Our Veterans Day Program was well done, with a decent size audience in the Auditorium of Grass Valley Veterans Building. The Union Paper covered our program, before and after. Thank you Union. And thanks to our great speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Josh Tull, U-2 Pilot serving at Beale AFB. Singers, Donna Mattson and Mike Baker entertained the crowd with beautiful, patriotic songs. We honored those Veterans we recently lost, along with others from the past. And after our Honor Guard, headed by Pete Vasilakos, fired three gun volleys, Mike Baker played Taps, followed by Paul McKim on bagpipes. Then Chef Brian Bliss served a delicious lunch in our dining hall, thanks to Melise Munroe and her Auxiliary Ladies. Lunch was free to Veterans, along with free Bloody Marys in the Bunker Bar.

Our next Executive Board/General Meeting will be on the 1st Tuesday, 5 December, at 4:00 PM. Please note the date and time, and do your best to make it.

Thanks to Pete Vasilakos, a great country band, “Robby James and The Streets of Bakersfield,” will provide a dance on Saturday, 16 December, at 6:00 - 10:00 PM, in our auditorium, for only $15. Taco Felix will have food available, as we will have drinks at our bar.

I was recently contacted by Al Delsid, Vice Commander of Sons of American Legion (SAL), Area 1. He asked if our SAL is active. As far as I know, we do not have any active members of SAL since our last active member, Randall Stallings, passed away. I’m reaching out to see if there is any interest in Post 130 SAL? If not, Al will close the unit. So, please let me know.

John Madieros is Still crying out for HELP. He needs a couple more BARTENDERS for Backup. Between himself as Finance Officer and Bar Manager, all he has to help is his assistant, Linda Robertson. We have Bar use by bowlers on Wednesday and Thursday nights, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. Besides that, currently, the Bar is used only a couple times a month. So, PLEASE step up and volunteer. All tips go to the bartenders. You may contact John by email: johnmadieros@aol.com, or phone: (530) 273- 4988.

All for now…

Claude

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Stand Down had a most successful annual event 13 and 14 October, from 8:30 AM until 2:30 PM, in the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Some 265 Veterans in attendance were supported by over 38 veteran support organizations. Breakfast and lunch was served thanks to the efforts of John Abas. Singer song writer, Chris Crockett, entertained Friday morning. Let’s thank organizer, Melise Munroe, for all her hard work. And thanks to ALL who supported Stand Down.

The 1st Tuesday in November, the 7th, our Executive Board/General Meeting will take place at 4:00 PM. Please do your best to make it.

On the coming Veteran’s Day, 11 November 2023, we will have quite a Program starting at 10:00 AM in the upstairs Auditorium of the Grass Valley Veterans Hall. Speaking, we will have U-2 pilot, Josh Tull, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, from Beale Air Force Base. There will be patriotic songs sung by our very talented singers… Breona Calvert, Technical Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, Donna Mattson and Mike Baker. The Program will end around 11:00 AM with our Honor Guard firing three volleys, playing Taps, followed by Bagpipes by Paul McKim. Lunch will follow the Program in the downstairs Dining Room… Pulled Pork, Ranch Beans, Fresh Fruit and Cookies, by outstanding Hospitality House Chef, Brian Bliss, for only $1… FREE to Veterans. You will not want to miss this Program.

Veteran, Stan Zabka, died 7 October, 2023, after serving in WWII with seven of his brothers, who all survived the War. He made some very entertaining presentations for Post 130. His service will be at 11:00 AM, 4 November, at Twin Cities Church.

All for now… Claude

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This year's 9/11 ceremony was well organized between our adjutant, Mike Hauser, and Grass Valley Chamber CEO, Robin Davies. It took place on Mill Street, near the Del Oro Theater, where we had excellent speakers and singers and a lot of first responders, both firefighters and law enforcement. However, there was not a huge crowd of onlookers, as it was not that well advertised. We will put it out better next year. Thanks to Donna Mattson for her beautiful job singing God Bless America.

