T. Nulty Post 471
The American Legion
25 Brown Avenue
Iselin, NJ 08830
732-634-9119
www.tnultypost471.org
POST SUMMER 2010 NEWSLETTER
COMMANDER’S MESSAGE – John P. Canova - I am honored and privileged to be your new Commander for the Legion Year 2010-2011. My goal for the New Year is a simple one; to revitalize our Post. Our Post has been in existence for over 50 years and has been recognized for the many Veteran Programs handled during this time. In particular our Blue Star Program has gained prominence throughout the State. It, along with our website, provides information to family members of Veterans currently on active duty. ( HYPERLINK "http://www.tnultypost471.org" www.tnultypost471.org).
I look forward to working with my Executive and T Board’s, Auxiliary President Diane Davie and her Officers and our Sons of the American Legion detachment to strengthen our many programs. However, in order to accomplish our many goals I will need the assistance of every member of the Post including our Auxiliary and Son of the Legion members.
How can you help? In July our new year starts so mail your dues in early. Take a raffle when we mail them out and try and sell an additional one. If you have e-mail on your computer ask to have your hard copy newsletter stopped and read the newsletter on line. E-mail the Post at (www.tnultypost471.org) and advise us to remove your name off the mailing list. This will help save on postage. Attend our twice-monthly meetings on the 1st and 3rd Friday at 8PM at the Post. You will be surprised at what can be learned at these meetings. Attend our Christmas Parties (Adult and Children’s) and other functions held at the Post during the year. The Post has a beautiful Lounge, why not drop by and enjoy it with a friend or family member. Consider bringing in one new Legion Member, Auxiliary Member or Sons-of-the Legion member. Remember dues raised go to run our many Veteran Programs. To the Legion, Auxiliary and Sons-of-the Legion Members who have supported this Post throughout the years and helped maintain our Post status as one of the largest in the State a big thank you to all. Congratulations, to Ron Davie on becoming a Vice Commander at the County Level. In conclusion, with everyone doing a small part I am sure we will revitalize our Post. If you have a skill and can donate your time and services the Post always has jobs needing to be done. Call or e-mail your name and number and advise how you can help. Lastly, members in the area you’re always welcome to come in during open hours to just see what’s going on or pick up some Veteran Information.
1st Vice Commander – Membership - John Hunt - On July 1, 2010, begins the new Legion year 2011. Dues renewal notices will be mailed out the end on June or beginning of July. Our Post dues remain at $30. Post membership totals 613 members of which 590 (93 %) have paid their dues - 23 members are still delinquent. Thanks to the active and paid up members, our many Post Veteran and Youth programs were continued. Thank you to all who attended the initiation and continuous year’s ceremony on April 16th. If you couldn't attend, your "Years" certificate will be mailed to you with your dues card. Sick Call: Please call the Post or have a family member call if you are in the hospital or ill. Post 471 has a number of crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, potties, etc, available for members use. Please contact the Post at 732-634-9119
2nd Vice Commander – Charles K. Paul II - GUESS WHAT? It would appear that the Buy-A-Brick Program has experienced somewhat of a rebirth at the Memorial Day Ceremonies. Many of the people that attended were impressed by the bricks that have been installed and wanted to know how they could have one. This program is open to anyone who would like to have one, not just Legion members. If you would care to have one or know some who might be interested, please contact me or the post. My number is 732-634-4174, my email is HYPERLINK "mailto:ckpaul2@comcast.net"ckpaul2@comcast.net. The order form is also on the Post’s website and available in the Post’s lounge. I am honored to have been nominated and elected to the position of second vice commander. Any suggestions forwarded to me, that you feel will help the Post, will be greatly appreciated and will be brought before the executive board for discussion. Please put your suggestions in writing and sign the paper. The Post needs positive ideas! I have already started to review last year’s children’s Christmas Party and soon will be making arrangements for this year’s. I have only been active for a short period of time and I would like to thank all Legionnaires’, the executive board and the past two commanders that I have been associated with, namely Ron Davie and Stanley Baum.
3rd Vice Commander – Frank Kemper – May was a busy month for color guards, post functions, and Memorial Day Services. On May 20th, Cub Scout Pack 148 cleaned up around the Post. On May 22nd, Color Guard and the Blue Star Family Support Group marched in the Avenel Day Parade, on May 26th; the Color Guard was at the Support the Troops rally at Woodbridge Plaza.
