From the Commander

As we go into the New Year, another one of our objectives has been realized. Yes, we now have a History Book  in the Post. It has pictures and descriptions of our 14 year existence as Mooresville American Legion Post 103. Please take a look at this book when you visit the Post. Special thanks go out to Matt and Serena Crites for their hard work organizing the book along with Gary and Betty Pryor, John and Lettie Clayton and Jessie and Lousie Newkirk for providing the pictures and the history.

Don’t miss the annual Chili Cook-Off on January 8^th. Come enjoy the day. Cash prizes will be awarded.

Thanks to all of our members who attend the meetings. Last month we had a packed house at the regular legion meeting and we welcomed several new members with a challenge coin. Our Post only gets stronger with active membership. Please welcome our new members feel welcome when you see them around the Post.

Our Veteran’s Day Ceremony and Children’s Christmas programs were awesome and a special thank you goes out to all those who helped make those events a success. Tom and Sue Davis made Christmas special for a lot of kids. Thank you members, SAL, Ladies Auxillary and Legion Riders for all your hard work in all of our events. We are forever grateful for your continued support to our Post and our veterans. Be sure to check the calendar and website for upcoming events. Enjoy the holidays!

John Chamness,Commander   “Enter as a Stranger, Leave as a Friend”

Ladies Auxiliary

Thanks for a great 2011! We are currently working on the 7^th District President’s Challenge in which we have chosen to raise money for the new Veteran’s House on Cold Springs Road. Our annual Sweet Auction is Feb 11. Check the calendar and website for all updates.

I encourage everyone to attend our next meeting. Come learn about our current projects and our future plans.  Nominations are also near for the upcoming year’s officers. We encourage everyone to participate in the elections so they can be part of the decision process within the Post. As you just read from the Commander comments above, we are a very important part of the post and as we move into the New Year we must remember that we are here to support or Veterans and their families –and you all do it very well! Our officers are all volunteer positions and I am grateful for all of them giving of their time and energy to accomplish our goals. We are honored and humbled when our Veterans tell others that their Auxiliary is the finest in the State. Our team makes a difference in the lives of men and women who have fought for our freedoms and have suffered and died to protect us.

Also, remember that there is a pending amendment to our unit bylaws to raise our dues next year. We have been fortunate not to have raised our dues for a quite a while. I appreciate everyone’s commitment to move forward. As Always,

“Working For God and Country Supporting our Troops and our Veterans”

God Bless You All, and Happy New Year

Wilma Lee, ALA President Unit 103

Sons of American Legion

Open Sunday, January 8^th, we will hold a Chili Cook-off. Entrants should have their chili at the Post by 1:30pm, to allow for the Judging to begin at 2:00pm. The Prize payout for the Chili will be, 1^st place - $100., 2^nd place - $75., 3^rd place - $50., and 4^th place - $25.

Membership dues are to be paid by Dec 31, 2011. Please use the “new” envelopes to submit your dues payment. If you prefer to have your card mailed, please enclose $1.00 for shipping and processing along with your dues. Please fill out the envelope with your mailing address and email address. Also, contact J.J or David Lee if you need firewood. It sells $45 for a rick (you pick up), or $55 (delivered).

Congratulations to Emily Tucker, Monrovia, for her outstanding performance in the Oratorical Contest. Emily’s exceptional performance has advanced her to compete at the upcoming State competition.  And special thanks go to our very busy Honor Guard--Chris Johns, Allen Copeland and Jerry Westenhofer for their support and dedication in representing Post 103

John J.Mitchell, Commander, SAL

American Legion Riders

We should all be proud of all we accomplished this year: motorcycle escort for 2 steel beams from the World Trade Center, Patriot Flag day escort from the airport to the Mooresville post, and 4 funeral escorts including a Vietnam Era POW/MIA solder. We also hosted several rides to help stop teen violence, to help disabled children to improve social skills at the equestrian arena at Bradford Woods and to support other community worthwhile causes. Thanks to our officers Marty Skaggs, Ray Bower, Rick Davis, Michelle Blundell, Teresa Skaggs, Ron Wade, Roger Bradford and Red Rose as well as all of the membership for a great year.

Our 2012 officers include Roger Bradford, Rick Davis, Marty Skaggs, Julie John, Ruth Ann Bradford, Greg John, Sarah Rose, and Michelle Blundell.  We hope to have a banner year!

Remember Thursday nights are ALR nights so come and support our group and help raise money for our events.

Remember we ride for those who served, are still serving, and especially for those who fought for our freedoms and have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Mike Blundell, Director, ALR

Every Tuesday and Thursday Poker 6pm – 10pm Every Wednesday $1 Beer and .50 off on mixed drinks Every Thursday Bucket Beer 5 for $6   Every Friday Chicken Wings .50 each

UPCOMING EVENTS

January

·         2^th  –  6 PM Juniors Meeting

·         7^h –  7 PM ALR Sponsored Karaoke

·         8^th  - 1:30 PM Chili Cook-off and

7 PM Rod Little Music

·         9^th –  7 PM SAL Meeting

·         13^th - 5 PM Ladies Aux Food Night

·         14^th – 9AM ALR Breakfast

·         19^th  - 5 PM ALR Food Night

 6 PM ALR Meeting

·         20^th  - 5 PM Taco Night

 7 PM Karaoke

·         23^th – 7 PM Legionnaire’s Meeting

FEBRUARY

·         6^th  – 6 PM Juniors Meeting

·         8^th  - 5 PM Spaghetti Night

7 PM SAL Meeting

·         10^th – 6 PM Food Night Ladies Aux

·         11^th  - 9 AM ALR Breakfast

 3 PM SWEET AUCTION

·         12^th –  Open Sunday

·         16^th - 5 PM ALR Food Night

    6 PM ALR Meeting

·         17^th  - 5 PM Taco Night

 7 PM Karaoke

·         26^th – 1 PM Daytona Tailgate/Open Sun

·         27^th – 7 PM Legionnaire’s Meeting

From the Commander

Greetings from Post 103. 

