Monthly Bulletin

Those were the words that brought Berryhill Post 165 Legionnaire Dalton D. Walden, better known as ‘DW’, along with current Auxiliary President Deb Northrup, current Auxiliary Secretary Linda Dick and ‘non-Berryhill member & mother’ of Legionnaire Marine Corporal Kyle Chase, Kathy Chase together in the fall of 2006 to attack a problem.

It all started "as a feeling that parents of Midland County residents serving in Iraq or Afghanistan shouldn’t be unduly burdened by the cost of postage and shipping packages to their son or daughter" said DW. It developed into the sending of packages of "snacks and useful products from home" to these sons and daughters of Midland County, Legion members as well as non-Legion members. When the four heard of a Midlander (non-Legion) serving in a war zone they added their name to the list. Also included in these mailings were packages to the remaining 6 to 10 members of the Midlander’s squads. Your donations did this.

Kathy, Linda, Deb and DW have coordinated the packaging and shipping of packages to approximately 20 Midland County Armed Service members serving in Iraq or Afghanistan since October 2006. They have used the donations from "support our troops" fundraisers at Berryhill over the past 2 years. During that time Teddy Bears, donated by Midland Business "Dollar Tree" on South Saginaw Road were packaged & sent to Corporal Chase. As DW reports "Kyle requested them to give to Iraqi kids that gave information about possible IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices".

These packages have had a big impact on the Midland family member receiving the package, as well as others in their squad as evidenced by the Florida, Texas & Colorado parents of non-Midland troops stationed in Iraq & Afghanistan who called indicating their son or daughter wrote to tell them about the packages being received by squads with Midlanders as members from Berryhill Post 165, The American Legion. These parents, unsure of the process, or unable to ship packages such as these, have contacted several of the four packagers. "From our own pockets, Kathy Chase and I have

sent several packages to these Florida, Texas & Colorado troops" said DW.

The cost of these and many more efforts came from at least 3 fundraising events at Berryhill as well as donations from individuals over the past 2 years. You helped with your donations and if you haven’t yet had the privilege you can do so with cash or a check to any of these four patriotic Midlanders. You can indicate if you want your donation to go to the 1460^th or a regular armed forces member from Midland County.

DW says "there is also the 1460^th troop support effort going on from Berryhill". He stressed that there is a difference in this effort from the effort that he and the others have been working on for Midland County residents in ‘war zones’. "The most recent, fundraiser this past spring, just prior to the ‘re-deployment luncheon’ held for the 1460^th raised dollars that have been placed in an account by Commander Chuck Kaminski to assist the 1460^th Family Support Group with postage".

In addition, a couple of men and women from surrounding counties serving in ‘war zones’ have been supported by your donations. Why you might ask did Berryhill fundraising efforts go that far. Well it seems that some families do not support their sons and daughters when these young Americans have taken a stand for the defense of their country.

If you would like to contribute to this effort – Thank you in advance. Pat Hanley – Legion Adjutant

Bingo (every Monday evening 5:00 to 9:00)

Burger night (every Thursday 5:00 to 7:30)

Open Euchre (in bar) (every Wednesday 1:00 pm)

Euchre (in large banquet room) (every Thursday 6:30 pm)

Trivia Night (every 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday in Patio Room at 7:30)

If you are interested in helping with VA hospital bingo in 2009 please call Steve Tracy at 989-835-3733, as we will begin assembling teams and setting dates.

Berryhill Legionnaire membership goal for the 2008-2009 membership year is 718 members.

As of Thursday, September 25, we have 454 paid Legion members, which is 63% of our goal. This number includes 1 new member Paul M Purdy (Korea – Air Force) & 1 transfer Gail H Koch (Grenada/Lebanon – Army).

Please welcome these new members to Berryhill Post 165.

On Thursday, October 2, Berryhill Legionnaires & Long Range Planning Committee members Willie Coomer, Nels Cronkright, Chuck Kaminski & Steve Tracy will be meeting for the first time in several years.

The following is from page 10 of Berryhill Post 165’s Constitution and By-Laws (Revised As Of October 19, 1977).

Please note that this committee addresses more than just the "physical post home", it also addresses in the last sentence other long term plans warranting attention.

If you have concerns that should be addressed by the Long Range Planning Committee, please give those concerns in writing, with your name & member I.D. number, to one of the members mentioned in the first paragraph of this article or to Pat Hanley, Post Adjutant before Thursday, October 2, 2008.

Did you know that 50 Berryhill Post 165 Legionnaires are veterans of the Persian Gulf, 148 are veterans of Korea, 7 of Panama, 12 of Lebanon/Grenada, 225 of Vietnam and 219 of WWII? There are also 72 members that we have no record of war era for (those of you who have sent in your 2009 dues know I am currently updating that information).

In 2008 we have 718 current Legion members. I know you and I are proud current and past members of the armed forces of the United States of America and because we voluntarily join The American Legion that we are proud Legionnaires.

As a Marine veteran of Vietnam, I know I can speak for all, if not most of you, in repeating the old military saying "don’t volunteer for anything". However, I’d like you to consider that while we are all veterans of foreign wars we are currently members of an organization that exists through the work of volunteers. You can always decide to un-volunteer.