On May 28th, the Color Guard was at Iselin Middle School’s courtyard to honor veterans, on May 31st, the Color Guard participated at services at Ted Nulty’s gravesite and at the Memorial Day services at Post 471 honoring all veterans and our deceased members. On June 12th the Color Guard marched in the American Legion Convention Parade in Wildwood. On June 14th, our Cub Scout Pack 148 participated in Post 471’s Flag Day ceremonies. If you wish to show your pride in Post 471 one way is to join our active Color Guard! See me or sign up at the Post!
4TH Vice Commander – Ed McGrory – We look forward to 2010-2011; a new Commander, new challenges, and a new commitment to achieving the goals set by the American Legion, and the goals the new E-Board has set for itself. It is time for everyone to work together to keep this Post home and to make it even greater than it was.
Children and Youth - We began our year with the Dept. of NJ Coloring Contest and Safety Essay Contest. The Coloring Contest winners are: 1st Place-Krista Novoczynski, 2nd Place-Jelissa Lovett, 3rd Place-Vasu Patel, all of these are from Indiana Ave. School. The Safety Essay Contest Winners are: 1st Place-Gabriella Fantell, 2nd Place-Brianna Dowd, 3rd Place-Sofia Franco, all from Colonia Middle School. The winners of the Post 471 Coloring Contest and Safety Essay Contest were then entered in the Middlesex County Department Contest. Both Krista (coloring) and Gabriella (essay) also came in 1st Place in the County Contests, and were entered in the State Contest. Krista and Gabriella both came in 3rd Place in the NJ State contests and were honored at the State Convention in Wildwood!! We at Post 471 are very proud of these two youngsters, as should be all of Woodbridge!
The next contest was the Oratorical Contest. Once again, we explained the contest to the guidance counselors of Woodbridge, JFK, and Colonia High Schools. However, either none of the students or none of the teachers would take part.
This is followed by the American Legion Boys State Program. Post 471 chooses six 11th grade students from the 3 high schools and pays for their stay of 1 week at Rider University. During this week, they are placed in dorms which are broken down into municipalities and counties. They then learn how our form of government works. They run for offices and can become everything from sheriff, governor, or senator. Remember that just about every Post in New Jersey sends their delegates to Boys State. A prerequisite of going to Boys State is that the delegate’s grades must be B-B+ or better. Therefore, these delegates are in the top 5% of the students in New Jersey. This year’s delegates to Boys Stare are: Anthony Williams, Sagar Vira, and Sanket Chauhan from JFK HS; Arick Rebetje, Richard Ulrich, and Timothy Valente from Colonia HS; Alternate delegates are Dylan Gasser and Justin Gasser from Woodbridge HS. Our year ends when Post 471 chooses one student from Woodbridge HS and one from JFK HS to receive a $200 scholarship, a medallion, and a Certificate of Achievement. Adam Korner from JFK HS and Jorge Rivera from Woodbridge HS were this year’s winners. I have had the honor of being chairman of the Children & Youth Committee for 15 of 16 years. I have been privileged to follow these youngsters from 3rd grade through HS graduations. We in Woodbridge can be proud of our youth, as they are outstanding young people and grow up to be outstanding citizens!
CHAPLAIN’S REPORT – Mike Serak – Since our last Newsletter the following men have reported to Post Everlasting: John Otto Mayer; Eugene K. Nealy; John Jugan; Walter Samoil; Frank McNerney; and Albert Koleszar. We salute each and every one of them!
BLOOD DRIVE – Our second blood drive this year will take place at the Post Home on Aug. 17th, 2010 from 2PM to 8PM. Please call us to make a reservation; walk-ins are also welcome.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE – We had over 100 people attend our Memorial Day Service, and enjoyed the service very much! Thanks to caterer Jacky Coleman, the food was great. The weather cooperated and the families checked the Memorial Wall and the Memorial Bricks which were set in place by SAL member Keith Treich.
POPPY DRIVE – The poppy drive went very well, thanks to the members Post and Unit 471, and also the Post 471 Legion baseball team who all went out to the store fronts and street corners!!
