THE FRANK E BOOMA POST 6

 NEWSLETTER

Founded 1919

 October 2008

 Commander -- Frank Desper

COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

Ever give it much thought?  September coming to a close, leaves turning brown and soon the snow.  How about preparations for the winter?  How about who our next President will be?  Elections are right around the corner and one of my duties as Commander is to keep you informed.  Not as to vote for, but “As an American,” it’s your duty to Vote.  The issues are staggering that need focusing on in our country.  I’m sure you have thoughts as to what the future will be like after the new president has been sworn in. I believe the well being of those veterans’ coming home from the desert lands that are physically challenged and their after care are on the agenda.  Help for the older fixed income service men and women trying to keep warm during these times.  Then those we sometimes loose sight of are our homeless Vets.  Without any of these brave men and women we would not have the freedom, democracy or the type of government we have today.  I encourage you to get out and vote this year.  Two thoughts of history for you; did you know that everyone holding a political office during the signing of the Declaration of Independence was a volunteer.  The second is; the Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 revised in 1923 and again in 1954.  The Post hosted events (Adult Outing and Old Timers Game) raised over $2000.00 through raffles and donations.  My hat is off to everyone who helped, especially the volunteers, the list is very long, and without them the phrase “giving from the heart” means nothing, THANK YOU.  Nominations for Post Delegates and Alternates will be at this month’s regularly scheduled meeting (October 17, 2008).  Please consider becoming a delegate, we are authorized 9 primary and 9 alternates.  These positions are key figure heads within the organization.  As an added privilege should you become a Delegate, the Post will provide you with a room at the State Convention.  This year’s Convention will be held in Lincoln, NH. The Post is hosting the USS New Hampshire Commissioning for the weekend of  October 24 – 26, 2008.  I extended to the Officers and Crew an open house welcome, stop in and chat with the Crew.  As we press on, a lot of events are still happening in and around the Post with our other organizations (Unit and S.A.L.) read on.  The Post’s next hosted event is Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2008. - “Let us not forget.”  I will get back to you with more details next month.  It is my sad duty to report that four Post Members have fallen from our ranks.  Tom Travers (29 year member), Don Lawrence (33 year member), George “Charlie” Katsonis (25 year member) and William Perry (33 year member), they will be missed and our charter is draped.  May they rest in peace amen.  The cooler months kick up heavier seas in the north; we need to keep the ship watertight.  Haul over all hatch hoods and gun covers.

 Frank Desper, Post 6 Commander

ADJUTANT’S MESSAGE

When American Legion Past National Commander Harry Colmery in the Mayflower Hotel penned what would become the Service's Readjustment Act of 1944 - the original GI Bill - he could never have guessed the impact his words would have on millions veterans for decades to come. Regarded as the most significant social legislation passed in America during the 20th century, The GI Bill laid the foundation for a half century of economic prosperity in the United States. Expert estimate that for every $1.00 spent educating a veteran through the GI Bill, $7.00 or more returned to the economy. Historians commonly cite this as The American Legion's greatest accomplishment. Now that a GI Bill for the 21st Century has passed, many young veterans are confused about their benefits, which take effect in August 2009, Campus veteran coordinators across the country report that young veterans don't realize the new law is not yet in effect. They don't understand which of four available programs will be right for them. They want to know more about spouse and child benefits and how long they have before the offer expires. To answer those questions and many more, I am delighted to announce a new Web site that will be launched this fall by The American Legion's Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Division. The site will be located at www.mygibill.org and will provide definitive, helpful information for veterans and for veteran campus coordinators wanting to know more about the new GI Bill and how it can help them

About three months go I sent membership cards to various members of this Post, because I felt that they had forgotten to pay their dues. I sent each member in question a letter with their card, saying perhaps they forgot or was having financial problems, if the latter is true I will see to it that the Post pay your membership for the year 2008, I did not want you to lose your continuous years as a member of this Post, so please send in your membership dues, if at this time you are unable, please let me know.

