THE FRANK E BOOMA POST 6

 NEWSLETTER

Founded 1919

 September 2009

 Commander -- Frank Desper

COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

As your Commander one of my several duties are keeping you informed as updates become available.   I understand everyone is feeling the stress of today’s economy and it makes it hard for some of you to give that little extra, whether it be volunteering your time, or making contributions towards our programs.  I have to strongly express that the post does and will continue to support its members, those serving on active duty, those that are hospitalized, supporting homeless veterans and the families of all mentioned above including our youth programs in and outside the post arena.  The post also assists other organizations throughout the state as much as it can.  My concerns as to why and to give you a little background of my concerns is that the post recently passed its budget for the year during our June 2009 meeting. Since that meeting the post has assisted every applicant who has applied for relief, assisted with donations to the American Red Cross/ Heart and Lung Associations, donated funds to our local and state fraternities.  We also made purchases for post home repairs and provided the color guard new uniforms.  The total amount provided was in excess of $40,000 (again all budgeted) some of the repairs made were slightly over cost due to unforeseen added costs once repairs started.  With all of this being said, it is not my intention to deliver a “state of emergency” address to you, the post is operating at 98% efficiency.  What I am asking from you is the post needs your help.  It is the post’s responsibility along with your donations to continue helping and providing for all of our veterans and families in need while maintaining the post home.  In closing, please consider making a donation to Frank E. Booma post 6 so none of our post sponsored programs are dropped or the post home suffers due to insufficient funds.  Any help you can provide adds up.  If you consider making contributions in another way, I listed some much needed items below that are the most requested and are used by our troops, families and homeless.  Please consider new.  However, if you donate used items please let them be in good condition.  If you have other ideas or items to donate while reading, by all means add them to the list. Any and all of your donations are welcomed and are tax deductible.  For everyone who donates I will provide you with a letter for your tax records.  This wish list is the “most requested” items that are asked from us other then monetary;  any non-perishable foods, bed sheets, towels, wash clothes, shampoo, tooth brush, floss, phone cards, powder drink mixes (Tang) deodorant, razors, socks,  dishes, bowls, infant and toddler items, gloves, hats, diapers, T-shirts, jackets, children’s books for ages 2 to 16, puzzles, pencils, back packs, etc.  Some other ideas to include on the list so the post can raise money through drawings & raffles are gift cards for free salon or other type of services, tickets to games, concerts, museums, etc. If you are unable to deliver your items to the post please contact me.   A Post representative or I will come to your residence to pick up your donations.  I want to thank you for being a member of the American Legion at Frank E. Booma Post 6, You Make a Difference.  Remember there are a lot of American men and women guarding our bases at home and protecting our country overseas, those widowed spouse’s or homeless veterans who still cannot adjust, most if not all of them are worse off than us.  Please Help.

It’s my sad duty to report that Reginald Toussaint (22 year member), Adolf Berounsky (62 year member), Al Potvin (62 year member) and Harry Smith a U.S. Veteran were all called by the Commander of us all, may their souls go marching on.

 Frank Desper, Post Commander

 JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

The Children's Outing was on Sunday August 23, 2009, we had a great response for all those wanting to attend. We all had a great time with pizza, soft drinks, games & ice cream. I would like to thank everybody that helped and those that came out to Chuck E. Cheese.  The Adult Outing is going to be on Saturday September 12, 2009 at the Post. Your membership card will be needed for free admission, $10.00 for non-members and guests. There will be parking available at the Masonic Temple lot, (the corner of Middle St and Miller Ave) with a shuttle service to/from the Post. Food will be served from 2-6(chicken & ribs), entertainment during the afternoon and evening, Surf & Turf will be held upstairs starting at 3:00pm. There will be a sign-up sheet for volunteers to help.  The Old Timers Softball Game, American Legion Post 6 vs. VFW Post 168, is going to be on September 20, 2009. Mark your calendar, come out and play, watch your favorite team in this long standing rivalry. There is a sign-up sheet for player positions and help in the Grille.

John Moulton, Junior Vice Commander

 ADJUTANT’S MESSAGE  

I want to start by welcoming our new members, they are Ray Masso-Flores, Tom Mills, Al Senuta and Joseph Belanger.

I want to report that we are presently at 324 members for 50.94% for 2010. I want to thank everyone that has renewed so far and look forward to our numbers rising even more.

I want to inform anyone that may suffer from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) disease; the V. A. has determined this to be a compensable service related illness.

If anyone enjoys dining out at Buckhorn Restaurant (the T. A. Truck stop) if you present your membership card prior to ordering you will receive 20% off  your meal.

We have a early bird B.B.Q. on Sept. 5 at 1200 with a super surf and turf that day hosted by the Color Guard. You must have your 2010 dues paid by that date or on that day. Guests are $10.00

At our next Post meeting on Sept. 17 we will be electing delegates for next year. If you are interested please be present or have a letter of intent to me prior to the meeting.

Our next meeting is on Sept. 17 at 1800 hours. Let’s see a good turnout for these meetings, they have been sparse lately and we would love to have more members involved.

The Adult outing is Sept. 12 at 1400 at the Post home, members are free and guests $10.00

The Old timers game is Sept. 20 at 1100 , there is a signup sheet in the Grille.

