Fall/Winter Newsletter

FALL/WINTER 2013 NEWSLETTER
A lot has happened since the Summer newsletter. The IRS is now requiring that the Post keep copies of your DD-214 and/or discharge papers showing each member’s duty tours. Would each of you who have not furnished a copy recently, please send the Post a copy as soon as practical. If the post is audited and these documents are not on file, the Post will be subject to a fine of $1,000 dollars per day until the documents are furnished. If for some reason you cannot locate a copy, please contact the Monroe County Veterans Service Officer (VSO) and he can order one for you. Currently, Chuck Mullins is the VSO for Monroe County , his telephone number is 423-442-5812.
If any of you have lost your medals, new ones can be obtained free of charge on a one-time basis by applying to Monroe County Service Officer, Chuck Mullins, (Monday through Wednesday, 8:00 am to 4:30). A copy of your DD-214 or other discharge paperwork listing the earned medals is required for him to order them.
Sweetwater Area Ministries (SAMS) is distributing food donated by Walmart on Wednesday or Friday of each week from 1:00-2:00 p.m. to all Monroe County residents at the SAMS building on Sweetwater/Vonore Road. In addition SAMS also provides a Food Pantry to Monroe County residents by appointment only on Tuesdays, see attached flyer from SAMS.
The Tennessee Department of the American Legion sends out the Dues renewal notifications in July of each year so that they can prepare their budgets for the coming year, so even if it was 2013, this past July each of you received a dues notice for 2014 dues. Our year actually runs from July 1 of the current year through June 30 of the New Year, for example, July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. The dues notice you will be receiving July 1, 2014 is for the period July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 and so on. Members who have not paid 2014 dues by the end of December will be considered in arrears on January 1, 2014. Thank you everyone who has already paid your 2014 dues. If you have not paid 2014 dues, please pay online or send your check to PO Box 817, Sweetwater, TN 37874.
LegionCare limited accidental death insurance is available to you at no cost and covers you regardless of where the accident happens. The application information was sent to you last year but for some reason, most of the members have not taken advantage of this free benefit. If you have misplaced your card, please contact the Post by telephoning 423-337-2398 and another card will be sent out. Or if you have any questions regarding the insurance, please call.
Department of Tennessee is requesting that each Post send in a dollar per member to support the Emergency Relief Fund. They also want each Post to support the Children and Youth Fund. Please consider making a dollar or more donation to each fund and send it to PO Box 817, Sweetwater, TN 37874. Any donations made for the Emergency Relief Fund or Children and Youth Fund is tax deductible.
The post is in need of repairs to both the front and rear doors which are rusting badly and need replacing. In order for the post to do this, funding is needed. We have been holding various fund raisers, i.e., hotdog sales on the various holidays, roadblocks, pancake breakfasts, holiday dinners, etc., but have a funding shortfall. Would each of you consider making a donation to help in making the repairs?
In July the Post and Ladies Auxiliary decorated a float for the 4th of July parade and passed out flags to the spectators. We sold hot dogs and drinks to thirsty and hungry participants who were enjoying the 4th celebration, the evening ended with a fireworks display. Mayor Doyle drew the winning tickets for the donated meal items and the winners were notified by telephone and letter. During July Joe Caldwell, a member of the Post, passed away. And in August, Jackie Jones passed away. The Post started gathering information on both these members so that the Post Everlasting ceremony could be held. Plans were finalized and the ceremony was held in September instead of our regular meeting for both these members. They will surely be missed by those who knew them. Prior to the ceremony, our Boys State representative Issac Wheeler gave a presentation on his experiences while attending Boys State. He was very appreciative of the chance given him to attend Boys State by the Post and he thanked everyone for the opportunity and for their service. He said he was surprised that someone who was not at the top of the class was able to attend. He mentioned that he was not used to getting up so early but after he learned the routines, i.e., making the bed and keeping his space maintained to the military way etc. which generated laughter from all who were in attendance and remembered the good old days, he felt that it was a good experience for anyone given the same opportunity to attend.
The Post and Auxiliary held the annual MIA/POW ceremony on September 20. Also the Auxiliary held a movie night later in the evening of September 20 at Engelmann Park in Sweetwater. Charlie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is the movie that was shown. All veterans and the citizens of Monroe and surrounding Counties were invited to participate.
In October, Chuck Mullins, a member of the post and the Monroe County Veterans Service officer made a presentation to the post members to give information regarding the claims filing process and the various programs available to veterans. He passed out several different brochures giving information on what is available to all veterans in addition to the filing timelines. He ended his presentation with a question and answer period, one of our new members was able to file an Agent Orange claim based on the information given.
In November, Ms. Connie Blomstrom of the Sweetwater Area Ministries aka SAMS gave a presentation to the post members about what SAMS is and does. Not only is SAMS a thrift store, but they are also a crisis center. The staff handles many clients, many of whom may need food, clothing and temporary shelter or help with their utility bills due to circumstances beyond their control. Another aspect is teaching clients home and/or work skills necessary to get and keep a job. 100% of donations received go toward meeting the needs in the community, in an effort to end homelessness, hunger and teaching life skills. The thrift store sales take care of building maintenance, plumbing etc. Also Post members participated in the annual Veterans Day parade sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In December, the Post and Ladies Auxiliary decorated a float to be judged prior to the Christmas Parade held on December 6. We were awarded second place in the Fraternal and Civic category. The cash prize of $150 was split between the Post and Auxiliary, each receiving $75. A Christmas dinner with ham and turkey, with all the fixings, was held December 21 at the Post. Those in attendance enjoyed it. All veterans and citizens of Monroe and surrounding counties were invited for the meal. The Auxiliary is also planning further such activities in the future. Why not join us in for the fun.
The post would also like to form a “Sons of the American Legion” (SAL) unit and also a “Legion Riders” (motorcycle) unit. In order to do so, we need an indication of interest from the members and their eligible members. For the riders group there must be at least 5 Legion members in good standing (current dues paid) and the SAL must have 10 members in order for each unit to become chartered. Please let us know your thoughts.
The post would also like to publish your war stories and military experiences. Those “war stories” are slow in coming, so far we only have two members who have furnished their stories. Please consider giving us a write up of your stories so that they can be compiled and possibly used as a fund raiser for the future. The publication may be something your family, children and grandchildren might like to keep or read about your funny/sad or general experiences you had during your service career.
Am looking forward to receiving those “war stories” and military experiences. Send them to the Post Adjutant, PO Box 817, Sweetwater, TN 37874. That’s it for now….until the next time.