Veterans of Lansingburgh, Inc.

777 1st Avenue

Troy, New York 12182

PHONE: (518) 233-8656

WEBSITE: www.thelansingburghvets.com

JUL - SEP 2017 Edition

P.J. HIGGITT, PRESIDENT OF THE VETERANS OF LANSINGBURGH

AWARDS TOM BURTNICK AS THE 2017 GRAND MARSHAL

Many thanks to all who assisted with making our 21st ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE a success!

VETERAN OFFICERS: PRESIDENT: PAUL HIGGITT, JR. TREASURER: TOM DOIN VICE PRESIDENT: BILL ATCHINSON FINANCIAL SECRETARY: RICH LAYTON SECRETARY: LISA SAUNDERS ASST. FINANCIAL SECRETARY: TOM DOUGHERTY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: NED DOUGHERTY TOM QUINN JOE SIMONIK LISA HIGGITT TOM ROONEY JIM THEAKOS BILL NEDOROSCIK HARRY SCOTT TOM YAISER

SONS OF VETERANS OFFICERS: PRESIDENT: MARK SITTS SECRETARY: MARK BAIRD VICE PRESIDENT: MIKE GUENETTE TREASURER: STEVE MAIER

LADIES AUXILIARY OFFICERS: PRESIDENT: PATRICIA SMITH SECRETARY: PAM BENOIT VICE PRESIDENT: ANTOINETTTE GUENETTE TREASURER: SHARON STEVENS

“IF YOU LOVE YOUR FREEDOM, THANK A VET!”

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

It looks like summer has arrived. Our Organization had a very busy spring. We hosted the Jack Hunt Easter

Buffet, the annual Club GI Party, Club Ticket Drawing, Mother’s & Father’s Day brunches, Son’s Annual Steak

Roast, and awarded our annual Veteran's Scholarship. In addition, we participated in the Waterford

Memorial Day Parade and the Troy Flag Day Parade.

On MEMORIAL DAY weekend we conducted our annual wreath laying and flag placement ceremonies at local

cemeteries. In addition, our members traveled around to local cemeteries to ensure that veteran’s graves

had flags on them for the MEMORIAL DAY Holiday. We also participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for

the Veterans Apartments that will be located at 115th Street and 2nd Avenue. The apartments were named

after Specialist Peter M. Guenette. Peter was a Lansingburgh native and fought in Vietnam. Peter gave his life

by jumping on an enemy grenade to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. He was awarded the Medal of Honor

for his actions. I would like to thank the Troy Housing Authority for naming the apartments after Peter. By

doing so, they have ensured that Peter’s name and his courage will live on after we are all gone. On Monday,

May 29th, we held our 21st annual MEMORIAL DAY PARADE. Once again, it was extremely successful thanks

to the hard work of our members who literally spend months preparing for it. True to our motto, rain or

shine, it rained, but the members marched to honor the memory of those men and women who have given

their lives to protect this great nation. I want to take the time to personally thank everyone who helped to

make it a success. Our MEMORIAL DAY parade has become one of the largest annual community events in

the City of Troy. I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate the 2017 VETERANS OF

LANSINGBURGH award recipients: Ned Dougherty (Veteran of the Year), Ruthie Cooper (Auxiliary of the

Year), Joseph Krajchik Jr. (Son of the Year) and Douglas Combs (CCHS / Scholarship Winner). The recipients,

their families and the membership should be very proud of their achievements.

With the arrival of summer, things won’t slow down at the club. There are NO monthly meetings for the

months of July and August, as well as no brunches. The club is closed on the 4th of July, but we will open the

main bar at 5pm. If you are around, stop by and watch the fireworks with us under the pavilion. The SONS

are hosting the Club’s Lobster Bake on July 29th, the VETS Golf tournament is Aug. 26th, our Club hosts the

annual Uncle Sam Graveside Ceremony on Sept. 9th at the Oakwood Cemetery, and the SONS are hosting our

annual Clam Steam on Sept. 23rd. Make sure you check the club website and the bulletin boards to keep

informed of upcoming events. If you have any free time, stop down and volunteer. We are always looking

for help in the kitchen and pavilion over the summer.

Please remember the men and women who are fighting the GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM. It’s the sacrifices

of these brave men and women that allow us to live in the most free and democratic country in the

world. Enjoy your summer and I look forward to seeing you around the club.