I want to sadly inform everyone we lost the following members, Adolf Berounsky, Reggie Toussaint and Al Potvin.

Our Post is submitting a resolution to establish and organization for spouses of female veterans and we will have the finished version at the next Post meeting if anyone is interested.

If anyone has any problems with their membership cards, ie. Years , name, address, etc, please contact me so I may make corrections accordingly. I can be reached at the Post at 4367575 my cell number a 2072527532 or email at boomapost6@comcast.net.

We are having a good year and if anyone has any input for any events etc. please contact me of the Commander.

Remember that school starts very soon and be careful of our children as you drive.

The District 3 American Legion has a fundraising raffle each year. It is a 50/50 raffle, if anyone is interested you may contact me and I will ensure you get a ticket, they are $10.00 each.

The POW/MIA Vigil at the Tilton Veterans Home is Sept. 12-13 from 1100 to 1100. Anyone is welcome to participate.

 Richard "Brooksie" Brooks, Adjutant

 POST 6 COLOR GUARD MESSAGE

Our next Fish Fry will be Friday, September 4, 2009 from 4-7 p.m.  Thank you for your loyalty and please continue to support us. 

 Your 2 Time National Post 6 Color Guard

 SQUADRON COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

Our first meeting for this year is September 16th starting at 6:00pm.  I hope everyone had a great time at the Children’s Outing.  The Post will be having early bird cookout for all those members who have an early bird stamp on their membership card.  The food will be free to those Squadron 6 members.  However, those who do not have a stamp will pay a small donation to eat.   The Post will also be hosting the Adult Outing September 12^th come out and enjoy the day.  All Squadron 6 members are free, guests will be charged $10.00 so don’t forget your membership card, they will be checking.  There will be a lot of food and fun, the grille will be having a band, surf and turf games will be in the upstairs hall and other games will be available as well.  The “Old Timers Game” will be at the Junior High School starting at 11:00 on the 20^th.  You have to be over 40 years old to play or you can just bring the family, the dog or some friends to watch and enjoy the game.  There will be hot dogs, cheese burgers and beverages available if you get hungry in the hot sun.

 Grant Bergeron, S.A.L. Commander

SQUADRON ADJUTANT’S MESSAGE

The membership renewals are coming in nicely.  If you have not renewed your membership please consider it as the Post is hosting special events for those who hold early bird stamped cards.  The early bird stamp will not be issued after October 15th.  If you miss out on the early bird, you’ll miss some good things happening around the post.  Our first Squadron meeting this year is on September 16th at 6:00pm. Please try to attend as we will be discussing upcoming events within the Squadron.

 Bob Prendergast, S.A.L. Adjutant

 GRILLE STEWARD’S MESSAGE

Hello again, I hope everyone had a great summer as school begins with fall right around the corner!!  We have a busy month ahead of us starting with some great bands and our adult outing on the 12^th.  We will be having karaoke in the afternoon in the grille as well as drink specials and some prize give-a-ways so, make sure you don’t miss out starting at 2pm, ending with the Echo Tones band to make the event a memorable one.  The Legion and V.F.W. annual softball game will be on the 20^th of the month and we will be serving food after the game in the Grill so come down to the Portsmouth Junior High School at 11:00am to cheer on your favorite players, it’s always a good time.  NOW’s the time to purchase your bar tag if you have not have already done so, please remember they make great gifts as well as a nice memorial tribute to a friend or a loved one, see the bartender for details.  Until next month stay safe and watch for the school children.

Sue Desper, Grille Steward

UNIT NEWS

 AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP

 Ladies –Be an EARLY BIRD, pay before October 15, 2009.  Your name will also be put into a drawing for one of two $50.00 gift cards to be drawn at the Early Bird Dinner in October. 

 Karyl Horn, Unit Membership Chairman

 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

I hope you have had a great summer! I want to welcome all that joined the Organizations over the summer. Thru the Bulletin it is easy to keep track of the goings on with the Post, Unit and Sons. Anytime you want to
help with something, show up. We will not turn you away!  With the New Year about to begin, we have a bit of business to attend to at the September 10 Auxiliary meeting. We will be holding nominations & elections for 2nd Vice President. If you are interested in the position please attend the meeting or have a letter of intent in to the Secretary or myself before the start of the meeting. We will also be ratifying the appointed chairmanships for the upcoming year. Depending on the outcome at National Convention, Aug 21 thru 27, we may need to increase our dues. The first reading of a By-Laws change will be read if needed. We also need to start planning future events. A few things will be different.  Congratulations to Judi Fountas as she is the District #3 Alternate
Director for this year. Also congratulations to Sue Williams as she is the Department of New Hampshire Unit Member of the Year.  If you know of any members that have passed away since May 8th please let us know so that we may honor their years of service by Draping the Charter for them at our meeting.  The Unit would like to extend our gratefulness to Bev Stone, Carol Hunt, Shirley Williams, Sue Desper, Kelly Jenkins, Sheila Brooks and Kathlene and Konrad Ortner for their generous donations to be sent to the female troops in Afchanistan and Iraq via Moore-Mart. If I missed anyone, please accept our thanks. The Ortner's are members of a Florida Post visiting in the area and surprised us with 4 shopping bags of goodies along with an additional $50.00 to be spent.

Sheila Brooks, Unit President