THE FRANK E BOOMA POST 6

 NEWSLETTER

Founded 1919

 FEBRUARY 2004

 Commander -- Richard “Brooksie” Brooks

Commander’s Message

I would like to inform all our members that may have motorcycles of 350cc or larger that we have members that would like to start a Legion Riders chapter from our Post. Their participation is primarily in parades, Legion functions, National functions any other community related endeavor. This is not a motorcycle club that is not the intent of it. It is a patriotic group of motorcyclists in conjunction with the American Legion. I want to remind everyone that the first nomination of officers for 2005 is at our February Post meeting. If you are interested, please be at the meeting or have a letter of intent to the Adjutant prior to the meeting.  Our membership dinner has been slated for Saturday, March 12, 2005. See more from the Vice Commander. Thank you.

 Richard “Brooksie” Brooks - Commander

Senior Vice Commander’s Message

My tour of duty as Senior Vice Commander was very gratifying. Although it will be coming to an end, I want to thank all of the post members of Frank E. Booma for your support in the past year. One of my final duties is to host the annual membership dinner. After dinner we recognize and award all of those members of longevity and who served above and beyond the call of duty for our post. This dinner is free to all Frank E. Booma Post members who hold a 2005 membership card. The dinner will be served Saturday, March 12th at 5 p.m. in the upstairs hall and the award ceremony will commence at 6 p.m. The menu will be stuffed chicken breast, roasted potatoes, vegetable, salad and roll. First nominations for new post officers will be Thursday, February 17th held at our monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Second nominations will be on Thursday, March 17th held at our monthly meeting at 7 p.m. If you have intentions of running for office, you have to be present to be nominated or submit a letter of intent for that office you are pursuing no later than March 17th. Our post web page is up & running. We encourage everyone to visit the web site (feboomapost6.org) and let us know what you think. I have been working with the web master on the site & have been updating it as we get more information, so click on it often to check the updates & information available to you. Yours in comradeship,

 Frank Desper - Senior Vice Commander

Adjutant’s Message

It has come to my attention that Post members have been getting “Renewal Notices” for your 2005 membership dues from National Headquarters. Please disregard these notices, if you have paid your membership for 2005.  There has been some concern from the membership concerning the three parking spaces with the installed parking signs.  Those signs are legal, and if you violate what is printed on those signs, you can be towed at your expense. So please do not park there during the hours stated on those signs.  I have been getting letters from the membership concerning the Web Site the Post is constructing. Some of the letters are from members who do not have computer, unless you inform me that you will use the web site, I will continue to send you a newsletter.  Check the Senior Vice Commander’s input for the Post web site. The one I printed last month was wrong. I want to apologize to those of you who did not receive a newsletter last month. I will do what has to be done to see that this does not happen again.  In accordance with Post By-Laws first nominations of Post Officers and Delegates to the State Convention shall be on the regularly scheduled meeting for February.  Election of Post officers shall be Commander, Adjutant, Senior Vice Commander, Junior Vice Commander, Finance Officer, Historian, Chaplain, Sergeant-At-Arms, Service Officer,  and Assistance Service Officer. The retiring Commander shall be the Junior Past Commander for the ensuing year.

About the Post Service Officers - Veterans needing assistance with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other military-related matters, often turn to The American Legion for help. For most veterans, the post in their community is “The American Legion” not the national or department headquarters. This means that veterans needing help are going to look for it at the local post. This is especially true today with thousands of troops deploying to and returning from the War on Terrorism. If a veteran goes to a post for help and is turned away or treated with indifference, The American Legion, not the post, is seen as not caring about veterans, regardless of what the Legion has done or is currently doing for veterans at state and national levels. This is why it is so important that every post have a Post Service Officer (PSO) truly interested in serving fellow veterans. The PSO serve as the initial contact between The American Legion and the veteran. The PSO, in most instances is not a professional service officer, nor is he or she an “accredited” representative of The American Legion (the exception would be when a professional service officer, county, state or Legion, also services as the PSO for his or her post). It isn’t necessary for the PSO to be an expert in veterans’ laws or benefits. What is important is for the PSO to have a strong desire to serve veterans.  The purpose of the PSO is to be the initial point of contact for veteran issues by providing veterans in the community where the post is located with basic information and assistance, including referrals to the Department Service Officer (DSO). It is important for the PSO to establish a working relationship with the professional American Legion DSO any paperwork submitted by the veteran is forwarded to the DSO in a timely manner. It is the responsibility of a PSO to not only be aware of VA laws and regulations pertaining to the filing of claims, but they must also follow the policies and guidelines established by the National VA&R Commission as outlined in the VA&R “Code of Procedure”.

 George McCall – Adjutant

Delegates' Meeting

There will be a Delegates' meeting in the Post home on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at 1200 noon.  Meeting will be held in the Post function hall, second floor.  ALL Delegates should attend this meeting.  Please notify me in person by phone or email if you can not attend  My email is georgbarb@aol.com.

 George McCall -Chief Delegate

Sergeant-At-Arm’s Message

The Post Color Guard would like to remind everyone of their monthly FISH FRY on Friday, February 4th from 4pm to 7pm.

 Dan Yoder -Sgt. at Arms

S.A.L. Adjutant’s Message

I want to remind everyone that our nominations for officers for the 2005 year are coming up.  Please think about getting involved with the Squadron.  We need dedicated individuals.  This will be on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 1800 hours and if you are interested,. please be at the meeting or have a letter of intent to the Adjutant prior to the meeting.  Thank you.

 Richard “Brooksie” Brooks - Adjutant