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    12/13/09
            The Post Holiday Party was a cautious success.  We had RSVP's for almost 50 people and we
    had the food all cooked when the rain started.  The weather definitely played a factor in everyone's
    plans that day.  The icy rain froze on the all the roads creating havoc throughout the area.    33
    dedicated members and their families braved the weather to come down and enjoy the afternoon
    event.  We held off on serving the food for an extra hour to allow everyone who might be stuck on
    the road the extra time to get to the Post safely.  We thank everyone who came for making the party
    a relaxing and pleasant affair.  Check out our Photo Gallery page for pictures of the party.  Happy
    Holidays to All!

    11/12/09
            Cmdr Blish was sick and 1st Vice Cmdr Al Laughlin chaired the meeting.
            The meeting was preceded with a guest speaker, Ron Smilowitz, from Rose Hill Memorial
    Park in Putnam Valley.  Ron informed everyone that Rose Hill honors all honorably discharged
    veterans for their service with a FREE burial space.  He also pointed out that a spouse or family
    member could be included in the plans for the burial plot.  This offer could greatly reduce the total
    expense to the veteran's family as compared to what other cemeteries might charge.  Mr Smilowitz
    also spoke on the need for communication and planning within one's family regarding one's final
    wishes.  If no one knows what your wishes are then your final resting place will be according to
    their wishes.  Mr Smilowitz can be reached for more information at #914-962-2703.
            For the third meeting in a row the meeting began with the introduction of new members.  The
    Post welcomed Don Roberts, Gerry Knapp, and Jim Guerra with a round of applause.  We also
    welcomed Barry Bell back from his absence, good to see you back!
            Financial Officer John McQuillan reported that the front of the Post where we had paint
    peeling had been sand-blasted and repainted so we look good to passersby.  Great Job John!  
    Membership report was unavailable as Rich Calbo was away on Dept of NY business.
            Under New Business, Bill Lewis reported that the Lions Club had helped the Elks Club with a
    Pasta Fund-raiser at the Elks Club to keep them financially solvent.  Maybe we could get the same
    treatment?  We will follow up on this idea..
            Old Business - The Post Holiday Party is Sunday 12/13 from 1 pm to 3 pm.  It is free to
    members but we need RSVP's to prepare the correct amount of food.  The Yorktown Street Fair
    and Festival was a success for the town and the Post.  We sold  a load of hot dogs and burgers
    cooked right off our BBQ grill and sold some of the County chances which also benefit the Post as
    well.  Thank you to everyone who helped with set-up, cooking, and clean-up especially our usual
    crew... Pat & Al Laughlin, Sue & Ken Blish, John McQuillan, Bob Dagnino, Tom Brady.
            Our Food Pantry Collection last month was another success.  We collected 12 shopping carts of
    food and $675 in cash donations for the VA Montrose Food Pantry in just 4 hours  with a great team
    of 14 Legionnaires.  We even got a little photo and blurb in the Journal as well as the County
    Legionnaire.  The Veteran's Day Parade had a nice turn-out.  We had several tenured members
    show up to boost our numbers and we even were in the photos in the North County News.  You
    photogenic bunch you!
            We don't have a December General Membership meeting because of the Holiday Party, so we
    won't see everyone until January 14, 2010.  We have the Four Chaplain's Ceremony scheduled at
    the Post on Sunday, February 7th at 2 pm.  It is a short ceremony honoring the four Chaplains who
    gave their lives comforting hundreds on a sinking troopship in the North Atlantic during WWII.  
    Refreshments and coffee will be served.  Please join us for it.


    10/08/09
            For the second meeting in a row the meeting began with the introduction of a new Post
    member.  Joseph Larsen showed up, signed up and joined our ranks.  Cmdr Blish introduced him
    to everyone present and he received a warm round of applause.  Good to see you, Joe!
            Financial Officer John McQuillan reported that there had been some funds left over from a
    grant we had received from Sen Leibell's office about a year ago.  They allowed us to submit
    receipts from utility expenses from that time period to get reimbursed and use up the remaining
    money.  Every little bit helps as they say.
            Rich Calbo was at another meeting so there was no membership update.  The Grange Fair
    Opening Flag Ceremony had a good turnout.  1st Vice Commander Al Laughlin, Ted Foster, Cas
    Faughnan, Tom Brady, and Ralph Garcia represented the Post and looked sharp.  They managed
    to get the flag raised and get under cover when the skies opened up with a heavy downpour.  
    Great Job Guys!
