THOMAS F. WELCH

VETERANS of FOREIGN WARS

POST 706

COMMANDER’S CORNER

My apologies for not mailing the last two months newsletters. Hope this newsletter finds you all in good spirits and good health.

I received a letter of resignation from our Chaplain, Benny Casalina. Benny has been receiving chemo and radiation treatments and stated he can no longer participate. He sends his regrets and wishes us fair seas and following winds. Thank you Benny for your service to our Country and to the VFW!

I would like to introduce our newest members elected to our Post in January and February: Charles D. Stilwell, Army; William J Slayman, Jr, Life Transfer; Brandon R. Miller, Navy Transfer; Larry D. Atwood, Navy; Gregory Burkhardt, Navy; Kevin R. Burris, USAF; Harold Eaton, USN; Louis J. Lucas II, Navy; and John M. McIntyre, Army. A big VFW welcome to our newest comrades.

This is the month when we begin nominations for Post officers for the coming year. The election takes place in May; nominations in March, April, and May. If you want to make a difference, now is the time to step up to the plate and get involved. If you are interested in assuming one of the elected positions and are not able to attend the meeting, you must submit a letter stating your acceptance of the nomination for that position. Installation of Officers takes place during the June meeting; the Commander takes the reins immediately following the installation of the State Commander after the State Convention in Orlando on 20 June 2010.

Mailing your 2010 dues to National can lead to delays in getting them posted. You can now go online to www.vfw.org and pay your dues. On the main screen, click on Membership; then click on Current Members; then click on Secure Log In; fill in the required blanks and you can pay your annual dues electronically. Easier method is to send your dues directly to us, and let us do it. Takes a matter of minutes from the time your dues are received at the Post to get your dues paid at National. New ID cards are mailed within 5 – 10 working days. If you send them directly to National, it could take 6 weeks or more.

I am still searching for someone to take over the House Committee Chairman position. If you have an interest and want to make things happen to improve the functions at the Post; how about meeting with me to discuss your interests. I am all ears!

Bingo has changed! We play a couple new games; one is a winner take all game held nightly just before the BIG GAME. This game has a minimum prize of 50% of the amount collected for that game. Bingo in the predetermined number or less and win the whole pot. If no one Bingos in the required number, the pot grows! Last week the winner’s take was $59. Our BIG GAME is up to 54 numbers the first week in March and goes up one number every week until someone wins.

I repeatedly ask for your input on how to make the Post better; what you want to see happen, or what changes you would like to see. I can guarantee you nothing will change without your support. If you want to see change, you MUST come to the meetings and voice your Opinion(s). If you say nothing will change and stay away, guess what? Nothing will change. If you want to see change, get your comrades who support those changes to come to the Post and make that difference or send an email to me at vfwpost706@gmail.com.

Visit the Post website for updated information and activity calendars of the new VFW fiscal year, 2010. Log on to www.vfw706.org.

Richard Mullen

Commander

SENIOR VICE’S CORNER

Please pass this information to all veterans that you may know that were and are affected by the recent war time “STOP LOSS” orders to remain on active duty after their enlistment contracts expired or past due their approved retirement date. These veterans are entitled to a retroactive special payment of $500.00 for each extra month they served. The “STOP-LOSS” payments are intended to thank these veterans for their mandated extra service. The catch is that to receive this “STOP-LOSS” payment the veteran must apply for it before the cutoff date of October 21, 2010.

Information for filing “STOP-LOSS” retroactive claims can be found at these web sites or by e-mailing to these:

Victor Looney

Sr. Vice Commander

ADJUTANT’S CORNER

MEMBERS IN NEED:

Comrade Doc Cloud is receiving treatment for prostate cancer. He is in good spirits and always looks at the brighter side of things.

Sister Gail Sargent remains in the extended care facility on Pine Forest Road after a fall at home. Stop by and see her when you pass by.

Comrade Skip Bennett’s wife, Roni, continues with her chemo and radiation treatments at Baptist Hospital. Come support the event this Saturday, 6 February starting at 1800.

Please keep these Comrades and Sisters in your thoughts and prayers.

If you have knowledge of a comrade in distress or the passing of a Post 706 member or affiliate member contact the Post at (850)455-0026. We should send our encouragements to those in need as soon as we learn of their situation or loss.

 

Tony Carroll, Adjutant

COOTIES CORNER

From the Seam Squirrel PT 66

Listen Comrades, Cooties, Ladies, et al, 

It is so amazing that one month can slip by so rapidly.  Where does the time go?  Hopefully, some of your time is spent doing work with the VFW and/or the various auxiliaries.

The first Saturday in February (6th) will signal the resumption of the monthly Cootie steak night at 1800 hours (6 PM).  If you would take the time to let the bartender know how many and how done you wish yours cooked, it will help a lot with planning.