SERVICE OFFICER’S REPORT – Ed Gorman – A reminder that the upcoming Veteran’s Forum will be held Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 10 AM until noon. Refreshments will be served from 9:30 to 10 AM. The forum is sponsored by the Middlesex County Veterans Advisory Council, the Woodbridge Veterans Alliance and Senator Joseph Vitale. Presenters and representatives from the Veteran’s Administration, the Deputy Commissioner of Veteran’s Affairs Office, and the New Jersey Home for Veterans at Menlo Park, the DAV, and others will be at this special event. There will also be representatives from the Middlesex County Department of Health and Human Services with displays of various programs available. There will also be information regarding Social Security assistance for young wounded veterans with disabilities as well as information on the G.I. Bill for veterans.
Once again, in mentioning the above, we want to remind you of the importance of making sure that your loved ones and in particular, your Power of Attorney or Executor of Estate know where your important documents and papers are-(i.e. medical papers, service discharge papers, personal wishes or living wills.) To all grandparents, and parents of current military personnel please impress upon your sons, daughters and grandchildren, the importance of making certain that any injuries or medical problems they incurred in the service are recorded. Even though they may feel that they do not need that information of medical records while they are young, it will be very important should they require it in the future.
Another important piece of information to impart to our young service members today is to take full advantage of the newly improved and updated G.I. bill that Congress has recently approved.
To all veterans of all wars and conflicts—the V.A. system is always updating and expanding its programs, availability and qualifying requirements for approval and participation in the system. If you have any questions in this regard, please contact me thru Post 471 at 732-634-9119. We are still working with and awaiting further word from DMAVA regarding their Outreach Program of presenting awards to qualified veterans for the New Jersey service medal. As soon as plans are firm, we will notify you of the time, place, etc. of where the program will take place.
HISTORIAN – Gene Bernhardt – “Summer time and the living is easy, but raising funds for Post 471’s charity work is not. This is why we are asking you, the members of Post 471, for your help once again. Soon we will be sending you 3 tickets for your Christmas 50/50. They will be $10.00 each. Please do all you can to sell the 3 tickets. As always, the proceeds will be used for Veteran Rehab Programs, Youth Programs and building maintenance. There will be 3 prizes—1st place – 30% of the proceeds; 2nd place – 15% of the proceeds; and 3rd place – 5% of the proceeds. Previous 1st place prizes have averaged over $2,000. The drawing will be held on December 3rd after the General Membership Meeting. You do not need to be present to win, and no one under the age of 18 years may participate. Also, don’t forget about your hall and lounge. Come in one night with your friends and have a cocktail or two; and if you are planning a large party, please consider renting the Post Hall. Everyone enjoy your summer; be safe and happy.
SERGEANT @ ARMS – Barry Strother – We continue to accept American flags which are no longer useful to be dropped off at the box in front of the Post. Also, Color Guard volunteers are needed to help us represent Post 471 at all functions we attend. Call 732-634-9119.
PAST COMMANDER – STANLY BAUM – I have really enjoyed being your Commander this past year! My many thanks to all for their help and support, like getting me “credits” when you did all the work! The officers of the Post know what they did to keep our activities going. Please come on down and enjoy your Post Home with your friends and families. Many thanks to Auxiliary President Diane Davie and all the ladies for all they do for the Post, the Poppy Drive and their other programs, their donations to help tide the Post over---we could not get along without you!! Yes, Legionnaires – the ladies do a lot for us but there are many wives, sisters, and daughters of the Veterans of Post 471 that do not belong the American Legion family. Let’s get together as a family – the Legion, the Auxiliary, and the SAL to make it a true Post Home as the sign says!
BUILDING CORPORATION – Ron Davie – Although we managed to keep expenses lower again this month, our net income for the hall and lounge was $294, some $362 less than in April. Our total loss for the year was lowered to $3036. The Building Corp. also paid $1049.75 for the monument plaques this year to help the Post! Banquet chair Ed Gorman has bookings for July/August including the Young Rembrandts art class which will help offset the loss of income of 2 key rentals (who take July/ August off) and the usual summer slump in the Lounge. I would like to thank those who served with me on the T- Board this year for their efforts-Well Done!!
Adjutants Report---Frank Biscay - Congratulations to new Commander John Canova and the entire E-Board and the Auxiliary Officers led by President Diane Davie who were installed by the County Officers on June 4th. Thanks also to Stan Baum for the completion of his fifth term as Commander. Let us also thank Ed Gorman for his many years of Post service as a member of the Trustee Board as he has stepped down after his long tenure as Trustee and Banquet manager. At the next T Board meeting a replacement will be appointed by the New Commander. Ed will continue as the Post's Service Officer aiding members in their quest for VA benefits.
