August 1, 2019 begins a new Legion Year and I report that the Post is alive and well.  The 2019 – 2020 dues are now due. Thank you to the 200 plus members that have responded and paid.  To those that haven’t please make that a priority.

The easiest way that I have found to renew my membership is by logging onto www.legion.org and click the renew tab at the top of the page, fill in your legion ID#’ off of your membership  card, and your Last Name and hit continue, fill out all the required information and how you want to make payment and you can print out a temporary card and the Adjutant will mail you your permanent card. Why don’t you go to the web site and complete your renewal now?

100^th Anniversary Picnic

Special thanks go out to the Legion Family and all the volunteers that had a part in making the picnic a huge success.  many of the 120 plus that attended stated what a good time they had.

Legion Act: July 30, 2019, President Donald Trump signed the Legion Act

In a significant legislative victory for The American Legion, President Trump signed a bill July 30 that declares the United States has been in a state of war since Dec. 7, 1941.

The American Legion sought the declaration as a way to honor approximately 1,600 U.S. servicemembers who were killed or wounded during previously undeclared periods of war.

The LEGION Act (Let Everyone Get Involved In Opportunities for National Service Act) also opens the door for approximately 6 million veterans to access American Legion programs and benefits for which they previously had not been eligible.

“Recognizing the service of these wartime veterans is the right thing do and it is long overdue,” National Commander Brett Reistad said. “The families of those who were killed or wounded during these wartime acts should take pride in knowing that we recognize their sacrifice and service. Moreover, we are proud to welcome any of the six million living veterans from the previously unrecognized periods into our organization and call them ‘Legionnaires.’”

Now that the legislation has been signed, The American Legion’s eligibility criteria immediately changes from seven war eras to two: April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. 7, 1941 to a time later determined by the federal government. No other restrictions to American Legion membership are changed.

The law’s journey began on Feb. 14 when Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., introduced S. 504, along with Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. A companion measure, H.R. 1641, was introduced in the House by Reps. Lou Correa, D-Calif., and Ben Cline, R-Va.

Reistad expressed gratitude to the bipartisan members of Congress for passing the legislation.

“We are grateful that President Trump fully acknowledges the importance of The American Legion by signing the LEGION Act in the White House today – just one week after it passed the House of Representatives,” Reistad said. “In an era of partisan gridlock, Republicans and Democrats in Congress overwhelmingly recognized the importance of allowing thousands of honorable but previously ineligible veterans the right to join the largest and most influential veterans organization in the country.”

Reistad pointed out that existing American Legion membership applications are in the process of being updated but can still be used. “In the meantime, I recommend that prospective Legionnaires and recruiters write ‘LEGION Act’ in the eligibility date section of American Legion membership applications if they fall outside the previous war eras,” Reistad said. “The larger pool of veterans now eligible for The American Legion will also open their family members to eligibility in the Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary as well.”

Installation of Officers

The 2019 – 2020 Officers of the Ladies Auxiliary, SAL, Riders and Legion will be installed on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 1600 (4:00 p.m.) with dinner to follow at 1830 (6:30p.m.)

Dress for Legion Officers is gray pants, white shirt w/tie, blue blazer and Legion hat.  Members that do not have the above uniform can attend with coat and tie.

This affair is open to all members and guests. Cost $10.00 per person.

Menu: Tossed salad w/dressing, stuffed chicken breast, meat loaf, mashed potatoes and fresh carrots.  Beer and soda are included with the price of the ticket.  There will be a sign-up sheet in the bar for those planning to attend.  Please come out and show your support for your officers and the post.

Guest Speaker

We are planning on having a guest speaker at our September Meeting, more information to follow.

My fellow legionnaires; another Legion year has now come to an end.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow officers, of both the Legion and Home Association, for all the hard work and dedication that they have shown throughout the past year.  I also would like to thank the bar tenders and kitchen staff for all their hard work.  The next time you are at the Social Quarters take a minute to personally thank them. 

The election of officers is complete and the following chair officers have been elected;

Commander                           Tom Rafferty   

1^st Vice Commander            Bob Hockenbury

2^nd Vice Commander           Tom Marchetto

Finance Officer                     Ed Gallagher

Adjutant                                 Ed Brace

Chaplain                                Vince Menegus

There were many things accomplished but there is still much to be done.