            The Post's annual VA Montrose Food Pantry Collection was last Saturday(10/03) and we had
    another success with it.  We normally have 8 to 10 Legionnaires collect donations in front of the
    A&P in Shrub Oak and at the Triangle Center in Yorktown from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  This year 14
    members showed up to help out!  Thank you to  Cas Faughnan, Ralph Garcia, Anne Samoyla,
    Terry Deveau, Dave Moskowitz, Rich Calbo, Bill Lewis, Charlie Ludlum, Al Laughlin, Ed
    Augustine, Tom Brady, Patrick McDonough, George Hansen, and Bob Dagnino!  We collected 12
    shopping carts full of food and $674 in cash donations that ALL went straight to the VA Food
    Pantry for our brothers and sisters in need of food.  We were written up in the Journal Express
    edition and hopefully there will be an article in the County Legionnaire newsletter about it also.  
    We will be doing this again next year-- count on it!  We even discussed expanding the collection to
    include Turco's next year since we had extra manpower show up and help out this year.
            Next thing discussed was the upcoming 1st Annual Yorktown Street Fair & Festival on this
    Saturday 10/10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Our plan is to have the Post open for visitors to see and also
    have our BBQ grill up and running with burgers, hot dogs, sodas, coffee and stuff for sale to
    festival goers.  We need many volunteers to pull this off so don't hesitate to stop by and lend a
    hand.  Our hopes are to have people see our Post and inquire about joining us or maybe inquire
    about renting our Hall for their event.  Both situations would benefit the Post and the work that we
    do.
            Our October Pasta Dinner had been pushed back and became a tentative Veterans Day Pasta
    Dinner on Friday, 11/06.  We need to have twenty people paid to break even with this event and
    not lose money.  RSVP's are needed immediately!  Cost is $10 per person.  We will cancel this if
    there is insufficient response.
            The Department Commander's Dinner is Wednesday 12/09 at the Mt Kisco Post.  Cost is about
    $15 -20.  Hopefully its proximity and price will allow more of our members to attend.  The Past
    County Commander's Dinner/ Dance is Sunday 10/25 at the Westchester Manor and the price is $65
    per person.  The Post Holiday Party is on Sunday 12/13 at 1 p.m. and the cost is FREE to members
    and their guests.  We need RSVP's to plan this so let us know if you are coming.
            We are marching in the Shrub Oak Veteran's Day Parade on Sunday, 11/08 at 2 p.m.  We form
    up at Lakeland HS at 1:40 p.m. then march to the Hart Library for the ceremony there.  Join us and
    show pride in your military service.  Most communities do not have a Veterans Day Parade because
    their communities see no veterans turning out to participate in the parades.  Our Post is the only
    Veterans Organization that participates in this parade... Shame on us if we let it die.
            The Post is currently checking out prices on getting Post golf shirts made up to advertise the
    Post and make us more comfortable and identifiable when doing the food collection, parades, and
    other Post events.  Let us know if you would be interested in getting one.  We hope to keep the
    price at about $25 each.
            The next meeting is Thursday, November 12th at 7:30 p.m.  See you there.  



    9/10/09
            Cmdr Blish began the meeting by welcoming new Post member, Ed Augustine to the Post.  Ed
    was given a nice round of applause by everyone present.
            Our financial report was given by John McQuillan.  Interest in hall rentals seems to be picking
    up, but the reservations are slow to meet out.  We're not bringing in money to speak of yet.  John
    also reported that our sponsored Scout troop had donated and installed lighting for our flagpole
    and sign out front, and that they finished installation over the summer.  Members commented that
    the sign is lit up nicely and can be seen easily from each direction on Veterans Rd.  We also have a
    new sign at the corner of Commerce and Veterans Road to help advertise that we exist.  The old
    one was unreadable after years of weathering.
            Our membership report was next.  We have gotten off to a great start and have 81 members
    renewed during September already.  Everyone who renews before the December 31 deadline is put
    into a Post raffle and the winner gets next year's dues paid for by the Post.  Please renew now ,
    your voice counts in our Post and to the American Legion in Washington, DC.
            Veteran's Day Parade is on for November 8th at 2 PM at Lakeland HS.  In talking with the
    town officials we have found out that the budget has run out for public events.  There is only
    about $100 left in the budget for the Parade.  Since they don't see a lot of veterans there I guess
    that's where they figured they could cut funds and no one would care!  The Lion's Club or the Post
    are going to eat the cost for the hot dogs completely this year.
            Other Business included our need for Post bartenders.  We have lost one and we are going to
    burn out the other two without a group to rotate the duties.  We need volunteers with a couple of
    nights a month available from 4:30 to about 10 pm.  The business is not brisk, mostly beer and
    wine, so no experience is necessary.  We need to keep the bar open to allow people to come in and
    rent the hall for parties.  That income we need to survive.  Anyone interested please see an
    Executive Committee Member for details.
            We needed to get a couple of members to help out with the Post Color Guard.  Luckily George
    Hansen & Pat McDonough stepped up to volunteer.  Anyone else interested contact Al Laughlin
    through the website or the Post.  In close relation to this we asked for volunteers for the Grange
    Fair flag-raising ceremony the following day.  5 or 6 members present said they would attend and
    conduct the ceremony.
