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AMERICAN LEGION POST 71
NEWSLETTER
VOLUME VIII ISSUE 08
AUGUST 2015
American Legion Leonard Moore Post 71 • 1300 Old US 70W, PO Box 252, Clayton, NC
Department of North Carolina, Division III, District 11 • www.amlegionncpost71.org 1 of 6
COMMANDER’S CORNER Legionnaires!
You may be hard pressed to find anyone who grew up in America that has not read or was required to read To Kill a Mocking Bird. The best quote I found from reading this book when I was in 11th grade was from the fictional lawyer Atticus. He said, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view ... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”
This year marks the 50th year our Post’s building has been standing. Although many Legionnaires have labored in and around our building over the years there are many who are not here in the natural. In particular last month on the 18th we lost Legionnaire Charles Stewart laboring over 57 years as a member of our post. Our Supreme Commander gained a dedicated Patriot on the roster and Charles assumed his position in the Post Everlasting. Their legacy lives on! During the next few months, we will began to place names, years and branch of service of our members for all who walks inside our building to see and perhaps feel each Legionnaire point of view.
Speaking of legacy, each day is a new day for us to pour ourselves into a cause greater than each of us. One day there will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. We will pass the mantle to veterans like two of our newest member’s - active duty Steven Fornicola (Army) and Devaughn Durham (Air Force). For 50 years, our Post’s building has collected many things and ideas that has sustained us over the course of time. Whether treasured or forgotten, we must realize we are bound to pass everything in us to someone else.
Michael Josephson from character counts said it this way: “It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.”
I said all this to simply say, this is our moment to impact and make a difference in the American Legion. As your Commander, I solicit your help and support to ensure Leonard Moore Post is in the conversation, not only in Clayton and Johnston County but also throughout the state of North Carolina and beyond.
Michael Josephson ended his statement by saying "What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone. What will matter is not your memories but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters.”
Make a choice to come out and connect to another veteran. Share your story and in the process, I promise you, no ... I am fully persuaded you will create a Friend. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view ... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” At your post, our post, a post with Character because each one of us count. Come See!!!
For God and Country, Your Commander Devell Bull Durham Jr.
NOTES: FROM THE EDITOR: To ensure we do not miss anyone’s special day, please make certain we have your correct birth date in our records. Please email [email protected] or fill out the birthday list at the monthly meetings. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] with any suggestions, announcements, questions, comments or concerns you wish to see addressed in future publications. NewsLetter Editor -- Gene K.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Paul W. Papineau Navy Vietnam Devaughn T. Durham Air Force Active Steven R. Fornicola, Jr. Army Active
Raymond Payne Air Force Vietnam
AMERICAN LEGION POST 71
NEWSLETTER
VOLUME VIII ISSUE 08
AUGUST 2015
American Legion Leonard Moore Post 71 • 1300 Old US 70W, PO Box 252, Clayton, NC
Department of North Carolina, Division III, District 11 • www.amlegionncpost71.org 2 of 6
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… The monthly meeting of Leonard Moore Post #71 American Legion was held on Thursday night 9 July 2015. Commander Devell Durham called the meeting to order at 19:00 hours. Our Nations Colors were posted by Sergeant at Arms Raymond Capps and Ken Stith. Chaplain Joe Hester gave the opening prayer. Commander led the Post in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble to the American Legion Constitution. Commander Durham wished all July birthdays Bill Dunlap, Raymond Capps, Willie Williams, Gene Tew, Chuck Methot and Don Depoy a Happy Birthday.
Commander introduced our guests for the evening, Chris Hill, son of Jerry Hill, active duty Army, and Prospective new member Ray Payne, he moved here from Washington DC. Each were given an opportunity to give a brief biography. Commander stated July is the anniversary of our original Charter July of 1947.
Cook Committee chaired by Wade Stanley served a delicious meal of “Beanege”, consisting of fried cabbage and either spicy or plain sausage, sliced tomatoes, toast, butter, watermelon, and iced tea.
Commander called the meeting back to order after the meal. Adjutant Ken Parker read the minutes from June 11. A motion was made by Lewis Humphries and seconded by Ralph Blevins to accept the minutes as read. Motion carried.
Commander read the finance report in the absence of the Finance Officer, Cynthia Shaw. A motion was made by Glenn Creech and seconded by Percy Liles to accept the finance report. Motion carried.
Committee reports:
Building and Grounds: Ken Wendel reported the security cameras have all been installed. He thanked Beanie Eckerson, Gene Karaszewski and Commander Durham for their work in completing this task.
Service Officer: In the absence of the Finance Officer, Deloy Shaw, Commander reported the Johnston County Service Office has announced there will be a VA fair on August 26th through the 28th at the Agriculture Building on Hwy 210 Smithfield. Congressman Rouser is scheduled to be there along with representatives from the VA. If you have any questions concerning your benefits or processing of a claim or any other items concerning the VA they should be able to answer those questions. Supposedly there will be raters there to make certified rating on the spot with some claims.
Legion Riders: Bill Dunlap reported they participated in the monthly POW/MIA ceremony at the Capitol and this was a special ceremony due to it falling on the 4th of July.
Color Guard/Honor Guard will suspend practices that were scheduled for the summer months unless something special comes up. Commander announced Post 71 won first place in the Color Guard competition for the Department for 2015.
Rowland Lambdin has accepted the Chairman of the Chicken BBQ. The Executive Board recommended we have our fall BBQ on 11 September. A motion was made by Rowland Lambdin and seconded by Percy Liles to have the BBQ on 11 September. Motion carried.