George McCall, Post Adjutant

 SERVICE OFFICER’S MESSAGE

VA New England now offers telephone advice services to veterans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Veterans will use this after-hours service by dialing the same telephone numbers used for advice during the day. The After Hours Telephone Care Program staff will have full electronic access to your appointments and health records.  Services provided by the VA Regional Call Center include Medical Services, Appointments, Prescription Assistance, and Location Services

 Merton Mobbs, Post Service Officer

SENIOR VICE COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

ATTENTION TO ALL MEMBERS, Sunday, November 9, 2008 from 4 – 6 p.m. For those members who have an “Early Bird” stamp on their membership card, the Post is hosting its Membership Dinner and it’s free only if you have an early bird stamp on your membership card and are a member of Post 6.  If you do not have an “Early Bird” stamp on your membership card by dinner date, the dinner will cost you $5.00 per plate.  Renew your membership now and get your “Early Bird” stamp on your card!!!  Come enjoy the camaraderie.   The menu will be one of two entrées:  

 Pork Loin with Gravy or Baked Stuffed Haddock

Red Roasted Potatoes

Vegetable

Roll and Butter

Garden Salad

Dessert

 Jim Minot, Sr. Vice Commander

 JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

The Adult outing was a great success; everyone commended the cooks for the food that was prepared. We had a great Surf and Turf and the music was great.  The Old Timers Softball game went well, we did win it by a score of 10-4 but the V.F.W. played a great game with Tina Buckman doing a great job for them at third base. Linda Lafrenier and Bob Coleman were great pitching for us and we had some great plays all around.  Our next major event will be Veteran's Day with the parade from the V.F.W. to Goodwin Park as well as the ceremony at Wal Mart that morning.  Then we have the Children's Halloween Party at the Post. We can use help with that from anyone willing to assist us on the 26th of October.  We have had a few pre burials lately and the turnout has not been that good by the membership. I think we can do better, stop in to the Grille on a regular basis to see if there are any coming up. This is not something we enjoy doing but we do need a good turnout for the families.  We are looking for volunteers for the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner which will be on Thursday November 20, 2008. We usually need help the night before preparing the food and on Thursday serving and cleaning up.  I will have a sign up sheet in the Grille in the next few weeks for that. I hope everyone is doing well and having a nice end of summer time and ready for Autumn.

 Richard “Brooksie” Brooks, Jr. Vice Commander

 POST 6 COLOR GUARD MESSAGE

 Our next Fish Fry will be Friday, October 3, 2008.

Thank You for your loyalty and please continue to support us,

 Your 2 Time National Post 6 Color Guard

 SURF & TURF SCHEDULE

 October 4th – Post

October 11th – S.A.L.

October 18th – Unit

October 25th – Color Guard

SQUADRON COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

At our last meeting we had first nominations for delegates and will be having second nominations at our next meeting in October.  We had a few people interested but there is still room for more.  So if you are interested and would like to help out as a delegate, come to our next meeting on Wednesday, October 15, 2008.  We also started planning for our Haunted House we put on for the children attending the Halloween Party.  If you have any ideas or would like to help, please let us know.  Hope to see you at the next meeting.

Mike Hunt, S.A.L. Commander

SQUADRON ADJUTANT’S MESSAGE

The 2008 dues cards are in get your SAL cards now. At our October 15, 2008 S.A.L. meeting we will have second nominations and elections for delegates to state convention. Any one wishing to be a delegate please attend the meeting or send me a letter of intent before the meeting. We will be setting up the haunted house in the basement we will be looking for help to set up the house plus people to work the house the day of the Halloween party. Any interested in helping please see Mike Hunt or Grant Bergeron.

 Bob Prendergast, S.A.L. Adjutant

 BAND SCHEDULE

 October 4th – Groovecats

October 10th – Karaoke w/DJ Darlene

October 11th – The Greyzone

October 18th– Win/Place/Show

October 25th - Ron Jones/Halloween Party 8-12 p.m.

 CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN PARTY

The annual Children’s Halloween Party will be held Sunday, October 26, 2008 from 1-4 p.m., ages up to 10 years old.  There will be prizes for best costumes, food, games and the Haunted House.  A sign up sheet is included.  PLEASE SIGN UP YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN and return to the Post no later than  October 22, 2008!  This will help with planning the party.  Volunteers are needed and appreciated, contact President Sheila Brooks if you are available to help.

