Yorktown e-Legion Yorktown American Legion Post #1009 Volume No. 1 Issue No. 2 November/ December 2007 Post #1009 Helps Montrose VA Food Pantry
day on Saturday, October 27, 2007. Some Legionnaires from Post #1009 won’t soon forget how beautiful a day it turned out to be despite the weather! On that day eight Legionnaires set out to collect donations of non- perishable food items for the Food Pantry at the Montrose VA Hospital. Radio station WLNA 1420 AM/ WBNR 1260 AM co-sponsored the event and advertised it on their radio stations for the day. Our tables were set up outside the Yorktown A&P Supermarket and the A&P Supermarket in Shrub Oak with the hope of collecting an item or two from many of the customers braving the foul weather that day. The people of Yorktown opened their hearts and brightened the day with their generosity. Some people walked out with an item or two to donate, but some walked up with full shopping bags and just handed all of it over as a donation. Many offered a heartfelt thank you to us for collecting for such a worthy cause. One young gentleman exited the store and walked up with his shopping cart about half full. Post Commander Ken Blish smiled and waited for the man to select an item from his cart to give as a donation. The man responded by pushing his cart closer and saying, “It’s all for you! My Dad was in World War II and returned home just fine. Whatever you guys need. You got it!” Then he walked off smiling as 3 Legionnaires stared at the cart in astonishment. Time and again the warmth of people’s generosity brightened the day. Some people came out of the stores and realized that they had forgotten to purchase an item to donate. They could have walked off easily, but some walked over to the tables and donated a few dollars cash to the Pantry. This was the first time Post #1009 had conducted a collection for the Montrose VA Food Pantry, but we definitely will make this an annual Post event from now on. We wish to thank Radio Station WLNA 1420 AM/ WBNR 1260 AM and especially Don Bennett for all of their help. Thanks to Post members Bob Dagnino and Pat McDonough for putting the event together. Special thanks go out to the members who gave up a Saturday morning to stand in the rain for a worthy cause; Bob Dagnino, Ken Blish, Charlie Ludlum, Dave Moscowitz, Bob Gorsuch, Al Laughlin, Bill Lewis, and Patrick McDonough. Veteran’s Day Parade The Veterans Day Parade in Shrub Oak was another successful one this year. State Legislator Greg Ball recognized our own Bill Lewis, who has organized and run the parade for the last seven years, for his huge contribution to the parade with a plaque during the ceremonies at the Hart Library. The parade was taken over this year by a committee of local people to continue Bill’s legacy. This year’s parade included a couple of Civil War re-enactors, some Classic Autos, and Vintage Military Jeeps towing inert weapons. The crowds along the parade route seemed to enjoy the new displays. Post #1009 had former Yorktown Supervisor Linda Cooper march with us as thanks for her help and loyalty to the Post during her tenure as Supervisor. We thank those 14 Legionnaires, who marched with us in the parade, and hope to see them and more of you march with us in May for the Memorial Day Parade. Don’t Forget! Post #1009 Christmas Party is December 9th at 1 PM We would like to encourage you all to attend and meet your fellow veterans. In order to properly prepare we need to know how many will be attending as soon as possible. Please RSVP immediately to Post Commander Ken Blish through our e-mail; post1009@nylegion1009.org. Tips For Vets of Enduring Freedom/ Iraqi Freedom Applying for VA Benefits One of the more difficult tasks for returning veterans is applying for the many VA benefits. The unknown of “should I,” “would I qualify,” “how do I apply,” or “where do I go for help” can be a frustrating experience. The VA intends to ease those frustrations and facilitate the transition from active service in armed conflict back to civilian life with some basic tips for applying for benefits. Answers to many of these questions can be found at www.seamlesstransition.va.gov/tips.asp We will include this on our Post’s Website for future reference for all veterans to utilize. Toys For Tots Holiday Toy Drive On November 23rd, 2007, The United States Marine Corps begins its Annual ‘Toys For Tots’ collection at the Jefferson Valley Mall. This year, like so many past holiday seasons, the ‘Toys For Tots’ collection table will be manned by our own Bill Lewis. When asked what hours this motivated veteran would be there, Bill replied… “Every day from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve from 10 AM until 9 PM”. This is a huge commitment that Bill makes every year to help underprivileged children have a better Christmas than they normally would have. Last year our 1st Vice Commander Al Laughlin gave up some of his free time to help give Bill a hand at the collection table. It would be great this year if we could have a platoon of helpers come forward to give up a few hours to sit at the table each day to allow Bill to get some time to himself for eating and personal time. If you can donate several hours for one day, or for a couple of days, during this holiday season please contact Bill Lewis through the Post #1009 Website at post1009@nylegion1009.org or call 914-953-6807. This is a worthwhile cause that only requires a small donation of your time. We hope to see you there. Our Meeting Room is Available for Parties or Special Events Our Yorktown American Legion Post #1009 meeting room is available for rent for meetings, events, or special occasions. The room is shown on our Website at www.nylegion.org. Please call the Post at 914-962- 2843 for more information or to make From The Post #1009 Commander: On behalf of the Post’s Executive Committee and myself, we want to wish all members of our Armed Forces, their families, and loved ones a happy and safe holiday season. To our Post #1009 members and their families, and all Veterans and Legionnaires, we wish you all the best this holiday season. |
| Post #1009 Upcoming Events Tuesday December 4 Executive Board Meeting 7 PM Sunday December 9 Post Business Mtg. & Christmas Party 1 PM Wednesday December 19 Patient Holiday Party, Montrose VA Hosp, 7 PM Tuesday January 8 Executive Board Meeting 7 PM Thursday January 10 Post Business Meeting 7:30 PM Yorktown Post #1009 235 Veterans Road Yorktown Hts, NY 10598 914) 962-2843 www.nylegion1009.org |