COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

              Richard Gross

Please Note-Meeting Change !!!

Due to Election Day-County Council Meeting will be held Tuesday, November 13, 2007

We regret that the change of date will conflict with two of our active posts, 5465 and 6597.

Our Council meetings have been well attended by half of our posts in the County. If your post is in the other half, plan on attending soon. We want and need your input. Remember, this letter goes out only to post commanders, so, if you can’t attend, inform your Jr. Vice, Sr. Vice or delegates.

November is a big month for veterans. On November 3^rd at 4:00 PM at Sunset Lanes in Chili, the Joint Bowling Council of Rochester will host a Tournament to raise money for Disabled Area Veterans. The money will be sent to VA Hospitals, Bath and Canandaigua. For more information, call Bill Fortino at 585-427-2750.

 City of Rochester Elementary School #36 has long been active in Honoring Veterans under the guidance of school teacher, Al Smith. The school is inviting all veterans to their program, “Salute to Veterans” on November 7, 2007, 6PM -7PM. School #36 is at the corner of Carter Street and St. Jacobs Street. Let’s show these students our appreciation by attending. Wear your VFW cap.

 Veterans Day is Sunday, November 11^th. As in the past, the County American Legion has invited us to take part in their ceremonies. At 9:30 AM at the War Memorial Bldg., a Veterans Memorial Service will be conducted. This will be followed by refreshments, coffee and doughnuts, provided by the American Legion Auxiliary. At 11:00 AM, the wreath laying ceremonies will begin. Again, I have been given the privilege of calling on all veterans organizations to place a wreath on the Symbolic Veterans Grave. Please attend and wear your VFW cap.

 The American Legion Veterans Day Luncheon will follow at The Clarion Riverside Hotel,  social hour is 12:30- 1:30. Luncheon at 1:30 PM. Mayor Robert Duffy will be the Speaker. For Dinner Reservations call American Legion Office at 461-5880.

 On November 12^th, 2007, we will be at St. Ann’s Community Center to celebrate Veterans Day with their veterans at 11:30 AM. At the same time, post 16 will help dedicate a new flag for the flag pole at Baywinde Senior Campus, 100 Kidd Castle Way, Webster, NY. (off Bay Road across from Wegmans.)

 On November 9^th, The New Horizons Dance Band, a 31 piece adult Big band sponsored by the Eastman Community Music School will present an evening of music and dancing for you and your family. This is open to all veterans. The event will be from 7:00 -9:30 PM, at the First Unitarian Church, 220 Winton Road South in Rochester. The Church is located one block south of East Avenue, and there is plenty of parking.

 There will be VFW Day at Finger Lakes Race Track in Farmington, NY on Saturday, November 10^th, 2007. Opening Ceremonies is at 12 noon.  If you or your Color Guard wishes to participate, be there at 11:15 AM.

 See you at the meeting.

 DON’T FORGET THE DATE CHANGE

 Commander     Richard Gross

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

 Dear Sisters;

 Our Fall Conference is over! It was a great pleasure to meet our National President, Virginia Carman. She is such a charming lady. There was a bus that went to Saratoga National Cemetery for a dedication that we presented. It rained real hard but it was a very nice program.

There were so many Poppy Xmas balls! They were beautifully set up on 4 tables. The Poppy Chairman was so pleased. She did wonderful on the raffle.

The Community Service Chairman had many baskets on her tables and made out real well too.

I hope every Auxiliary has sent in their “Donation Report Form” so they can get credit.

Everyone please get out and vote on November 6^th, 2007.

Remember our departed veterans on November 11 and pray for our veterans who are now serving us.

There will be no meeting in November. The meeting for December will be on the 4^th at 1:00 PM at ht Danforth Community Center, 200 West Avenue, Rochester, New York.

 Loyally, 

 Grace Pulver

TONY’S REPORT

Hallmark Cards of Kansas City, Mo., contributed more than 2.5 million “song cards” for troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Recognized Sept. 25, the donation was made to the VFW Foundation for distribution through VFW’s “Adopt –a –Unit program. Distribution of the cards to VFW’s Departments varied, some receiving as many as 100,000. This in-kind contribution is valued at more than $12.5 million.

Hallmark has long been known for its patriotic cards. In 2004, it introduced a line of cards called “America’s Heroes” so such cards would be available year round