GRILLE STEWARD’S MESSAGE

 Hello again, here we are in the month of October can't believe were into Fall already.  First of all I would like to thank the many volunteers we had that made our adult outing another success, Cheryl Miles, John Wilkerson, Mary Wilkerson, Al Hall, Sheila Katsanos, Pam Mattingly, Trudy Huff, Mike Varney, Arty Vancour, Tony Lozada, and as usual Ellen Bergeron the Asst. Steward who also does a fantastic job Decorating our grille!!! To start this month off we have a new band October 11, 2008.  They are called The Greyzone.  They are a popular band that is well known in the Nashua area and have appeared on a local TV Station so I’ll bet they are going to rock the Legion. Win/Place/Show are great as well as Ron Jones so be prepared to have a good time this October!! Our Halloween Party will be Saturday, October 25, 2008 with a costume party with cash prizes for scariest, funniest, and most original - judging will be at 10 p.m., so come in for a ghoulish night of fun and dancing.  Karaoke is always entertaining with some very talented people - so check it out! The name plaques for the bar are selling quickly so don't miss out.  Get yours or someone you would like to have remembered soon. The cut of date is December 15, 2008 or until sold-out, See the bartender for details. Until November, stay warm and safe. 

Sue Desper Grille Steward

Unit delegates and alternates will be nominated and elected by ballot, at the regular meeting held on Thursday, October 9, 2008. Anyone nominated must be present at the meeting, or a written letter of intent should be submitted to President Sheila prior to nominations.  Alternates shall have priority in the order of their election. Delegates are expected to attend the Department Convention, District #3 Fall Conference, Mid-Winter Conference, and the District #3 Spring Conference.  Delegates are also encouraged to attend the District 3 Leadership School.

 DONATIONS NEEDED!

We are looking for non-perishable dry or canned goods for our annual Thanksgiving Basket Raffle which will be run next month.  A basket is located in the Grille by the bathrooms for you to place your donations.  Last year’s raffle was a success for our Unit, let’s do it again. 

 AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP

 Ladies - By now you should have received your first dues renewal from National.  If you have sent in your 2009 dues, THANK YOU.  Dues are $15.00 seniors, $5.00 juniors and $20.00 new members.  Help Unit 6 by renewing today.  Recently, I have been receiving dues for the Post and SAL as well and have had to write a check to pass it on.  It would be easier if I only receive Auxiliary dues in the future. I f you have any membership concerns or questions, feel free to call me at (603) 799-8267.

Karyl Horn, Unit Secretary/Treasurer

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The Autumn season has arrived. Now it is time to fall in for the march thru this year's events of the Frank E. Booma Family. Sunday, October 26, 2008 is the date for the Children's Halloween Party. There is a sign up sheet in this bulletin that we need you to fill out so that we have an accurate head count. As with every family the budget is tighter this year due to higher costs of gasoline along with other costs. The Auxiliary, Sons and Post need to watch their spending for waste as well.  The Old Timers Game between the Legion and VFW was held on September 21, 2008. It was a great time by all. The Men’s Auxiliary of the VFW did a bang up job on the foods and drinks. Other upcoming events are as followed.  Monday, October 6, 2008 at 6:00 p.m., Installation of Officers of the 8/40 Rockingham County Salon 264 at Strafford Farms Restaurant, Somersworth.  Unit #6 Meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., we will be having elections for Historian and Second Vice President. Currently interested members are Barbara Dunham and Paula Hollingsworth. We will also be planning the Children's Christmas Party and lining up help for the Thanksgiving Day Dinner. Please attend the meeting so that you can help with the details.   Friday, October 10, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. is the District #3 meeting at Kensington Post 105. Please attend so that you will know what is going on within the District. All members are welcome.  Saturday, October 11, 2008 is the Junior Auxiliary Fall Conference at Hudson Post 48. If you have a Junior member that you would like to introduce to the life of the Auxiliary, here is a great venue to attend.  Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. is the District #3 Leadership School to be held at the Rochester Post 7. Come hear Chairman Linda Ackley explain how to run a good meeting, fill out membership applications and the importance of following the Constitution and By-Laws among other issues that are raised through questions. Open to Post and S.A.L. members as well wishing to learn more.  Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. is the date of the Fall Conference - South at the Epping Post 51. At this event you will hear what the Department Chairmen are doing and promoting what the Auxiliary is involved in.  You will have the opportunity to talk one on one with the Chairmen to learn what is reportable for the different aspects of the Auxiliary.  There will be raffles all day long which you must be present to win. BUT this does not mean that you have to tie up your whole day.  The open format allows you to leave whenever you are done talking to the chairmen of the programs of your choice. If you can not attend the Fall Conference – South, please try to attend the Fall Conference - North at Laconia Post 1 on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.

 Sheila Brooks, Unit President & District #3 Director

 I will be moving out of the State as of September 29, 2008.  I would like to THANK the Frank E. Booma Family for all they have done for me over the years.  I will certainly miss all the friends I have made.

 Shirley Calvert

 “October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came;
The ashes, oaks, and maples,
And those of every name.”

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