COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

Dear Comrades,

By now I was hoping that we would be putting away our shovels, but no way. I still wish each of you a prosperous New Year. Several posts have not yet turned in their County dues. Nine posts have not paid their District dues, I hope this can be rectified immediately.

This years Commanders, Quartermasters and Presidents Annual Recognition Dinner is being planned and I will have a date for you in the next newsletter.

At this years dinner, we will be honoring our Commanders, Presidents and Quartermasters which we haven’t done in awhile. I hope for this reason we have a 100% turnout. I also would ask that each post consider taking at least a ½ page Ad in the program book. A table of eight would certainly be appreciated for this event.

Inspections will be concluded next month. We have the following schedule: January 4^th. Post # 307, January 7^th, Post # 1457, January 13^th Post # 6597, January 20^th Post # 6591, January 26^th Post # 6703. If there are any discrepancies, please call the County office, Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, between 9AM -12 PM, at 436-6130.

I have noticed that contact information for some posts are incorrect, including phone numbers, meeting places and meeting times. This makes staying in touch difficult. Please contact the County office with any changes in information.

I would like to mention the increase in those posts ordering Buddy Poppies. I hope the remaining posts will give serious consideration to ordering Buddy Poppies as well. There should be no problems for every post to distribute at least 500 Poppies, even if only amongst its members.

I would like to take this opportunity to inform all commanders of the things we take for granted. Within the next three years, things such as Community Service Programs and Buddy Poppy purchases will become mandatory in order to keep your post charter. Please consider discussing this at your meetings. I would be glad to discuss this further with you.

The next District meeting will be March 8, 2009 at Danforth Center in Rochester. Post Commanders from the Finger Lakes and Wayne County Councils have attended our meetings. I find it hard to give those in the local area or their delegate any excuse for not being in attendance. Please mark your calendars for March 8^th and try to attend.

Don Makely, Commander

TONY’S MESSAGE

Do you know about The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor?

Since 1932, 1.7 Million Purple Heart Medals have been awarded to America’s Service Men and Women wounded or lost in combat. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor preserves the compelling stories of their sacrifice. You can listen to the stories of the Veterans in their own words in the Halls Theaters. You can also browse through the electronic roll of honor, featuring the names of Purple Heart recipients. There are several special presentations such as a film on the origin and meaning of the final pose of George Washington’s Army at the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site, New Windsor, New York. This Hall of Honor is worth a visit.

Tony,

Community Activity Report

Monroe County Council seems to get better every year. We are very fortunate to have posts interested in the National Youth Programs. It seems that Fairport post # 8495 is the leader in that category for the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy Programs. Well, this year they had some competition, Webster post # 9483 came in second place in the Patriot’s Pen written Essay for the Department and Fairport came in second place in the Department for the Voice of Democracy’s Oral Contest. Again, this is an Honor for these posts and their Chairman, Allan Schiehtel in Webster and Mike Lucci of Fairport. There were 9 posts that participated in the Patriot’s Pen Contest and 5 posts for the Voice of Democracy. District and County Chairman, Peter Verzillo have Chaired these programs for the past few years and does a very good job of keeping the interest of the schools and judging part of the program in tact. Thanks Peter.