UNIT 471 REPORT – President Diane Davie – Thanks to Madeline Murray for Unit 471 making goal, and to Susan McGrory and all of Unit 471 and Post 471 for a successful Poppy Drive, whose reports are below. May and June were busy for Unit 471 – our May 4th Town Hall Poppy Drive kick-off, May 22nd Avenel Day Parade with the Blue Star Families and Post Color Guard, Memorial Day Ceremony which was well attended, June 4th Installation, June 10th Wildwood Convention, and June 14th Flag Day ceremonies. Unit 471 is always looking for new members to help us in our veterans programs. There are several women whose husbands belong to the Post, but do not belong to our Unit 471. We could really use your help. Bring your husband to his meeting on the first Friday of the month and enjoy the coffee and cake after the meetings!
UNIT 471 MEMBERSHIP – Madeline Murray – Auxiliary Unit 471 made GOAL this year thanks to all the Auxiliary Members. We want to be a goal unit again in 2011, so please mail your dues to me as soon as you get your dues notice. I also want to introduce our 2 new active members Karen A. Neary and Janet L. Misak, who have been coming to meetings and our Post/Unit Installation Ceremony.
Unit 471 Poppy Drive – Susan McGrory – 1st Vice President - To all our volunteers - We thank you for the generous donation of your time and efforts in distributing the memorial poppies. To all those who made a donation - We thank you for the support you give our veterans. If you still wish to make a donation, it's not too late. Just mail it to the post noting to whom it is in memory of. Again, thank you for supporting our brave troops and the veterans who have sacrificed so much so we can live free in this great nation. God Bless America!
Donations were received in memory of the following:
Lt. Col. Kenneth Wells
Lt. Comm. Helen Serak
Arthur Graham (PC), husband
Ed Wishbow (PC)
Robert Schmidt (PC), husband
Joseph C. Krasnica, father
Donald A. Gunthner, Sr.
Henry T. Dombrowski
Michael Baraniak, husband
George D. Heath
Edward Wagner, husband
William Amelia, father
Angela Amelia, mother
Edward Billson
John Kimberlin, father/grandfather
Joseph A. Farrell
McNamara family
Robert N. Neary
Steve Misak
Fanny Fellows (my mini-mommy)
Gordon R. Neary (U.S. Army), husband
Harry Hautz
Frances Caliendo
Albert Ricca
Angelo Ferrara
E. Dudzeleski, U.S. Navy
G. Benko, U.S. Navy
R. Morgan, U.S. Air Force
R. Marsh, U.S. Navy
Russell A. Moyer
Arthur A. Nilsen
Joan Evers
Colleen
Aldo Georgeri
Tom, Mike, & Joy
Eugene Bernhardt, WWII
Valese family
Alice R. Kramer
Wayne Armstrong
Irene Winship, wife
Departed comrades
Edward J. Wintos, Jr.
Joseph C. Krasnica, husband
Patricia Armenti
Bernice Yoos
Mary Krystosiak (mother) & Susan
Rollen S. Desch, brother
Fred Greasheimer
Eva A. Canova, wife
Herb Gilmour
Stanley Luksa, U.S. Marines
George McMahon
Ignatios "Tony" Matelski
Ed Wishbow, husband
George Ralph Huneycutt, husband
Edward Lechleiter
Caroline Radler
Louis Angelo, brother
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
JULY 02 Post 471 mtg. - 8PM
04 Independence Day – God Bless America!!
16 Post mtg. - 8PM
26 Northern Caucus Mtg. 8PM – TBA
27 Post 471 Blue Star Family Support Group meeting – 7PM
28 County Mtg. Post 65 Metuchen – 8PM
AUG. 06 Post 471 mtg. – 8PM
16 Commander Baum, Unit President Diane Davie, Life Member Ron Davie will
be honored for their achievements. Price $10, Time 1-4PM
17 Blood Drive – Post 471 – T-Shirts awarded to donors – Time=2-8PM
20 Post 471 meeting 8:00pm
31 Blue Star Family Support Group Meeting - 7:00pm
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE LATELY TO SUPPORT YOUR POST 471????