All Cooties are reminded that the February Scratch will be at 1101 hours (11:01 AM) on the 13th.  Nominations will be held for the officers for the ensuing year, so if you cannot be present, but wish to accept an office within the PT, please advise the SS, in writing, prior to the opening of the scratch.

The MOC and MOCA will do our best to "Keep 'Em Smilin' in Beds of White" in 2010.

Yours in L.O.T.C.S.

Oscar C. Bergman

SS PT 66

LADIES AUXILIARY

Hello Sisters, Thank you all for your support and working so well together to make our last dinner so successful. We are having our District Meeting here on February 6th at 10 AM. Please attend this meeting and welcome our new District President Brenda Lambrecht.

Our next dinner is on February 13th. We will be serving spaghetti w/meatballs plus all the fixins, so come out and join us. I also want to discuss, in our next meeting coming up on the 17th, making arrangements to do a Draw-Down before the end of May. I would like all our members to take part in this to help it be a success. We have to work hard on upcoming events to help raise money for our Charter.

I would also like to take this time to mention our deepest sympathy on the passing of one of our long time members Mildred (Millie) Kuryllo, Teresa's mother, otherwise (Tick) to most of her friends, and Theresa's mother otherwise known as (T-Bird) to her friends, Mary Lou Hall. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both. 

When you think negative we give off negative when you think positive good things happen....

CeeCee Goodwin

Madam President

MEN’S AUXILIARY

Thanks for your support for last month’s dinner.  Because you care, you made a big show of support.

Our next meeting will be held on the 11 February at 6:00 PM. 

We will be having 'Ribs and Chicken' for dinner on the 27 February starting at 1800.  Come early, eat lots!

Thank you for your patronage and continued support.  GOD BLESS!!!

 
John Forte, President

VFW RIDERS CORNER

Comrades,

Our monthly meeting is always the first Thursday of the month at 1800. So all you Riders make sure you are there. We had a very successful benefit dinner and dance for Skip and Roni Bennett. We could not have done it without the support of our membership and friends. Thank you, everyone.

We are going to support two rides coming up in March and May. Make a Wish ride will be in March and the Save a Baby ride will happen in May. A stop at the Post is scheduled.

Joe Spink, President

VFW Riders

POST CANTEEN CORNER

Hello my Canteen friends and family.

We have a lot to talk about on upcoming events. First, I want to thank all of you who came out to see "ELVIS." He was terrific and put on a heck of a show. We had a great turn out thanks to all of you. Elvis will be coming back in March so make sure you look for the date and time and mark it on your Calendar.

We are having a Birthday Party on the 6th with Jerry LaBerge performing from 7 to 11. Come join us to sing Happy Birthday to all or Birthday members.

Don't forget Super Bowl Sunday 7 Feb. We will be serving boiled shrimp, raw oysters and baked hot wings plus much more for only $8.00. We also will have happy hour prices and give-a-ways.

On the 11th we will have Mardi Gras night, Karaoke style. Put on your purple, green and gold and come party with us.

On the 13th Valentines Party with Tomato and Daddy Man performing on stage from 7 to 11 so come dance the night away with your Sweetheart.

The 20th we will have the Battle of the DJs, salsa style. A night you don't want to miss - from 8 till??

All are invited to come out on Thursday, 25 February, to help mourn John Forte's "50th" Birthday Party. We will be in Black so how about you.

"Durango" is coming back Saturday, 27 February; another night to come out and Boogie! So get on your dancing shoes and leave them on for the entire month, ‘cause you are going to need ‘em. Thank you again for all your support. We need all of you to make this work.

CeeCee Goodwin Canteen Manager

AMERICANISM

MEMBERS WANTED!

"I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity."

General Dwight D. Eisenhower

We have another Flag Disposal Drop Box located at Sham Poochies, 2106 Creighton Rd. Know anyone who has an old, deteriated Flag? Remind them of the locations of our drop boxes for proper disposal of those Ragged Old Flags.

Ebbie Jermyn

Americanism Chairman

GOOD OF THE ORDER
 

~ BINGO ~ THE BIG GAME!

The BIG GAME is a proven success. We are going into week five and the $250 jackpot can be yours if you Bingo in 54 numbers or less.

On top of that, the game immediately preceding the BIG GAME is a bingo in as few as four numbers or less. The last winner won $59 and did it in four numbers. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? We are up to a Bingo in 7 numbers or less and the pot is growing.

SUPPORT YOUR POST
 

We had an exciting February. Our numbers keep improving in attendance at the Post meetings and for all of our events. Even though things are getting better, we still need your involvement. Don’t leave everything to be done by a few. There is no “I” in TEAM….heard that one before….and it takes a concerted effort on everyone’s part to be successful. You are the keys to success, and we aim to be the best in our District.

We have close to 700 members; 600 or so never come by the “V”. Call your friends. Come by the Post. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or issues you want to affect, don’t be afraid to speak up and take a stand. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! WE NEED YOUR IDEAS! But most of all WE NEED YOU!!!

Richard Mullen, Commander

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