            We had sign-up sheets for volunteers for the VA Montrose Food Pantry Collection on 10/03
    from 9am to 1 pm.  This is our third year helping the pantry out and the vets that rely on it to
    survive.  All members are invited to help out, contribute, or stop over and say Hi.
            For the Yorktown Fair & Festival on 10/10 we are going to hold an 'Open House' with the hall
    open for visitors.  Tables for raffles, membership info, and burgers and hot dogs.  Of course we
    need people to do all of this and we need commitments before hand to organize this.  Please help
    out your Post with this event.  We will have a Post clean-up on the Saturday before(10/03) starting
    at 1:15 PM to spiff up the Post for our visitors.  We need help doing this also if you can spare an
    hour that day.
            Future schedule dates were discussed.  The October Pasta Dinner was moved to 11/06 or 11/07
    because we have too much going on in October.  Maybe we'll make it a Veteran's Dinner.  October
    meeting will be when we settle this point.  The Post Holiday Party will be 12/13 a Sunday at 1 PM.  
    Cost is FREE.
            Under Miscellaneous Business, Ted Foster reported that the Coast Guard Auxiliary is available
    to teach boat safety to Scouts and other civic groups.  The Post sent letters to Ken Brown and Best
    Plumbing Supply thanking them for all the help in our boiler replacement over the summer.  We
    have a 'Current Events' Board at the Post bar now.  Check in and see the straight scoop on what is
    going on.  We only just found out about a members' passing back in November.  Dennis Bell of
    Mahopac was lost to lung cancer and will be missed.  Keep his wife and two daughters in your
    thoughts and prayers.  Next meeting is 10/08... see you there.


    6/11/09
            The meeting began with the Financial Officer, John McQuillan reporting that we are still not
    getting party rentals of the hall which is draining us slowly financially.  Ted Foster reported that
    the grounds are going to updated by the Post's Scouts who are donating lights and installation
    which will light up our Post sign and flagpole.  Work will begin after the incessant rain stops.
            Rich Calbo reported that we surpassed our membership total from last year and with transfers
    in we have 130 paid members for 2009.  Commander Blish immediately congratulated Richie for all
    his hard work which has kept membership up to date and increasing.  Rich said he has the 2010
    membership cards already for the membership push starting in August.
            In the Sick Report we mentioned that Larry Iuso, Post member and DAV member had a fire in
    his home and he has relocated.  We will report more when we get it.
            The tentative 'Post Calendar' for next year has been put together.  We mentioned a few of the
    upcoming dates and events for people to remember.  Post Summer BBQ we are trying to have on
    Sunday August 9 at 3 PM, if no one RSVP's we will cancel it!  We can't spend the money and have
    no one come - we'll go broke!  The Grange Fair opens with us doing the flag raising ceremony on
    September 11 at 10:45 am, volunteers are needed to look good to the crowds!  Our annual Food
    Collection for the VA Montrose Food Pantry is on Saturday October 3 at 9 am at the two A & P's in
    Shrub Oak and Yorktown.  We always need volunteers, it is for a great cause - stop over to help or
    donate items.  The Veteran's Day Parade is November 8th at 2 PM in Shrub Oak.
            At the Westchester County Convention the Post received a 100% Membership Award.  With 24
    Posts in the County only 5 had 100% or more membership this year!  Thanks to Rich Calbo's hard
    work and your help renewing your memberships in a timely fashion... THANK YOU!
            Rod Leone mentioned that the Mahopac Post held a benefit for the USO and the USO sent a
    singing group to entertain at it.  We are looking into maybe teaming up with the VFW and doing
    the same.  Artie Bortz mentioned that some veterans are eligible for an increase in their Social
    Security income based on their dates of service.  Anyone who thinks they might qualify should
    check with the Social Security Office... it couldn't hurt.
            Commander Blish asked for the Executive Committee members to pay particular attention to
    the next item.  The Post boiler is leaking water and in need of repair.  Robison, our oil service
    company examined it and said it needs to be replaced.  They quoted $10,500 to do the job.  We
    contacted another company based on members recommendations.  Ken Brown Plumbing quoted
    $6,200 for the job because we are a non-profit veterans organization.  A Committee vote went with
    Ken Brown's offer and work will begin within two weeks.
            Dept of New York Master of Arms, Rich Calbo installed the Post Officers for the 2009 - 2010
    year.  Meeting adjourned and Post Business is likewise adjourned until September.  Have a Happy
    Summer!