• Parking lot repair
• Signage at three locations to be upgraded
• Renovations to the Brown & Lynch rooms          [Lowes Project]
• Clean out and remove the trailer that were used for sheds
• Resurrect and bring to fruition the pavilion
• Grounds clean-up and tree trimming

Blue Water Navy Veterans Act: On Tuesday, June 25, President Trump signed into law H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. Veterans who served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975 are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange if diagnosed with a medical condition associated with the herbicide, according to the Agent Orange Act of 1991. H.R. 299 extends these benefits to any military personnel who served on any vessel during the Vietnam War that came within 12 nautical miles of the coastlines of Vietnam. Any Navy Veteran that falls into this category can get more information from the Service Officer.

American Legion Week: On June 26, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a Senate resolution honoring The American Legion’s 100th anniversary of serving veterans, their families and communities. “American Legion Week” will be held August 23 – 29 to coincide with the Legions 100^th Anniversary Convention in its home city of Indianapolis.

Legion Act: A bill expanding membership eligibility for The American Legion passed on June 11 by unanimous consent in the Senate. Because The American Legion’s membership periods are congressionally chartered, the organization is prevented from expanding membership eligibility without an act of Congress. The act expands membership eligibility to honorably discharged veterans who have served in unrecognized times of war since World War II. Please contact your Congressman and urge them to support passage of the Legion Act.

Legion Year: July 1, 2019 is the start of the new legion year and with that the dues are due.  The easiest way that I have found to renew my membership is by logging onto www.legion.org and click the renew tab at the top of the page, fill in your legion ID# and your Last Name and hit continue, fill out all the required information and how you want to make payment and you can print out a temporary card and the Adjutant will mail you your permanent card. Why don’t you go to the web site and complete your renewal now?

100^th Anniversary Picnic: Don’t forget the 100^th Anniversary picnic on Saturday, July 6^th from 12 Noon till 17:00.

Home Association News: 

• The Legion will be closed on Thursday, July 4^th in celebration of Independence Day.
• The kitchen will be closed for lunch on Friday, July 5^th and will re-open for dinner at 17:00.
• The bar will be closed during the family picnic on Saturday, July 6^th and will open at 17:00 along with the kitchen.

If you know of  any Legionnaire who is sick, in distress, or recently passed away, please contact Chaplain Vince Menegus at: jmenegus@rcn.com, or call 610 252-6196 and provide their address or family contact and address. Our Post Chaplain will send a get well or sympathy Card on behalf of Post 9. 

DD-214s are online NOW! The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) provided the following websites for Veterans to gain access to their DD-214s online: 

http://vetrecs.archives.gov/ or http://vetrecs.archives.gov/veterans/military--service-records/

This may particularly helpful when a Veteran needs a copy of their DD-214 for employment purposes.

Military veterans and next of kin of deceased former military member may now use the new online military personnel records system to request documents. Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the standard from 180, which can be downloaded from the website.

Because the requester will be asked to supply all the information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally occur when further information is required will be minimized. The new web-based application eliminates the records center mailroom and reduces processing time. Please pass this information on to Veterans and their dependents you may know.

To report the death of a Navy retiree, contact the DFAS at: 800-321-1080. Please have the decedent’s Social Securty Number (SSN) and the date of death.

 The VA is moving forward with paperless electronic claims system. Post #9 will offer computer asssitance in filing claims for those members who do not have a computer, or are not familiar with computer operation. Contact our Service Officer.

VA has added 47 vessels to its list of Navy and Coast Guard ships whose crews may have been exposed to the defoliant Agent Orange. Agent Orange: Alphabetized Ships List

If you would like notes of interest posted in future newsletters please email your notes to Al Lesher at arl4004@rcn.com 

• Social Quarters: Thank you goes out to all members of the Legion Famly who cam out Sataurday and replaced the Ceiling tiles.

• Entrance: The floor has been replaced and walls received a fresh coat of paint.

• Banquet Rooms: Storage Closets are being constructed at each end of the Hall. Thank you to Ron Gercie for the many hours spent running the electricity with me to the new closets.