VETERANS DAY 2015 AT POST 139

Post 139 will celebrate Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2015.

Guest speaker will be retired Commander and Post 139 member Kathryn Gift.

The Bay High Band will perform patriotic songs.  Refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

The public is invited to attend.

                                                          VETERANS DAY FACTS

Veterans Day originated as "Armistice Day" on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I.  Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938.  Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day--a common misunderstanding, according to the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans--living or dead--but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

In 1954, President Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October.  The law went into effect in 1971, but in 1975 President Ford returned Veterans Day to November 11, due to the important historical significance of the date.  Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11th:  Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November).  In Europe, Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a. m. every November 11.

VETERANS STATS

The brave men and women who serve and protect the U. S. come from all walks of life; they are parents, children and grandparents.  They are friends, neighbors and coworkers, and an important part of their communities.  Here are some facts about the current veterans population of the United States.

There are approximately 23.2 million military veterans in the United States.

9.2 million veterans are over the age of 65.

1.9 million veterans are under the age of 35.

1.8 million veterans are women.

7.8 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975), which represents 33% of all living veterans.

5.2 million veterans served during the Gulf War (representing service from August 2, 1990, to the present).

2.6 million veterans served during World War II (1941-1945).

2.8 million veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).

6 million veterans served in peacetime.

As of 2008, 2.9 million veterans received compensation for service-connected disabilities.

The VA health care system had 54 hospitals in 1930, since then it has expanded to include 171 medical centers; more than 350 outpatient, community, and outreach clinics; 126 nursing home care units; and35 live-in care facilities for injured disabled vets.

POST 139 SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI FOUNDATION

Approximately 60 years ago (not really sure of the exact year) American Legion Post 139 invested in a scholarship fund at the University of Southern Mississippi.

The purpose of this fund is to provide a scholarship that shall be awarded to undergraduate students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 with preference given to children of Post 139 members who reside in Hancock County.  If not student from that area meets the criteria, the scholarship is awarded to another qualified student.

The scholarship recipient for 2014-2015 is Zechariah Geoffrey from Waveland.

In addition to this scholarship, Post 139 also provides a $1,000.00 scholarship to a local student.  This years recipient of this scholarship is Emily McGinnity of Bay St. Louis, who is attending Mississippi State University.

FLAG BURNING CEREMONY AT POST 139

THERE WILL BE A FLAG BURNING CEREMONY AT POST 139 AT 5 PM TODAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015. 

POST 139 STEAK NIGHT SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

POST 139 STEAK NIGHT

SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

5 PM TO 8 PM

STEAK...BAKED POTATO...SALAD...TEXAS TOAST

$15.00

SEE YOU THERE!

STEAK NIGHT AT POST 139

Great steaks at Post 139 last night (8/21/15).

Thanks to Huggy Bear, Melissa, Gilbert, Louis and all others who pitched in to help.

Great job on the steaks, Huggy Bear.

Terrific music by Johnny Fung.

STEAK NIGHT...FRIDAY...AUGUST 21, 2015

STEAK NIGHT

POST 139

STEAK, BAKED POTATO, SALAD AND TEXAS TOAST

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2015

5 PM TO 8 PM

SEE YOU THERE!

STEAK NIGHT A SUCCESS

Thanks to everyone who came out last night (August 7th) and supported Post 139 for steak night. Great job by Huggy Bear, Melissa, Gilbert, Louis and all others who helped. Next steak night will be Friday, August 21, 2015. See you there!

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING AND STEAK NIGHT

The Post 139 Executive Committee Meeting will be held tonight, August 6, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. at the Clubhouse.

Commander Taylor will present the Executive Commitee with committee assignments for the coming year and dispense with other business as may come before the committee.

Friday, August 7, 2015, from 5 pm to 8 pm will be steak night at the Clubhouse.  Steak, baked potato, Texas toast and a salad for $15.00.  Hope to see you there.

POST 139 STEAK NIGHT

STEAKS by HUGGY BEAR

AUGUST 7, 2015

5:00 P.M. TIL 8:00 P.M.

or 

UNTIL WE RUN OUT OF STEAKS

$15.00

SEE YOU THERE!