            

    5/14/09
            Our guest speaker for the meeting was Lisa DeMartino, the District Veterans Representative
    from Congressman John Hall's office.  She settles individual case issues for veterans seeking
    benefits.  In 4 cases she has won over one million dollars in back benefits for veterans.  Lisa
    updated everyone on new legislation addressing Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD).  There is
    a bill working through the US Congress right now.  The PTSD Bill (HR952) has 77 co-sponsors so
    far and it is in sub-committee hearing testimony from veterans right now.  One WWII POW veteran
    from Mohegan Lake testified at the hearings.  The bill would not require veterans to prove a
    specific incident of combat stress (bombing/ shooting/ shelling) with witness statements and other
    documentation.  Under this new bill the veterans would qualify for PTSD benefits by proving that
    they were deployed in-theatre and a diagnosis of PTSD.
            If this bill passes Congress and becomes law all veterans are grand-fathered into it.  Any Viet
    Nam veteran with a diagnosis of PTSD who was denied benefits under the present 'you prove it
    happened' system would have to re-file a claim with the Veterans Administration for compensation
    under the new plan.  This new bill would make it simpler for veterans because they wouldn't have
    to track down witnesses to an incident years after the fact to prove it occurred to the V.A.
            Ms. DeMartino also stated that this bill would be expensive to the government if it passed and
    that ALL VETERANS should write their Senators and Members of Congress in Washington urging
    them to support the bill.
            Entertaining questions from the members present, Ms. DeMartino pointed out that homeless
    vets would have to file claims also.  Post members pointed out to her that without the VA Montrose
    facility, the bill would not be as much help to local veterans.  She pointed out that Congressman
    Hall has met at least two times with VA Secretary Shinseki regarding the Montrose facility.  In
    closing, Ms. DeMartino urged the Post members to call her if they know a veteran who is having
    problems with a VA benefits claim and to write their representatives in Washington to get them to
    support the bill.
            The meeting resumed with welcoming new faces in the audience.  Steve Smalley from Post
    1054 (Briarcliff Manor) was present to hear the guest speaker; Frank Gallela and James XXXXX
    stopped in  for it too.  Good to see you guys at the meeting.
            Rich Calbo, Membership Chairman, reports that  the Post did hit the 100% goal for the year.  
    Great Job Richie and to all of our members!  Other news in the County - Convention is Saturday
    June 6 at 12noon at Ossining post.  In the 2011/12 Legion membership year the National
    Commander of the American Legion will be Past Dept of New York Commander Feng A. Wong.
            Westchester County Veterans Appreciation Day is Sunday May 24 at Rye Playland.  Last year
    we served over 500 veterans.  There will be Fleet Week demonstrations there as well.  We need
    volunteers to cook food and serve it to the veterans.
            The Department of New York Convention is in July in Buffalo, NY.  Richie also mentioned
    that Legionnaires wanting to receive training to take on leadership posts in the American Legion
    are encouraged to attend the American Legion College.  The College will give you the training and
    information on all the Legion's programs and history.
            Memorial Day Parade update - the wreaths are on order.  Everything is in motion for next
    week's parade.  Our Past parade chairman stood and applauded 1st Vice Commander Al Laughlin
    and Patrick McDonough for seeing no one step forward to run this year's parade and stepping up
    to keep it from being cancelled.  Remember, 10:45 a.m. Monday May 25th in front of the Town hall
    to join us for the parade.
            Under Old Business - the Yorktown Elks are having Flag Day ceremonies on June 14th.  We
    have our next meeting on the night before and hope to arrange a group to support their ceremony.
            Poppy Fundraiser is Saturday May 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at both A&P Supermarkets in
    Yorktown and Shrub Oak.  Please try to help us with this fund-raiser.  After the Poppy event ends
    at 1 p.m. we will need help back at the Post decorating it and the DeVito gazebo for the Memorial
    Day Parade.  Help us with one or the other PLEASE!
            Cortlandt is having their Memorial Day ceremony on Friday May 22 at 1:30 p.m. at their Town
    Hall.  We are also thinking of a Post BBQ in August on a night of one of Yorktown's free concerts
    at the gazebo across the street.  More information to come.
            Next was the New Business which consisted of the Post's election of Officers for the 2009/2010
    year.  Commander Blish asked his present Officers if anyone wished to step down this year.  
    Reluctantly, all agreed to serve another year.  Ted Foster wished to step down as Post Adjutant, and
    Patrick McDonough was appointed to take over the post.  A motion was made for the Adjutant to
    cast a single vote to elect the slate of Officers.  Motion was seconded and approved by the majority
    present.  The slate of Officers were elected with no changes.  The Officers will be sworn in at the
    June 11 meeting.  Here are your Officers for the 2009/2010 term:
                                    Jacob 'Ken' Blish.......................Post Commander
                                         Al Laughlin................................1st Vice Commander
                       Charlie Ludlum.........................2nd Vice Commander                         
                       Dave Moskowitz.......................3rd Vice Commander
                       Terrence Deveau.......................Sergeant-at-Arms

The 50/50 was won by Commander Blish and he donated it back to the Post.