There’s nothing wrong with letting your membership consist of only receiving your Legion magazine, Michigan Legionnaire newspaper and your membership card, in fact The American Legion is honored by your receiving those three items. Many of you don’t reside in Midland, many have been deeply involved in volunteering in the past, some of you are infirm and can’t travel, many of you have young families and work jobs that don’t lend to being a volunteer, reality however, says that membership is more than just paying dues. If you can help this year at Berryhill Post 165 please consider volunteering your time when called to work a fund raising dinner or other event, help at bingo, or be part of a committee. Please consider attending a monthly meeting. Did you know that decisions at these meetings are made by less than 2% of your brother and sister veterans concerning needs at Berryhill.

I know you are a proud veteran and a proud Legionnaire and I invite you to the pride, as well as satisfaction, found in volunteering. Consider volunteering this year.

Pat Hanley – Legion Adjutant

This newsletter currently takes no paid advertisement. We currently have 236 email addresses that receive this local newsletter during the last week of each month with news about Berryhill Post 165.

As 2009 membership cards are mailed to Legion members, Adjutant Hanley is enclosing a member data sheet, requesting members to return their email address, as well as updating/correcting items such as "branch of service" and "war era".

sent several packages to these Florida, Texas & Colorado troops" said DW.

The cost of these and many more efforts came from at least 3 fundraising events at Berryhill as well as donations from individuals over the past 2 years. You helped with your donations and if you haven’t yet had the privilege you can do so with cash or a check to any of these four patriotic Midlanders. You can indicate if you want your donation to go to the 1460^th or a regular armed forces member from Midland County.

DW says "there is also the 1460^th troop support effort going on from Berryhill". He stressed that there is a difference in this effort from the effort that he and the others have been working on for Midland County residents in ‘war zones’. "The most recent, fundraiser this past spring, just prior to the ‘re-deployment luncheon’ held for the 1460^th raised dollars that have been placed in an account by Commander Chuck Kaminski to assist the 1460^th Family Support Group with postage".

In addition, a couple of men and women from surrounding counties serving in ‘war zones’ have been supported by your donations. Why you might ask did Berryhill fundraising efforts go that far. Well it seems that some families do not support their sons and daughters when these young Americans have taken a stand for the defense of their country.

If you would like to contribute to this effort – Thank you in advance. Pat Hanley – Legion Adjutant

We currently have 32 members on a 4 week rotation working the "Bingo fundraiser" at Berryhill. IF YOU WOULD VOLUNTEER, MAYBE WE COULD MOVE THAT ROTATION TO EVERY 8 WEEKS

Call Past Commander Steve Tracy at (989) 835-3733 or Adjutant Pat Hanley at (989) 488-2025 to volunteer to work bingo at Berryhill Post 165.

Holiday Bazaar & Bake Sale

Saturday, November 1^st 2008 9:30 to 4:00

At American Legion Post #165

5111 Hedgewood Drive

Midland, Michigan 48640

$25.00 for space & a table is provided if needed

on a "first come" basis

Lunch will be available

For more INFORMATION call Rei Li at (989) 835-3733

No refunds if cancelled after October 15^th

Set up time is Friday 5 to 8 p.m. or Saturday 7:30 a.m.

PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT OUR VETERANS

We have 2 Major Events coming up:

1. The Harvest Dinner will be on SATURDAY, October 11th from 4 pm – 8 pm. Advance tickets are will be available at the Bar soon. (Buy before October the 1^st and SAVE $1.00 per ticket). SAME GREAT FOOD!!!! Prices after October 1st will be $8.00 Adults, $7.00 Seniors (60+), $5.00 Children 5-12 years old, Children 4 and under eat free!

    

2. The SAL ANNUAL RAFFLE drawing will be at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, October 31st,at the Halloween Party in the Bar. (Tickets will be on Sale in the next couple weeks) Tickets are still $2 each or 6 for $10. The Prizes will be. 1st PLACE: A Rifle w/Scope, Shoulder Strap, & Case (Make and Models to be determined) OR $500.00 Cash (Your Choice),2nd PLACE: $250.00 CASH, 3rd PLACE: $150.00 CASH, & 4th PLACE: $75.00 CASH.

(A MAXIMUM OF 2,800 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD)

To ALL SAL MEMBERS: It takes a lot of work to put on these 2 events. We will be preparing for the Harvest Dinner, on Friday the 10th. The meal is an all day chore on the 10th. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS.

We also need help selling the Raffle Tickets. It's real easy to sell 20+ tickets when they are only $2 each & $6 for images. Please step up and sell some tickets. If each SAL Member sold 20 tickets we would have a sell out.

If you can help, please e-mail: salpost165@gmail.com with your name and phone number and we will contact you for your availability.

Brian Cashin – SAL Finance Officer/Adjutant

The first annual Midland Marine Corps Ball will be held November 8, 2008 at 7 pm at the Doan History Center, 3417 West Main Street, Midland, Michigan. This event is to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters in the Heart of Michigan. More details will be presented at the Legion October 1, 2008 regular meeting at 7:30 at 5111 Hedgewood Drive, Midland, Michigan, 48640