American Legion Post 94
MARCH 2019 Newsletter
Up-Coming Meetings and Events
Monthly Membership Meetings (Second Friday of every month except July)
6:00 pm – Social
6:30 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – Program
8 March 2019
Lacey Veterans Services Hub manager, Keith Looker, will give an update on the services provided there.
12 April 2019
Our Post’s Venture Crew will be conducting a class for us on weapons safety.
Post and American Legion News
Three members of our Post recently spent a day at the Stafford Creek Correctional Facility providing VSO support to the incarcerated veterans there. In addition, our District Commander, Frank Sterling, presented them with their charter as an American Legion Post. Frank also deserved a big hand in both getting the post charter approved and also arranging for the VSO trip. Our Post will be going there on a monthly basis to provide VSO support. This is a service provided to these incarcerated veterans that they or their families did not have access to before.
The Post has started its Boys and Girls State recruitment and scholarship drive. Our Post and Auxiliary work with Timberline, North Thurston, and River Ridge High School to identify and recruit high school juniors who would be interested in the programs. If you would like to help or have questions please contact Gary Walker at walkersolympia@comcast.net.
The Post now has a website in addition to its Facebook page. Please check it out at:
http://centennial.legion.org/washington/post94
You can also follow Post activities on Facebook. Check it out and like us to follow events.
Our Facebook page is American Legion Post 94 Lacey Washington.
General Veteran and Safety News
Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead this week. Remember the slogan – “spring forward, fall back.”
Now that the snow is melting away, it is time to start thinking of safety for the spring time. Here are some suggested tips.
Spring Forward, Review Safety Checklist – National Safety Council
Smoke Alarms
Three out of every five home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Test your smoke alarms every month and replace the battery at least once a year. If the alarm makes a "chirping" sound, replace it immediately. Smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and in the common areas on each floor of a home. Mount them at least 10 feet from the stove to reduce false alarms, less than 12 inches from the ceiling and away from windows, doors and ducts.Smoke alarms can be interconnected wirelessly. That means, when one sounds, they all sound. A Consumer Product Safety Commission survey found this is the best way to notify everyone in a home if there is a fire. Be sure to purchase smoke alarms with the label of a reputable testing agency, like Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Anything that burns fuel can potentially become a source of carbon monoxide, an invisible, odorless gas that can kill. CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each bedroom and on every level of the home. The safety tips for CO detectors mirror those of smoke alarms: change the batteries, test them and interconnect them, if possible. Also, make sure vents for your gas appliances (fireplace, dryer, stove and furnace) are free and clear of snow or debris.
Family Emergency Plan
The National Safety Council recommends every family have an emergency plan in place in the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event. Spring is a great time to review that plan with family members. Have a home and car emergency kit. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says an emergency kit should include one gallon of water per day for each person, at least a three-day supply of food, flashlight and batteries, first aid kit, filter mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, and medicines. Visit the FEMA website for a complete list. The emergency plan also should include:
A communications plan to outline how your family members will contact one another and where to meet if it's safe to go outside
A shelter-in-place plan if outside air is contaminated; FEMA recommends sealing windows, doors and air vents with plastic sheeting
A getaway plan including various routes and destinations in different directions
Also, make sure your first aid kit is updated.
Get Rid of Unwanted Medicines
NSC recommends you take unwanted or expired medicines to a prescription drop box or take-back event near you. NSC offers free Stericycle Seal & Send envelopes, so you can send your unwanted medication to be safely destroyed.
Getting the Urge to Clean?
With the warm weather comes a desire to shine and polish your home. But when warning labels are ignored or chemicals fall into the wrong hands, disaster can occur. Learn what you can do to keep you family safe around poisons in the home.
Window Safety
With warmer temperatures arriving, it's important to practice window safety - especially in homes with young children. Find more information about window safety.
Murphy’s Military Laws of the month
· Combat will occur on the ground between two adjoining maps.
· Don’t look conspicuous. In the combat zone, it draws fire. Out of the combat zone, it draws sergeants.
· No OpPlan ever survives initial contact.
· You are not Superman.
Adjutant’s Report
American Legion National and Department Headquarters voted to raise their dues by $5.00 each for a total of $10.00 starting January 2016 for a grand total of $50.00 per year. The Post voted to not raise its dues at this time.
Building Rental
If you were not aware, the Post offers both the post building and the pavilion for rent.
Building
Post Members
Non-Members
Post Building
$175.00
$325.00
Pavilion (available only on week nights)
$175.00
$325.00
Pavilion is no longer available for weekend rentals. The post has a Church renting it for both Saturday and Sundays.
There is a $200.00 refundable security deposit requirement as well. Please contact Larry Granish at 360.701.5921 or email at lgrani@comcast.net to reserve either facility.
Chaplain’s Corner
Contact the Post Chaplain, Otis Chapman, at lukie1964@gmail.com if you need assistance.
Service Officer and VA News
About VA Health Benefits
What care and services does VA health care cover?
Each Veteran’s medical benefits package is unique. Yours will include care and services to help:
· Treat illnesses and injuries
· Prevent future health problems
· Improve your ability to function
· Enhance your quality of life
All Veterans receive coverage for most care and services, but only some will qualify for added benefits like dental care. The full list of your covered benefits depends on:
· Your priority group, and
· The advice of your VA primary care provider (your main doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant), and
· The medical standards for treating any health conditions you may have
Learn more about priority groups.
Service Officer Information
Do you feel that you have a residual health problem that is linked to your time in the service? Have you applied for benefits with the Veterans Administration and been turned down? If so, do not try to deal with the VA on your own. My name is Rose Hodgeboom and I am the Post 94 service officer. It is my job to help you navigate the benefits system. Call me at 360-491-3621 if you need assistance with a claim. The Legion also has a Temporary Financial Assistance program that could help you one time with paying your utilities, rent/mortgage, or other emergency needs. This is an American Legion Children and Youth program and to qualify you must have minor children in your home. If you feel you need help from this program let me know and I will be glad to help.
The Lacey Veterans Service Hub also provides a wide variety of assistance to veterans and now has over 35 providers working out of there. The Hub is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (except holidays) and is located at 4232 6th Avenue SE, Suite 202, Lacey, WA 98503. The phone number is 360.456.3850.
Post Officers for 2017-2018
Commander – Gary Walker
1st Vice-Commander - Bob Nakamura
2nd Vice Commander - Larry Douglas
Adjutant - Larry Granish
Finance Officer – Dave Hodgeboom
Sergeant at Arms – Kevin Lindsey
Chaplain – Otis Chapman
Veteran Service Officer - Rose Hodgeboom
Judge Advocate - David Hodgeboom
Post Historian – Eric Strom