VETERAN ID CARDS

The following information was received from past Department and Post Commander Clayton Thompson, who received it from Department of Mississippi via e-mail.

On July 20, President Obama signed into law P. L. 114-31, a bill that created a new identification card (ID) for military veterans.  Sponsored by Representative Vern Buchanan (FL), the bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue a veteran's identification card (VA currently only provides VA-enrolled veterans an ID card).  The newly-legislated VA card would allow veterans to prove teir veteran sttus without having to carry a military service record, such as the most comon form of proof of service known as the "DD-214".  DD-214s contain sensitive personal information, such as the veteran's Social Security Number, thus leaving a veteran at risk for identify theft.

Section 2 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue a veteran's identification card to a requesting veteran who is neither entitled to military retired pay nor enrolled in the VA system of patient enrollment.  Requires such card, among other things, to (1) display the veteran's name and photograph, and (2) serve as proof that the veteran has a DD-214 form or other official document in his or her military personnel file that describes the veteran's military service.

Directs the VA to charge a card fee.

States that such card shall not serve as proof of entitlement to any benefits.

We are waiting to hear from VA concerning when they plan on rolling out the new VA ID Cards.  As soon as we receive confirmation, we will provide you with an update.

Roscoe Butler

Deputy Director for Health Care, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation

Phone 202-263-2998  ::  Fax 202-833-4452

POST 139 INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

     Installation of officers was held last night, July 17, 2015, at Post 139 in Bay St. Louis.

     The Sons of the Legion officers were installed by Post 139 and Past Department Commander Clayton Thompson.  Henry Wilkinson was installed as the Commander for the coming year.

     The Ladies Auxiliary Unit 139 were installed by current Department President Anita McCallister.
Helen Barnes was installed as Unit President for 2015-2016.

     Robert Endt, recently elected Department Commander installed the officers of Post 139.  Bill Taylor was installed as Post Commander for 2015-2016.

     Miss Poppies were crowned at the installation.  They were Brynn Alyce Compretta and Emma Munson.

     Prior to the installation music was provided by Chuck Tippit.  Following the installation Johnny Fung entertained those in attendance with a variety of music.

     A great meal was enjoyed by those in attendance following the installation.  The meal was prepared by 2nd Vice Commander Donald "Huggy Bear" Handler and his team.

     A good time was had by all.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

     Membership renewal notices are coming in from National at this time of the year.  It is important that you respond and renew your membership as soon as you receive it.  Membership numbers are very important to all veterans.  The more members we have, the more effective our lobby in Washington, D. C. to get more benefits for our veterans.

     The installation of officers for Post 139 will be held at the American Legion Clubhouse on July 17, 2015.  All members of Post 139 and guests are invited to attend.  Cocktail hour begins at 6:00 p.m. with the installation of the ladies auxiliary beginning at 7:00 p.m. followed by the men's installation with dinner to follow.

      On August 7, 2015, our new second vice Donald (Huggy Bear) Handler will be cooking steaks for the members.  The steaks will be served from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Please pass the world around to your friends and plan to attend.

     By the way, If you submit your e-mail address in the "follow by e-mail" block you will be notified every time a new post is published.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - JUNE 11, 2015 - ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The following were elected at the meeting of June 11, 2015.

Commander                    Bill Taylor
1st Vice Commander      Clayton Thompson
2nd Vice Commander     Donald "Huggy Bear" Handler
Adjutant                          Chuck Tippit
Finance Officer               Pam Edwards
Sergeant-at-Arms            Bud Moreau
Chaplain                          Admiral Vaughan
Service Officer                Joe Cure
Trustee                            Gus Aime
Trustee                            Gilbert Gayaut
Trustee                            Jack Greenway

Joe Cure was elected while absent from the meeting and stated that he did not have the time to fulfill the office of Service Officer.  A special election will be held subsequent to the installation of officers to fill this position.

In other business, Louis Whittle was appointed Club House Manager by Commander Thompson with approval of a majority of the membership present.