Respectfully Submitted, PJ HIGGITT VETERANS OF LANSINGBURGH PRESIDENT

LADIES AUXILIARY NEWS:

Hi ladies… Summer is finally upon us. We have accomplished so much over the beginning of the year. No more meetings until September, however, our biggest fundraiser is still before us. Our Wal-Mart freedom flower sales need volunteers! Contact Stella Mirocki to set up 1 of 36 time slots to sit outside 1 of 6 stores. 2 days in June, 2 days in July, and 2 days in August. Here is your chance to do an easy job and do YOUR part to help YOUR Club! The first Friday in July we have Rob Carson as our live entertainment (7-11). Great music for all. The first Friday in August is DJ Johnny O with karaoke (7-11). Come out and join the fun! We booked Ray Grey for September’s first Friday DJ. Looking forward to seeing you join us! I want to thank each and every one of you who donated your time helping in any way for the success of the Memorial Day festivities. We had a great showing in the Waterford parade, our Club’s 21st Memorial Day parade, and also in the Flag Day parade. Our next meeting is Monday, Sept. 11th (6 pm). Have a wonderful summer. Please do not forget your team commitments.

Patricia Smith, PRESIDENT Phone: 491-6901 sebringp98@yahoo

SONS OF VETERANS NEWS:

Hello everyone,

What a great start to a hopefully a fantastic summer! Great turnout for Memorial Day even though

it rained on our parade. We are getting a lot accomplished. The pavilion roof is on! We've had

entertainment for everyone to enjoy one Saturday a month. Keep your eye on the newsletter

calendar for future dates. Our Lobster bake is in July and our Clam Steam is in September. I'm

looking forward to these events, especially the fun we have putting them on. I encourage everyone

to continue your participation and look forward to working with you. For those of you that don't

know, the Northeast Chapter of Korean War Veterans donated their float to the Sons and it has been

refurbished thanks to the efforts of Bob Jubic, George Jubic, and Steve Maier. Keep your eye on the

Facebook page (Friends of the Veterans of Lansingburgh). I hope you have a safe and fun summer!

As a reminder to all SONS OF VETERAN members, we hold our meetings at 6 pm the 1st Wednesday of each month at the Club. Our next meeting is Wednesday, July 5th at 6pm. It’s important that you attend these meetings so we can get your input. Hope to see you there! Mark Sitts, PRESIDENT Phone: 253-9306

VETERAN’S OF LANSINGBURGH COMMITTEE REPORTS

2017 SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

Congratulations to DOUGLAS COMBS, graduate of CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL, and recipient of the

Veterans of Lansingburgh 2017 Scholarship Award. Douglas represented our club, as this year’s scholarship winner as he took part in our Memorial Day parade. He rode through the parade with our other dignitaries and enjoyed the parade from the reviewing stand before receiving a check in the amount of $1,000 at the Memorial Day Awards Ceremony immediately following the parade. Doug plans to attend Hudson Valley Community College in the fall. He aspires to be a history teacher.

We look forward to providing this scholarship again. Our scholarship is based on “volunteering”, so remind the students to volunteer!

LISA HIGGITT / NED DOUGHERTY SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

.

Thanks to all who have helped out during the last few months! I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR HELP IN

THE KITCHEN. No need to wait for a phone call! See me if you want to book a party, work in the kitchen, have a menu idea or have any questions. Thanks!

PAUL HAYES HEAD CHEF

KITCHEN REPORT / MENU

JULY 7 Steak

JULY 14 Stuffed Chicken

JULY 21 Roast Beef

JULY 28 Baked Ham

JULY 29 SONS Lobster STEAM – Tickets will sell fast!

AUGUST 4 Fish

AUGUST 11 Pork Chops

AUGUST 18 Meat Loaf

AUGUST 25 Steak

SEPTEMBER 1 Lasagna

SEPTEMBER 8 Fish

SEPTEMBER 15 Chicken Parm

SEPTEMBER 22 Baked Ham

SEPTEMBER 23 SONS CLAM STEAM – Tickets will sell fast!

SEPTEMBER 29 Roast Pork

MOST FRIDAY NIGHTS: Chicken wings, chicken tenders, subs, wraps, soup, burgers, fries REMINDER: Brunch will not be served during the summer months to give our volunteer staff a break!

UPCOMING CLUB EVENTS

CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY, JULY 4th!

Families all across America get together on July 4th for backyard celebrations that become the cornerstone of our holiday traditions. It seems that certain times and actions produce a resurgence of patriotism in the U.S. While it can be said that the majority of us are always patriotic and love our country, it is during certain times that patriotism comes to the forefront of our being. This is one of those times that patriotism is showing its beautiful colors in the form of red, white and blue; and we are proud to be Americans! The Veterans of Lansingburgh will be open at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4th. Stop down and enjoy the Albany fireworks from the Club pavilion or inside.

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!”

