Post 501 E-Newsletter – December 2021
Legionnaires,
Below is the Post 501 E-newsletter for the month of December 2021.
Commanders Corner: At this time of year, I like to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. It is really easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season this time of year and miss the chance to celebrate the gifts of hope, peace, and joy. This Christmas season, I want to send each of you serenity, peace in your home, and peace in your hearts, especially when it feels like the world all around us spins out of control. I hope you can find this inner serenity and be awed by the miracle of the Gift of Christmas.
Membership Update: To date we are at 117 members who have renewed their membership for 2022. Our goal this year is 143 and we are at 82% 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: The Woodbury American Legion Post 501 will be conducting their Wall of Thanks charity drive at the Valley Creek Mall starting 27 November and running through 19 December. The hours for Saturday are from 8am to 3pm and Sunday's from 9am to1pm.
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. Hope to see you there.
Buddy Checks: As Legionnaires, our most sacred responsibility is to look out for each other and our fellow veterans. During the holiday season we as Legion members should be reaching out to our 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: Students at St Ambrose Elementary School created around 400 handmade cards thanking veterans for their Service. As you can see from the pictures, on the Post’s Facebook page, (7) Woodbury American Legion Post 501 | Facebook, the students were very creative in showing their gratitude to veterans who have and are currently serving our country. American Legion Post 501 & VFW Post 9024 donated the cards to the Veterans Home in Hastings & VA Hospital for the residents to enjoy.
Home Flag Replacement Project: Commander Dolan has taken on a project for replacement of worn American flags at residential homes in Woodbury. He has already replaced 2 flags in the community. If you see any of your neighbors flying worn flags at their homes let him know at dolanrp@verizon.net.
Upcoming Events
- 16 Dec – Woodbury Post 501 Monthly Meeting: The Post’s December meeting will be held at the Woodbury City Hall in the Ash North (main floor) conference room at 7pm.
- 24 Feb - Joint Awards Banquet: The annual Joint Awards Banquet will be held on 24 Feb at the Green Mill restaurant. More information will be passed as we get closer to this event
This Month in History – National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: 7 December 2021
Each year on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Survivors, veterans, and visitors from all over the world come together to honor and remember the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. A further 1,178 people were injured in the attack, which permanently sank two U.S. Navy battleships (the USS Arizona and the USS Utah) and destroyed 188 aircraft.
On Aug. 23, 1994, the United States Congress designated Dec. 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Every year, remembrance events are held at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, culminating in a commemoration ceremony on Dec. 7.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
