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Commander’s Letter – January/February 2009
“Happy New Year to All”
As the Post begins another year of service to the community’s youth and veterans, I’d like
to take the opportunity to invite all to our Dinner Meetings on the second Monday of the month. We’re working on another
list of speakers that hopefully will appeal to your interests as members of the community, as well as speakers who will address
current military and Veteran’s issues.
I’d also strongly encourage you to attend Post Business Meetings
as often as you’re able, on the fourth Monday of the month. The more membership participation in the more mundane
aspects of Post operations decision-making, as well as the higher profile activities, the better and more effective organization
we become. There isn’t one of us who doesn’t want what is best for the long-term viability of the Post, although
sometimes we don’t always agree on what that is. We need you to be a part of the decision-making process.
Come
- get out of the house for a couple of hours on Mondays, see some members you may not have seen for awhile, and possibly meet
some new ones, and enjoy some stimulating discussion in the lower level after the meeting.
Plan to lend a hand
for Flag placement as we honor our predecessors during those most important of Holidays, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor
Day, 911 and Veterans Day. (we’ll list flag posting dates in a future newsletter). This can sometimes be a bit of a
headache for our Flag Master Dave Burgess, and I guarantee he’ll be most appreciative (as I) of your offer to help.
I can also guarantee you’ll come away from our National Holiday Ceremonies with a renewed sense of pride in your service
(as you should) as well as reverence for those having served before us. Additionally, as well as honoring our comrades-in-arms,
they are opportunities for affirming our presence and importance to tradition and the community.
The annual Ice
Carnival will be held on a Sunday in February at the Lake Forest College Ice Arena. This event is co-sponsored with
the Lake Forest Recreation Center. More info will be published later this month. We urge your attendance at this
fun event.
Our Annual Recognition Dinner gets larger every year. Don’t let another year go by without attending.
This Dinner, planned for honoring our Legionnaires for their service to the Post and local Veteran’s affairs over the
years is just a plain ol’ good time…. And you deserve it.
Lake Forest Day activities are crucial
to our capability to carry out the Legion Mission – supporting Veteran’s and Youth. Please don’t wait to
be asked to assist in any way you’re able, whether in planning, selling raffle tickets, set-up/tear-down, manning booths,
etc.
Finally, never miss an opportunity to recruit a new member (reminds me of the time I recruited Frank Butterfield
many years ago), if the situation presents. This dead horse has been beaten to death, revived, and beaten to death again,
so I won’t belabor the issue. And although it’s normally about recruiting for the Post proper, don’t forget
the Auxiliary. They are an important part of the organization as a whole, take up the slack in ways some of us aren’t
always aware, and we need to actively advertise their needs as well.
Encourage any prospective Legion/Auxiliary
members to take a look at our website – www.post264.org. Web sites have become almost a necessity in getting the word out regarding
an organization and what it does. We’ve worked hard at organizing this and presenting the “fun side” of
what we do, and we intend to find additional ways to keep current as well as prospective members informed. If you have
any questions regarding Post activities, please call me.
Although I now get to “drive the boat”,
I consider the “boat driver’s job” to be one of helping the Post’s staff “be all they can be”,
and I’ll be very grateful for your assistance in keeping me on course.
Very Respectfully,
Steve
King
Commander 2009
Jan/Feb Sick Call & Post Everlasting
This moment is sacred with the almost visible presence of those who have gone before. We come to honor the
memory of those who have offered life and service for God and Country who are now enrolled in the Great Spirit army whose
footfalls cause no sound. But in our memory their souls go marching on. Proudly we remember their service in the
war. Because Of them our lives are free, because of them our nation lives, because of them the world is blessed.
Let us not enshroud their memory with thoughts of sorrow. Tears and
words of sympathy cannot bring back the comfort of those loving hands or the music of voices stilled. The solemn pride
of that service is theirs, and for the living to remember.
POST EVERLASTING:
George Ardelean
WWII Army
Jim Parello
Viet NamArmy
Jim was a long time member of our Post serving in many positions.
He was the Post Commander. In 1998, several years later he supervised the building of the addition
to the Post including the elevator, entrance, office and the remodeling of our meeting room. He was at the
Post daily for eleven months giving it his very best generating the great improvement we use today.
May your Flag long wave!
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Sick Call:
Eunice Whitmore, a long time member of our Post, is presently at Westmoreland
recovering from an operation on her hip . Eunice served as a Nurse in the Army during WWII.
Her main job was to keep all of the Airmen in good health and flying high.
She is also a High Roller in our poker group and has cleaned the pockets of most of the players.
I know you will all join us in our best wishes to her for a speedy
recovery. We can’t wait till she returns to the table!
Bob Pommer, Chaplain
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Larry’s Corner
Well, the Holiday Season is over … I hope everyone had a great one.
Monday, December 1st was a Bingo night at the VA Hospital. We had
about 45 patients and 9 volunteers. A good time was had by all. The next Bingo bash will be on January 5th.
At the Veterans Assistance Commission Annual Holiday Luncheon, I was pleasantly
surprised to receive the PRESIDENT’S VOLUNTEER AWARD for the many hours I’ve put in over the years in helping
our Veterans. 20 other Awards were also presented to Volunteers for their outstanding efforts in this program.
Remember, volunteers are always welcome at the VA to help our Vets. The Library, Clothing Room or perhaps, just helping
the patients in wheelchairs get to their appointments are just a few jobs available. Won’t you please call me
if you can help in this most commendable program.
On Saturday, December 13th, 9 volunteers from McKinlock Post 264 went to
the VA Hospital to hand out “Canteen Books” to the patients. For some this was the first time at the VA
Hospital.
Keep in mind that the 10th District holds a Bingo Party the first Monday
of each month. It lasts about two hours. Again, please call me at 847.234.1462 if you can help.
Larry Crone
Service Officer
Rifle Squad/Color Guard
10th District Service Officer
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From Our Past Commander David Lee
Hi again. I’m back as Adjutant. I don’t have time to dig in
yet as I was up to my counters with the holiday sales at The Clockworks. I would, however, request that each and every one
of you send me an email so I can extract your email address for the post records. We need to move in the direction of electronic
communications and email is the current way to do so. If you haven’t sent in your dues yet, please do so now. I hope
you all had a happy holiday season. I look forward to seeing you in 2009.
David A. Lee - Adjutant
Just
Wondering…
Created Your Estate Plan Yet?
What
it will do…
· Eliminate timing problems and the forced liquidation of assets.
· Minimize estate taxes and administrative expenses.
· Pass a family business or assets to your heirs.
· Provide for distribution of estate assets appropriate to your legally docu mented wishes.
· Protect family assets from financial indiscretions, claims of creditors and property allocations
in divorce settlements.
· Should include a Living Will expressing your desires should you or your spouse become incapacitated.
As part of
your Estate Planning, consider a donation from your estate to McKinlock Post Foundation. Estate
taxes at the time of your death are a major concern. A donation to McKinlock Post Foundation, a
501(c)(3) organization, reduces your estate tax liability and provides a legacy to your community, state and nation.
Keep in mind
however that you do not have to wait to die to donate to the Foundation. Donating now or anytime to the
Foundation is always tax deductible and allows you to experience the satisfaction of donati ng to a worthy organization established
to further Legion goals of citizenship and support of veterans.
If you have
questions about an Estate Plan, you should consult an attorney. If you have questions about the McKinlock
Post Foundation, contact David Nash, 847-644-1610.
For Your Convenience
You May Make Your Donation By Check Or Credit Card
Please Make
Your Check Payable To: The McKinlock Post Foundation
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