MAY 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
10 May 2019
Election of 2019-2020 officers, planning for National Commander’s visit in June 2019 and State Convention in July.
14 June 2019
Installation of 2019-2020 officers and Vietnam War Anniversary Award Ceremony
Post and American Legion News
There are a number of things happening over the next several months at the Post that might be of interest and request for volunteers.
First, the big news. Sam Leopardo of Olympic Ambulance was our Post’s EMT of the Year award last September. The Department has informed us that Sam has also won the Department EMT of the Year award for 2019. He will receive his award in July in Spokane at the Department convention.
Second, the American Legion National Commander will be coming to our Post on 26 June 2019 for dinner and meeting. You are cordially invited to attend and your assistance in preparing for his visit would be much appreciated. If you plan on attending, please let the adjutant know. Larry can be contacted at 360.701.5921 or email at lgrani@comcast.net.
Third, our Post has been partnering with the Lacey Veterans Services Hub and Home Depot to do repairs and assist disabled veterans in our area. Home Depot supplied the materials and some volunteers and we provided additional volunteers and refreshments.
· 2 May – this is a WWII veteran and spouse who have mobility issues. This project is almost complete and little assistance is needed from our Post to complete it.
· 4 May – this is a Vietnam veteran who is an amputee and has bladder cancer with mobility issues. We got the walkway prepared, deck railing and wheelchair completed, and major yard clean up completed. We will return on 11 May 2019 to complete pouring the concrete for the walkway.
Both of these projects are the construction of wheelchair ramps and walkways plus some yard clean up. These are great opportunities to help other veterans in need. If you could help, please come around 8:00 am or contact the Post Commander at 360.867.1839 or 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
Now that the weather is much improved with the warm weather and sunshine outside, you should give some thought to getting out and exercising. Here are some benefits of exercise from the Mayo Clinic about the benefits of daily exercise.
Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity
You know exercise is good for you, but do you know how good? From boosting your mood to improving your sex life, find out how exercise can improve your life.
Want to feel better, have more energy and even add years to your life? Just exercise.
The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. Everyone benefits from exercise, regardless of age, sex or physical ability.
Need more convincing to get moving? Check out these seven ways exercise can lead to a happier, healthier you.
1. Exercise controls weight
Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn.
Regular trips to the gym are great, but don't worry if you can't find a large chunk of time to exercise every day. Any amount of activity is better than none at all. To reap the benefits of exercise, just get more active throughout your day — take the stairs instead of the elevator or rev up your household chores. Consistency is key.
2. Exercise combats health conditions and diseases
Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Regular exercise helps prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, many types of cancer, arthritis and falls. It can also help improve cognitive function and helps lower the risk of death from all causes.
3. Exercise improves mood
Need an emotional lift? Or need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A gym session or brisk walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier, more relaxed and less anxious.
You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.
4. Exercise boosts energy
Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance.
Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lung health improve, you have more energy to tackle daily chores.
5. Exercise promotes better sleep
Struggling to snooze? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster, get better sleep and deepen your sleep. Just don't exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to go to sleep.
6. Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life
Do you feel too tired or too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Regular physical activity can improve energy levels and physical appearance, which may boost your sex life.
But there's even more to it than that. Regular physical activity may enhance arousal for women. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don't exercise.
7. Exercise can be fun … and social!
Exercise and physical activity can be enjoyable. It gives you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy. Physical activity can also help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting.
So, take a dance class, hit the hiking trails or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and just do it. Bored? Try something new, or do something with friends.
The bottom line on exercise
Exercise and physical activity are a great way to feel better, boost your health and have fun. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Examples include running, walking or swimming. Fit in strength training for all the major muscle groups at least twice a week by lifting free weights, using weight machines or doing body-weight exercises.
Space out your activities throughout the week. If you want to lose weight, meet specific fitness goals or have even more benefits, you may need to increase your physical activity time.
Remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you haven't exercised for a long time, have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or arthritis, or you have any concerns.
Murphy’s Military Laws of the month
· The only time suppressive fire works is when it is used on abandoned positions.
· Automatic weapons – aren’t.
· When a front line soldier overhears two General Staff officers conferring, he’s fallen back too far.
· When you have secured an area, don’t forget to tell the enemy.
Adjutant’s Report
If you have not renewed your membership for this year, please do so soon.
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
Your VA Benefits
Independent Living
Independent Living services may be provided to individuals who are not currently able to work because of the effects of service-connected disabilities. Provided services are limited to those required to improve independence at home and in the community.
Each Individualized Independent Living Plan is personalized to meet the individual's specific needs. In general, independent living services cannot last more than 24 months. Services may be extended if certain criteria are met.
Individuals who are pursuing employment goals may also receive independent living services if these services are required to support the achievement of their vocational objective.
Independent living services may include:
· Evaluation and counseling services to help determine independent living needs and identify goals
· Coordination of consultations with specialists such as physicians, physical and/or occupational therapists, and rehabilitation engineers
· Information about and referral to resources which may provide health care services, special technology and equipment, community living support, disability support and family counseling
· Information and assistance with exploring eligibility for VA home modification benefits including the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant and the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant
· Ongoing case support to help individuals achieve the independent living goals included in the Individualized Independent Living Plan
If this is something that you are interested in, please talk to Rose Hodgeboom, our Post VSO.
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