 As we head in to the Holiday Season there are a few important events to mark on your calendars:

 Our Holiday dinners will be held on Members Only Sundays please check the calendar for dates and times

The New Year’s Eve “Party at the Post” will be December 31^st. There will be a band, snacks, and a champagne toast at midnight. Please make your reservations early. A signup sheet will be in the post starting December 1^st and we are limited to the building capacity of 160.

 The State Service Officer will be making his final visit of the year November 15^th. If you have a need to start or revisit VA benefits, please come to the post at 12 noon and bring your DD-214 and any other supporting paperwork you may wish to include.

 2012 dues are to paid by December 31^st, but if you could renew earlier so we could reach our goal of 100% it would be greatly appreciated.

 The last regular Legionnaire’s meeting will be held Monday November 28^th at 7pm. If you have not attended a meeting, I would encourage you to come to this meeting. We will be finalizing the funding for the Christmas activities as well as conduct normal business. A special segment of the meeting will introduce new members and first time attendees. This will include them receiving the American Legion Challenge Coin.

 There is a new incentive program from the state. Any Legionnaire who signs up a new member will receive $5 per each new member they sign up. A check will be  

sent to the recruiter after each conference. For each new member the recruiter signs up, the recruiter’s name will be put into a drawing to win either a PUFL membership or cash equivalent. The new members also get put into a drawing for a cash prize or free membership renewal. Both drawings will be determined at Department Convention 2012. 1 free membership renewal for every 250 new members signed up will be awarded. The award tags for both the recruiter and the new member are to be sent with each copy of a new member application and card. For more information go to www.INDLegion.org or contact Kenny Pridemore at 317-831-0288

If you haven’t visited our new website

please take time to do so and

give us your feedback.

www.mooresvilleamericanlegionpost103.org 

 Have a great Holiday Season and we will see you at the Post.

“Enter as a Stranger, Leave as a Friend”

John Chamness

Commander

Ladies Auxiliary

 Christmas will be here before we know it! We are making great strides and everyday is a learning experience for us all.

 Our Legion Rider Appreciation Day went very well. We raised over $600 for the new Veterans House. Thanks to all who helped out and attended. A special thanks to the SAL for all they did and anyone who had a hand in making the day special.

 The juniors have a few upcoming events. They will be having a food drive for the Church in Mission here in Mooresville. There will be drop off boxes at the post from November 7^th thru the 22^nd. 

 Please bring in any canned goods and non-perishable items. The poppy boys and girls will be distributing poppies the entire month of November in support of our Veterans. 100% of the monies donated goes to the Veterans in the Indiana Veterans home.

On November 12^th from 5 to 8 pm at the VFW in Mooresville we will be hosting a benefit auction for the family of Ronnie Durbin who passed away on 10/20/2011. We will be auctioning off baked goods, purses, and jewelry. Cash donations also accepted. If you have anything that you would like to donate please let me know.

 If you ever have any questions or concerns please feel free to call me anytime at 317-260-7181

“Working for God and Country

Supporting our Troops and our Veterans”

Wilma Lee

ALA President Unit 103

American Legion Riders

 We had 2 rides recently and both were a success. Kephart ride had 15 riders and the Chance ride had 68 riders. Chance Jackson even made the ride this year. This is the final meeting for nominations for next year’s officers. We will vote in November and take office in January.

“We your American Legion Riders, ride for God and country, the American Legion Family and allied Veterans everywhere. Protect those who protect us, Amen”

Marty Skaggs

Director ALR 

Sons of American Legion

 Just a reminder to everyone 2012 dues are to be paid by December 31^st. If you are not renewed by then you will not be served at the New Year’s Eve party. There is a $1 fee for your cards to be mailed or you may pick them up at the Legion. Mark your calendar for these events:

 We will be hosting the 7^th District meeting November 20^th. Lunch will be served at 1pm and the meeting will start at 2pm.

 We have firewood again this year. The cost is $45 a ric plus a delivery charge. If interested please contact Dave Lee @ 317-306-5757 or Dave Minardo, Jr. @ 317-431-4988.

 SAL Spaghetti dinners are on the second Wednesday of every month. Price is $5 for dinner and a salad.

“Proud possessors of a priceless heritage,

we male descendants of Veterans of the Great Wars, associate ourselves together as  

Sons of The American Legion”

John J Mitchell
Commander SAL 

Every Tuesday and Thursday

Poker 6pm – 10pm

Every Wednesday

$1 Beer and .50 off on mixed drinks

Every Thursday

Bucket Beer 5 for $6

Every Friday

Chicken Wings .50 

UPCOMING EVENTS

NOVEMBER

13th/ 2 PM Post Thanksgiving Dinner  

7^th/ 6 PM Juniors Meeting

14^th/ 7 PM SAL Meeting

15^th/ 12noon State Service Officer

17^th/ 7 PM ALR Meeting

 20^th/ 2 PM SAL 7th District meeting

21^st/ 7 PM Ladies Auxiliary Meeting

28^th/ 7 PM Legionnaire’s Meeting

DECEMBER

*No monthly meetings in December*

 3^rd/ 7 PM Karaoke with Jodi and Randy

 11^th/ Open Sunday 

18^th/ 2 PM Post Christmas Feast

 31^st/ New Year’s Eve Party

Old Dog’s Band 8pm – 1am

U. S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 821

46158

American Legion

Post 103

PO Box 821

Mooresville, IN 46158

(317) 834-1173

www.mooresvilleamericanlegionpost103.org

November & December

2011

Newsletter