Post by AmericanLegion on Jul 10, 2010 4:38:36 GMT -6
April, May, and June have been busy times at the Post home, with Memorial Day services at the Post, Locustwood, and Cherry Hill Town Hall, tributes in appreciation of our retiring veterans, and welcome home ceremonies for our troops. Events as these make your emotions run the gambit. They make you smile, they make you feel somber, they make your heart pound and your eyes well-up, most of all, and they make you proud to be an American. The Post family did a great job pulling everything together.
There were also elections. On behalf of the SAL Officers, I want to thank our fellow SALs for your continued support as we move into our second year. The rest of the SAL officers are, Sr. Vice Commander – Tim Viguers, Vice Commander – Rich Derer, Finance and Membership – Jim Ihlenfeld, Adjutant - Mike Lalena, Sgt at Arms – Dave D’Orazio. Mike Goffinet joins the SAL Officers as Chaplain.
In May, the SALs sponsored the second annual Phil Beck Classic softball game. A fierce competitive struggle ensued. In the first inning of the game, after promising his bride to smash the ball to the tennis courts in deep left field, the SAL Chaplain, Michael Lalena, slapped out a dribble of a base hit. Later in the inning, Chaplain Mike didn’t have a prayer as he rounded third and tripped over the bag. His next advance was to his Toyota FJ Cruiser with the assistance of his bride for a ride to Kennedy Hospital. I’m happy to report Michael’s foot and pride are well on the road to recovery. The softball game continued through rain delays with everyone playing their hearts out with great hitting and fielding. The game was close throughout all 9 innings with the final score of 8 – 6. I’m still not sure whether the red team or blue team won. Both teams have retired to their training facilities in preparation for next year’s game. On a more serious note, the softball game raised $250 through private donations to assist one of our Post family members.
At the Wildwood Convention, the SALs had 7 delegates in attendance to elect new state officers. In attendance were Tim Viguers, Fran Keashan, Brian Fitzgerald, Michael Lalena, Neil Gottron, Seth Gottron, and myself. The Convention is great place to meet fellow Legionnaires from around the State and beyond. It is also an opportunity to discuss the home Post’s activities as well as to find out about events and activities at Posts throughout the state. There was a great parade to see on Saturday. As a Post, we did not participate in the parade this year, but there were a lot of rumblings about participation next year.
The fourth of July parade at Erlton is rapidly approaching. Fran Keashan will provide details for the parade. See the Post bulletin boards for details.
Family Day is on the horizon. Mark this on your calendars for September 18, 2010. It will be a fun event for the whole family, and we hope to improve on last year’s event. This year we are raffling a 50 inch flat screen HDTV. Tickets will be on sale soon. Check the Post bulletin boards for details and ticket availability.
Back to the Wildwood Convention, a few years ago, I had the privilege of marching in the American Legion Parade in Wildwood as the Post 372 Color Guard with our departed friend, Major Joseph Andrzewski, AKA “Gonzo” . While waiting in our position for the parade to start, we were talking about the Color Guard and not having rifles on either side of the Flag. Gonzo’s comment was “We don’t need any rifles. Just someone try taking this Flag from me…..”. He smiled, waved the flag, and posted it ready march. We all knew he meant business. We are better people for having known Joe, for he was a gentleman, a man of integrity, and a great patriot.
For God and Country,
Gary Gottron
SAL Commander
There were also elections. On behalf of the SAL Officers, I want to thank our fellow SALs for your continued support as we move into our second year. The rest of the SAL officers are, Sr. Vice Commander – Tim Viguers, Vice Commander – Rich Derer, Finance and Membership – Jim Ihlenfeld, Adjutant - Mike Lalena, Sgt at Arms – Dave D’Orazio. Mike Goffinet joins the SAL Officers as Chaplain.
In May, the SALs sponsored the second annual Phil Beck Classic softball game. A fierce competitive struggle ensued. In the first inning of the game, after promising his bride to smash the ball to the tennis courts in deep left field, the SAL Chaplain, Michael Lalena, slapped out a dribble of a base hit. Later in the inning, Chaplain Mike didn’t have a prayer as he rounded third and tripped over the bag. His next advance was to his Toyota FJ Cruiser with the assistance of his bride for a ride to Kennedy Hospital. I’m happy to report Michael’s foot and pride are well on the road to recovery. The softball game continued through rain delays with everyone playing their hearts out with great hitting and fielding. The game was close throughout all 9 innings with the final score of 8 – 6. I’m still not sure whether the red team or blue team won. Both teams have retired to their training facilities in preparation for next year’s game. On a more serious note, the softball game raised $250 through private donations to assist one of our Post family members.
At the Wildwood Convention, the SALs had 7 delegates in attendance to elect new state officers. In attendance were Tim Viguers, Fran Keashan, Brian Fitzgerald, Michael Lalena, Neil Gottron, Seth Gottron, and myself. The Convention is great place to meet fellow Legionnaires from around the State and beyond. It is also an opportunity to discuss the home Post’s activities as well as to find out about events and activities at Posts throughout the state. There was a great parade to see on Saturday. As a Post, we did not participate in the parade this year, but there were a lot of rumblings about participation next year.
The fourth of July parade at Erlton is rapidly approaching. Fran Keashan will provide details for the parade. See the Post bulletin boards for details.
Family Day is on the horizon. Mark this on your calendars for September 18, 2010. It will be a fun event for the whole family, and we hope to improve on last year’s event. This year we are raffling a 50 inch flat screen HDTV. Tickets will be on sale soon. Check the Post bulletin boards for details and ticket availability.
Back to the Wildwood Convention, a few years ago, I had the privilege of marching in the American Legion Parade in Wildwood as the Post 372 Color Guard with our departed friend, Major Joseph Andrzewski, AKA “Gonzo” . While waiting in our position for the parade to start, we were talking about the Color Guard and not having rifles on either side of the Flag. Gonzo’s comment was “We don’t need any rifles. Just someone try taking this Flag from me…..”. He smiled, waved the flag, and posted it ready march. We all knew he meant business. We are better people for having known Joe, for he was a gentleman, a man of integrity, and a great patriot.
For God and Country,
Gary Gottron
SAL Commander