21st ANNUAL VETERANS OF LANSINGBURGH GOLF TOURNAMENT

AUGUST 26TH AT FREAR PARK

8:00 a.m. shotgun start / 4 man scramble - $85 per person

NCLUDES: 18 hole green fees, cart, gifts, prizes, hamburgers/hotdogs (10th hole), draft beer and soda at the Vets after golf. Lunch begins at 2 pm followed by prize raffles and 50/50. See the bartender at the Club for a signup sheet.

- Please pay in full when you turn in your sheet. Space is limited to 128 players (1st come/1st served)!

QUESTIONS? Contact Ned Dougherty (378-9542), Butch O’Grady (470-3907), Ed Goodwill (369-3387), Ed Jackson (577-9395) or Dick Porter (235-2819)

The Uncle Sam Graveside Ceremony

Saturday, September 9th at Sam Wilson’s grave in Oakwood Cemetery

The ceremony is hosted by the Vets Club to honor our Nation’s symbol.

NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS: SONS of Veterans: Wednesday, JULY 5, 2017 (6 pm)

LADIES Auxiliary: Monday, SEPT 11, 2017 (6 pm) VETERAN members: Monday, SEPT 11, 2017 (7 pm)

SONS CLAM STEAM - September 23rd

See Club posters or a SONS Officer for more information. Tickets will be limited!

Must be 21! No coolers!

MONTHLY 50/50

Winner is drawn at 8 pm on the

last day of the month.

Sell the winning ticket and get

$25 of the winnings!

The more we sell the more

YOU CAN WIN!

See the bartender if you are

interested in buying or selling

monthly 50/50 tickets.

HERE ARE OUR MOST RECENT

WINNERS!

MONTH

JAN 2017 FEB 2017

MAR 2017 APR 2017 MAY 2017

SOLD BUY

RICH LAYTON RICH LAYTON KEN MIELNIK LORI WINNE

MIKE FARRELL

WINNERS

TOM QUINN RICH LAYTON KEN MIELNIK LORI WINNE

MIKE FARRELL

AMOUNT

$430 $425 $437 $438 $558

TICKET #

997 388 973 415 448

SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO MADE A DONATION TO THE COMEDY NIGHT RAFFLE AND/OR MONETARY

DONATIONS FOR OUR ROOF PROJECT!

KAY FRANK DEB TURCOTTE LISA HIGGITT THE SONS OF VETERANS MARY ELLEN MCCARTHY LANSINGBURGH SCHOOL DISTRICT PAM BENOIT LANSINGBURGH H.S. HISTORY CLUB BILL ATCHINSON WARREN W. FANE, INC. BUTCH & ELAINE O’GRADY

The winner of the BBQ Grill

NICK BERNARDI Ticket # 056

sold by Terri Casey

SIGN-IN-LOG THE CLUB “SIGN-IN LOG” IS TO BE USED FOR ALL NON MEMBERS. THIS IS A STATE LAW. ALL NON-MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO SIGN IN USING THE GUEST BOOK LOCATED INSIDE THE FRONT DOOR. MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO MEET THEIR GUEST AT THE DOOR. GUESTS MUST PRINT THEIR FULL NAME. SPONSORS MUST BE PAID MEMBERS AND THE SPONSOR MUST BE PRESENT. *REMEMBER, WHEN YOU LEAVE, YOUR NON-MEMBER GUEST MUST ALSO LEAVE.

SICKNESS AND DISTRESS

There is a dry wipe board at the front bar to let the membership know when a member is sick, in the hospital or in need of help. To make this work, we need all the members to let someone know when they know a fellow member is in need. If you know of someone, call the Club (518-233-8656) or call me at home (272-3663) or my cell (428-3782). I will make sure we get a card out to them and check on them periodically. It’s a matter of members taking care of members. MIKE FARRELL, CHAPLAIN

HONOR A DECEASED VETERAN: The HONOR A DECEASED VETERAN is held the 2nd Monday of each month at 8:30 a.m. at the Legislative Chambers of the Rensselaer County Office Building in Troy. Each month a deceased VETERAN from RENSSELAER COUNTY is honored for his/her military service and community contributions. All you need to do is complete a simple form. See P.J. HIGGITT for more information.

From the Editor Hope you enjoyed this edition of the newsletter. If you are not reading this newsletter

online. Please go to our website (www.thelansingburghvets.com) to stay up-to-date with all club activities, events, photos, and veteran links. If you are receiving the newsletter in the mail but have access to a computer, please contact me to go paperless and I’ll take you off of our mailing list to save the Club the cost of postage and copying. Remember to volunteer at “your” club. Interested in taking over the newsletter? See me! And most importantly SUPPORT OUR

TROOPS! Thank you! LISA HIGGITT