Newsletter Dec 2011
Commander’s Corner
On behalf of American Legion Post 1080, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I extend the gratitude of Post 1080 to Auxiliary President Sue Bustin, Jr. Vice Commander Bob Sleyko and all volunteers for the successful and delightful Children’s Christmas Party.
Our Post is making positive strides with the updating of our website. It will be user friendly and very informative.
With the turn of events concerning Iraq, remember to welcome home all of our returning veterans. Please do whatever you can to assist a veteran. Remember our Troops serving all over the world protecting our freedom and keep them in your prayers.
May God Bless our veterans, our troops and Post 1080.
Andy Hinch
Commander Post 1080
Senior Vice Commander
Welcome to 2012 and I hope you had a safe and prosperous 2011. The Post year end events were enjoyed by our members and I hope you were a participant. Veterans Day, the kids Christmas workshop, Army-Navy game day festivities were just a few. I am writing this article a few days before Christmas and I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and a safe and Joyous New Year.
I hope you enjoyed the warmer winter days and I finally completed polishing my snow blower. I hope it stays that way with more warmer weather.
Being the Membership Chairman, I must ask for your assistance. Post membership renewals are behind for 2012 and your renewal is needed so the Post can continue. Without you, the American Legion cannot continue to work for your continued benefits, which you earned during your service to your country. You and those now serving need the American Legion’s ongoing efforts to assure continued safeguarding of your benefits. PLEASE RENEW NOW IF YOU HAVE NOT YET RENEWED. Also, new members are equally important and you asking your veteran friends to join is appreciated.
I look forward to serving you in 2012 and I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming events as shown on the enclosed Calendar.
Proud to Serve Veterans
Gary Stieg
Senior Vice Commander
Junior Vice Commander
The kids Christmas Party went off without a hitch. That is due to a wonderful group of volunteers. Twenty people donated their time and did a fantastic job to make sure the children of Post 1080 had fun. Thanks to all who volunteered. Santa and Elmer the Elf said they always like to come to Post 1080 because the Children are so well behaved.
We are starting preparations for the Easter Party. PLEASE send in your registration forms so we have an accurate count of children and their ages.
We now have a website: www.al1080.org
Please check the website to see what activities and entertainment is coming up in our lounge. Our new gmail address is:
ALPOST1080@gmail.com
It is my pleasure to serve the American Legion Post 1080.
Junior Vice – Bob Sleyko
Business Committee
Hello All!
Wow, another year is coming to an end.
We have been busy here at our Post. We installed vinyl tile in both halls, and Gary and Mario painted both halls. They did a nice job for us.
Come out during your holiday running and take a break and have some good food from Ed, Pub Grub, and see how nice the halls look. So, remember to book with your Post for your hall rental needs.
Well, enough for now. God bless our great Service Personnel, our Post and all.
Ron Parks
Business Committee Chairman
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2011 Cruise Nite Report
The Post 1080 Cruise Nite crew had another successful summer cruise season. With classic car events very dependant on the weather, we had three slow months, two rainy and cool, one very hot. But the other three months were very nice and we had a very good attendance.
We managed to collect $400.00 from the generous contributions of the car people and Post members, mostly from the 50/50 drawing. The Cruise Nite committee decided to donate this years collection to the Abraham Lincoln statue fund that is to be erected at the National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.
Much thanks to all our family and friends for their assistance in the set up, tear down, and parking directions.
Post 1080 Cruise Nites started in May 2005 and has generated over $3,000.00 in direct fundraising money to the Post for a variety of worthy projects.
Regards,
Rick & Ron Parks
Service Officer
The Legion hosted a Christmas party for 230 members of the Artillery Company E, of the 33rd Battalion National Guard and their families on Dec. 10th. Everyone had a good time. The National Guard has been vital to the war effort. 80% of those serving from Illinois sent to the current wars have been from the National Guard.
Congress has passed the Veterans Opportunity Work Act for veterans 35 to 60 years old. It provides training for those out of work over 26 weeks.
Remember our veterans; they have the highest rate of suicide and homelessness in America. The time to make them feel welcome is now.
Post Service Officer, Tony Arellano
Chaplain
We need to always remember in prayer our Post as well as our men and women serving our country around the world. It’s something every one can do. Matthew Chapter 6 gives us instructions and guidelines concerning prayer. This is the Chapter where the “Lord’s Prayer” is found. First Thessalonians 5:17 reminds us to “pray without ceasing” which I believe means to continue and to be persistent in prayer. Psalm 66:19-20 assures us that God even hears the prayers for forgiveness from all sinners and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Prayer doesn’t cost us any money; just time well spent. And prayer works!!!!! Even as you read this, our soldiers, sailors, and air men and women serve to protect our rights and freedoms. Our first freedom mentioned in the 1st section of the Bill of Rights is the freedom for us to worship as we please. It’s what’s made America great. Our men and women serving in uniform need our prayers so let’s remember them especially in prayer during this holiday season.