Harvest Festival Chairman Jerry Hill reported he has secured the buckets they will use at the festival booth for poppy donations.
Sick and Distressed: Bill Spreitzer and Charles Stewart are still in assisted living. Jim McLaurin is still recuperating at home, as is Billie Amos. Pete Perrino’s wife is doing ok. Our Finance Officer, Cynthia Shaw will be have surgery on 23 July at Rex Hospital. Rudolph Allen has had additional tests but no results yet. Theodore Truelove lost his wife the first of July. Herman Vinson has had a heart Cather procedure and is back home now. Commander reminded all to visit some of these veterans that are in assisted living homes if you get a few minutes. It would mean so much to most of them as some do not have family to visit.
Unfinished Business: James Rary Jr. was presented Initiation Certificate
Correspondence: Adjutant read thank you letter from Mary Michael Nixon for the scholarship she was awarded.
New Business: National has raised dues $5.00 effective in January. Executive Board recommends we increase our dues $5.00 to keep up with National. Pete Perrino made a motion that was seconded by John Murray to raise our dues to $35.00 effective 1 January 2016. Commander stated we will move the Flag Retirement from June to sometime in the fall.
AMERICAN LEGION POST 71
NEWSLETTER
VOLUME VIII ISSUE 08
AUGUST 2015
American Legion Leonard Moore Post 71 • 1300 Old US 70W, PO Box 252, Clayton, NC
Department of North Carolina, Division III, District 11 • www.amlegionncpost71.org 3 of 6
Reason being the attendance is very small in June due to so many things happening with school out and vacations. Last year when we had it in October the turnout was much better.
Good of the Legion: The Memorial Brick we voted to purchase at Archer Lodge has been purchased. Commander thanked all members for participating in the Flag Retirement Ceremony. He also thanked the small number of members that showed up for the Adopt a Highway clean up. Our memorial brick sample will be done shortly and all were urged to see First Vice-Commander Beanie Eckerson if you want to purchase one. Mel Rutledge has two new elongated toilet seats that are still in wraps to give someone that wants them. Rudolph Allen was featured in a front page article in the Clayton News Star. We are planning to host the District 11 meeting on 16 October. Commander thanked the cook committee. Jackpot was won by Bob Metera.
There being no further business before the body, Commander Durham asked the Sergeant at Arms to retire the Colors. Chaplain Joe Hester gave the closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned in due form at 20:30 hours.
Respectfully submitted,
Ken Parker, Adjutant
August Cook Committee:
Chairman Rudolph Allen, Emory Howard, Devell Durham, Ken Stith, Irvin Pittman, Marc Cloutier, Lewis (Buzz) Beach,
Darby Witman, Michael Thrasher, Troy Alcorn, John Powell
September Cook Committee:
Chairman Luther Daughtry, Raymond Capps, Elton Thompson, Larry James, Norwood Williams, Royal Williams,
Lewis Humphrey, Alfred Peavy, Brandon Logue, Bill Moran, John Krause
Legion Riders meetings are at 1900 on the second Monday of the month. POW/MIA Ride 10:30 AM first Saturday of each month. Contact Bill Dunlap, Director @ 919-427-3269 or David Keck, Assistant Director @ 919-455-8519 or [email protected] for more information.
Share The Road. Look twice -- Save a life!
BASEMENT NEWS: The basement committee would like to welcome all members to join them each Wednesday from 1830 to 2200 for socializing, camaraderie and war stories. There are many fun activities to enjoy, including Poker, Dominoes, and LCR. With the weather permitting, we will play cornhole as well. The basement is also open on meeting nights at 1800 and immediately following the meeting.
1st Vice Beanie Eckerson
presenting a Certificate of
Appreciation to Dr. Jim Post
of Raleigh Hand Center for
being a Hole Sponsor.
AMERICAN LEGION POST 71
NEWSLETTER
VOLUME VIII ISSUE 08
AUGUST 2015
American Legion Leonard Moore Post 71 • 1300 Old US 70W, PO Box 252, Clayton, NC
Department of North Carolina, Division III, District 11 • www.amlegionncpost71.org 4 of 6
AMERICAN LEGION POST 71
NEWSLETTER
VOLUME VIII ISSUE 08
AUGUST 2015
American Legion Leonard Moore Post 71 • 1300 Old US 70W, PO Box 252, Clayton, NC
Department of North Carolina, Division III, District 11 • www.amlegionncpost71.org 5 of 6
RESOURCES: American Legion website at: http://www.legion.org/ For a free ride to the VA hospital in Durham in the DAV van, call 919-989-7177. They will tell you where you can meet the van. Your elected representatives in Washington, D.C.: U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (NC) U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (NC) U.S. Rep. David Rouzer (7th Dist. Smithfield, Clayton, NC) (202) 224-3154 (202) 224-6342 (202) 225-2731
www.burr.senate.gov/public www.tillis.senate.gov https://rouzer.house.gov Your reps not listed? Check here: http://www.usa.gov/
James Rary
Jr. receiving
a Certificate
of Initiation
from Post 71
Commander
Devell Bull
Durham Jr.
A contingent of Post 71 Legionnaires gathered at First Baptist Church to attend the Memorial Service for fellow
Veteran/Legionnaire Charles Richard Stewart
AMERICAN LEGION POST 71
NEWSLETTER
VOLUME VIII ISSUE 08
AUGUST 2015
American Legion Leonard Moore Post 71 • 1300 Old US 70W, PO Box 252, Clayton, NC
Department of North Carolina, Division III, District 11 • www.amlegionncpost71.org 6 of 6
