibility is to look out for each other and our fellow veterans. We are living in unprecedented times with COVID-19.  As Legion members we are encouraged to reach out to veterans who may need assistance but don’t know where to go or who to ask. We need to let the veterans in our community know we care and provide whatever assistance they may need. It’s what we do for our battle buddies.  This is a Post activity that you can do in the comfort of your home and at your own pace.  If you want to be part of these Buddy Checks give Commander Bob Dolan a call at 703-851-5416 or email at dolanrp@verizon.net and he can give you a group of people to call.

Veterans Day Event:  As you know, there will not be any Veterans Day programs at the Woodbury High Schools or at City Hall this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Woodbury High School will be putting a virtual Veterans Day program, which I will post on our Facebook page:  (8) Woodbury American Legion Post 501 | Facebook

At this time of year Post 501 member Dale Johnson replaces the many flags at the Woodbury Veterans Memorial; and on Veterans Day we have always individually hoisted the new US, Army, Marine, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Army National Guard flags.  At the writing of this newsletter, we do not have enough Color Guard members to pull this off.  If anything changes, I will let you know.

 Hearts and Hammers:   Does your home need exterior painting or maintenance? Hearts & Hammers’ mission is to provide exterior home improvement help for senior citizens, disabled adults, and veterans. Each year, from June 1st to October 1st, thousands of volunteers provide exterior painting and maintenance for homeowners throughout the seven-county metro area. 
 
To be eligible, participants must be a homeowner who meets income guidelines, be 60 years or older, have a permanent disability, or be a veteran of the United States Armed Forces or their surviving spouse. The gross monthly household income cannot exceed $2,602 for one person, $3,523 for two people, $4,444 for three people or $5,365 for four. The home must be a single-family home and occupied by the owner. 
 
Homeowners can apply at www.heartsandhammers.org or call 651-636-0797 to have an application mailed. Hearts & Hammers accepts applications all season long. Applying does not guarantee your home will be selected. Homes are inspected and selected based on availability of volunteers, materials, and scope of work 

 

Upcoming Events 

  • 10 Nov – Lake Elmo/Oakdale Prayer Breakfast: The Lake Elmo/Oakdale Prayer Breakfast will be held at Inwood Oaks in Oakdale at 7am on 10 Nov 21. This event is free to veterans. The keynote speaker will be Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell a survivor of the plane crash at the Pentagon on 11 Sept 2001. Reserve your seat(s) by email at oleaprayerbreakfast@gmail.com.
  • 11 Nov – Veterans Day
  • 18 Nov – Woodbury Post 501 Monthly Meeting: The Post’s November meeting will be held at the Woodbury City Hall in the Ash North (main floor) conference room at 7pm. 

This Month in History – Veterans Day: 11 November 2021

 

Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day, we stand united in respect for you, our veterans. This holiday started as a day to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country's service and was originally called Armistice Day. It fell on Nov. 11 because that is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to "Veterans Day" in order to account for all veterans in all wars.  We celebrate and honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

 

When first celebrated as Armistice Day, the day marked the end of World War I, formally recognized on the “11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month” in 1918.

 

Today we continue to celebrate the day as Veterans Day, still recognizing the original tie with November 11. That means Veterans Day is on the same day every year – November 11 – regardless of on which day of the week it falls.

 

 

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

View more history for Post 501 in Woodbury, Minnesota