Vallarta Vets Semi-Official Newsletter from American Legion Post 14 J. R. Wilson - American Legion Post 14
October 17, 2017

Commander’s Comments  

It’s great to see our members trickling back into town after “taking the summer off” and heading back to the states. Welcome Home!  

I believe we have an interesting and fun-filled next few months scheduled at Post 14. We have a series of speakers that will be appearing at our General Membership Meetings, a “Renewed” Poker Tour, the SIXTH Annual Chili Cook Off, and more.  

As I mentioned last month – we need VOLUNTEERS to make all of this work. Please plan on helping with one or more of our fundraisers. If you don’t want to help, or can’t help – please plan to participate by purchasing a ticket – and passing the word to friends and neighbors. I’d like to personally thank Donna, Jake, and Jim for stepping up to organize the Poker Tour. ALL three of these folks are Volunteers – none of them are dues-paying veterans.  

I have to admit that I didn’t really know a lot about The American Legion when I joined and really hadn’t learned too much additional information over the years.  However, I am now learning a LOT – thanks to FREE online training from The American Legion. There are five lectures that will help you learn about most aspects of The American Legion – starting with its history. I just completed the first session and was amazed and pleased with the ease of learning and all that The American Legion stands for.  At the end of every lecture is a short quiz to test your knowledge. The lectures consist of photos, short paragraphs of information, and videos. I encourage you to take the time to learn more about The American Legion.

Web links of interest

ebenefits (Gateway to Benefit Info)
Learn about The American Legion

The Next Time you see a Vet – Say THANKS!

THE AMERICAN LEGION WILL BE 100 YEARS OLD IN 2019

Carla’s Kitchen

A REMINDER - Vets (and other expats) often run out of cash and/or food by the end of the month.  Many stop in to Steve’s Sports Bar and ask Carla for help – whether it be for a burger or a few pesos. Carla helps them whenever she can. She maintains a small warehouse of extra food for these folks. SO, the next time you are at the grocery store, Sam’s, or Costco – grab some extra food and drop it off at Steve’s. Carla will see that it goes to those in need. Thanks in advance for helping your fellow vets!

Facebook

The Post has a Facebook Page – but nobody to update or take care of it. If you are a Facebook user and interested in helping with our Facebook Page, please contact J. R. at your earliest convenience, jrinmx@gmail.com.

ONLINE Shopping FOR VETERANS at Base Exchanges

As an Honorably Discharged veteran you will be able to shop at various DoD Exchanges as of the 11th of November.  You must verify your name, last 4 of your SSN, and a couple of other things – and upload a copy of your Honorable Discharge.  It’s a quick and easy process.  It took less than 5 minutes for me to do the entire process.  To sign up (verify) go to www.VetVerify.org or you can call 844-868-8672.  There is no cost or obligation.  It took one working day to verify my information.   Exchange websites that you will be able to use include:  www.shopmyexchange.com, www.shopcgx.com, www.mymcx.com, and www.mynavyexchange.com. You can go to any of these sites now and browse around.

Post 14 CALENDAR (ALL meetings begin at 11 AM unless noted otherwise)

October 17th - General Membership Meeting – Steve’s Sports Bar
October 27th – NAVY DAY
November 2nd – Executive Committee Meeting – location to be announced
November 11th – VETERAN’S DAY & REMEMBERANCE DAY (Event at Hildago Pk)
November 21st - General Membership Meeting – Steve’s Sports Bar
November 23rd – Thanksgiving
December 7th – Executive Committee Meeting – location to be announced
December 7th – PEARL HARBOR DAY
December 19th - General Membership Meeting – Steve’s Sports Bar
December 25th - CHRISTMAS
January 4th – Executive Committee Meeting – location to be announced
January 16th – General Membership Meeting – Steve’s Sports Bar
January 20th – Poker Tour
January 27th – VIETNAM CEASE FIRE - 1973
February 1st – Executive Committee Meeting – location to be announced
February 14th – VALENTINE’S DAY
February 19th – PRESIDENT’S DAY
February 20th – General Membership Meeting – Steve’s Sports Bar
February 24th – 6th Annual Chili Cook Off
March 1st – Executive Committee Meeting – location to be announced
March 15th (tentative date) – Pre-St. Patrick’s Day Event at Murphy’s Irish Pub

The Jay Sadler Project

One of our Post 14 members – Jay Sadler – has been very generous by helping the Post with donations for many years.  Over the last year he has decided to start his own “organization” to help local citizens with a myriad of projects.  MANY of these projects are partially funded by Post 14 funds.  Jay has been gracious by always giving credit to Post 14 no matter whether we provide manpower, funds, or neither.  This has helped spread a positive message about our Post throughout the Bay of Banderas region.  Past Commander Dennis Rike is heading up these efforts assisted by Jim Mawdesley, Donna Wong, and other American Legion Volunteers.  IF you ever get a chance – please give Jay a great big THANK YOU!

From “The Chive”

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