Chaplain Buck Balsley
American Legion Riders
“The Legacy continues”. There isn’t time for seasons change around here. November and December were definitely an aspiring month for all. To recap, (not in any particular order), a group of us from the ALR Post 1080 were invited to the Lockport American Legion for their kick off meeting of forming an American Legion Riders. The Camaraderie is excellent there and they have definitely done their homework for starting a riders group. We spent a fast hour that evening conversing with them about our experiences and support. Good Luck to the future ALR Post 19, looking forward to working with them in the New Year. That same evening we returned to Post 1080 where Post Commander Andrew Hinch presented the ALR a plaque from the Illinois State Adjunct Terry Woodburn for our involvement in the Legacy Run. Thank you Mr. Hinch and all those that supported us for that event. The plaque was re-presented later that week to all of the ALR members at our annual Dinner/Meeting. The plaque will be mounted in the hallway of the post.
“The cold weather can’t stop the thunder”. Several of us riders rode our motorcycles to downtown Joliet for the annual Veterans day ceremony to join a very big crowd of proud veterans and supporters. Even though it was 34 degree that morning, it was a very warm atmosphere to be there. A big kickstand up to the Post 1080 band, what an excellent job.
“Christmas and Toys”. There were several Toy runs this year that our group attended in different areas. From the Marines toy run in Plainfield to the first annual Southland toy run in Rockdale. Let’s keep the support going. I think people are realizing that the motorcycle riders do have big hearts.
“Welcome Home”. On Dec. 17th, LCpl Matthew Muentnich USMC (who is a member of the Post 1080) returned from Afghanistan. While deployed, Matthew was injured twice. Members from the Post 1080 and the ALR were present for the welcome home parade and luncheon. The village of Shorewood presented Matt with a proclamation and also declared Dec. 17 as Matt Muentnich day. Thank you Matt for your Service.
“Let the words never end and the rides be plentiful”
Hope everyone has a great Christmas and Holiday Season!
We are your “American Legion Riders”, God Bless
Post Auxiliary President
It’s hard to believe its 2012. Where does the time go? The auxiliary has been busy the last several months. We had our first “Girls Night Out” at the post in October. We visited Sunny Hill veterans for Veteran’s Day and also many of our auxiliary members went to the court house on Veterans Day to honor our Veterans. The auxiliary supported the “Gift To Yanks” program with a $500 donation to help purchase Christmas gifts for our veterans in nursing homes throughout the area. Several auxiliary members helped deliver 84 of the gifts to our veterans at Sunny Hill, Rosewood, Emeritus at Joliet-Courtyard as well as several homebound. At our last auxiliary meeting, we voted to give generous donations to Operation Care Package as well as Phone Cards for Troops. We also remembered our less fortunate veterans and families and supported a food drive on their behalf as well as purchasing 10 wreaths for veterans graves through Wreaths Across America. It is because of the support of members of Post 1080, we are able to do what we do for our veterans and active military.
Thank you to everyone who purchased a potica (best ever! Sold 350), baked or sent in a donation for the bake sale or just came out and supported our events. It is greatly appreciated!
Post 1080 was turned into a “Winter Wonderland” for Kid’s Christmas Party. Bob and Jane Sleyko did a great job organizing the party along with all the volunteers who came out to help. Thank you to Santa (Jim Condon) and Elmer (Dave Lewis) who did a great job with the children. Santa even stayed and greeted the families of the Illinois National Guard who had a party at the post that evening.
The auxiliary, along with other members and friends of Post 1080, are again going to Illinois Veterans Home at Manteno on Sat. Feb. 4th at 1:30 and have a pie and ice cream social for the veterans there. Everyone has a great time and all are welcome to join us.
In closing, I wish all of the members of Post 1080 a healthy and happy 2012. May we continue to make Post 1080 the great post that it is.
Remember to keep our troops especially those returning home with “issues”, our homeless veterans and our veterans in hospitals and nursing homes in your thoughts and prayers.
Sue Bustin, Auxiliary President
Membership Chairman
At the present time, I am on my vacation in Virginia.
Our condolence goes out to the family of Marge Grayhack who recently passed away.
Happy holiday to one and all!
Betty Peterson,
Membership Chairman
Auxiliary Chaplain
A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson
Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
For just a moment, Lord, hold this time in our hearts. As we open presents, it is about mysteries and gratitude, unknowing and wrong sizes, snippets of ribbon and screams of delight. Help us to remember the immense love you have for each of us. With each gift that is opened, no matter how perfect or not, let us feel again the many ways you gift us each day, especially with your presence in our hearts and the presence of each other in our lives.
May God Bless all of us and let us be thankful for our many service men and women who have sacrificed their Christmases away from their families to defend our great Country.
Pamela Haynes-Lattina
Auxiliary Chaplain