Then on Wednesday, 13 September, thanks to Mike Hauser’s planning and coordination, we had a large gathering and drive by at Eskaton for the 102nd Birthday of Lou Conter, the last survivor on the Arizona when bombed and sunk in Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. There were active duty servicemen and servicewomen from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, law enforcement, firefighters, various veteran group members, and many others. Lou was seated in front of his garage door, and the people either marched or drove slowly. While piloting seaplanes and saving many lives during WWII, Lou survived being shot down twice. What a Hero! Thank you So much for your service to our country, Lou.

The 1st Tuesday in October, the 3rd, our Executive Board/General Meeting will take place at 4:00 PM. Please do your best to make it.

Stand Down Nevada County will be held this year at Nevada County Fairgrounds, Friday and Saturday, October 14 and 15, from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. It’s open for free to any veteran in Nevada County. Our post will provide lunch on Saturday. As in the past, veterans will have free services from many veteran support organizations.

On upcoming Veteran’s Day, 11 November 2023, we will have quite a program starting at 10:00 AM in the upstairs auditorium of the Grass Valley Veterans Hall. Speaking, we will have U-2 pilot, Josh Tull, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, from Beale Air Force Base. There will be patriotic songs sung by our very talented singers. The program will end around 11:00 AM with our Honor Guard firing three volleys, playing taps, followed by bagpipes. We’re planning on following the program with lunch in the downstairs dining room. You will not want to miss this program.

All for now… Claude

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Our WWII Veteran and long time member, Frank Lujan’s Memorial Service, on 2 August, was quite well done. It started off with our Honor Guard firing three volleys and playing taps in the parking lot, with everyone present. Our Commander then presented the flag in the bunker to widow, Suzzane. The ceremony was emceed by Frank’s good friend, who always supported him, taking him to medical appointments, etc., Tom Munroe. And our most active Auxiliary provided delicious food. Thanks to all those who came out to respect this WWII hero.

On Tuesday, 1 August, we had a good turnout for our Executive Board Meeting. Without other members present, we postponed our General Meeting. This coming 1st Tuesday, 5 September, we will meet at 4:00 PM for a combination of meetings, Executive Board and General. This year’s Nine Eleven (9/11) ceremony will take place on Mill Street, Grass Valley, at 9:00 AM. Mike Hauser, together with Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce, has put together what should be a most appropriate and well attended program. Stand by for more details.

We’re planning our Veteran’s Day Program, at 10:00 - 11:00 AM, on Saturday, 11 November, in the auditorium of Grass Valley Veterans Hall. It will begin with our Color Guard presenting the colors and the singing of our national anthem. We will have an active duty U-2 pilot from Beale AFB, Lieutenant Colonel, Josh Tull speak. There will be exceptional patriotic music. And we will close at 11:00 AM (11,11,11) with the firing of three volleys, taps and bagpipes. We’re planning to have Lunch in the downstairs Dining Hall after the program. You will not want to miss it.

All for now… Claude

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The 4th of July Grass Valley Parade, led by our Color Guard, Pete Vasilakos, Dale Gurley, Steve Hoss and Don Costa, was extremely well attended with a huge excited crowd. Oral Stallings drove the Honor Guard Bus right behind the Color Guard. Between Melise Munroe, Debbie Sullivan, Paul Keasbury and myself, we handed out 400 U.S. Flags. Thanks to all participants.

Our Color Guard will help start off the 10th Lake Wildwood Injured Veteran Golf Tournament at 12:30 PM, on Wednesday, 26 July. Our Post made a donation and we’ll have a Post banner at one of the course holes. Over the past 9 years, these tournaments have collected over $500,000 to support local injured veterans. Thank you Dan Pray and your crew.

On Tuesday, 1 August, at 6:00 PM, we will have an Executive Board Meeting at 4:00 PM, followed by a General Meeting at 5:00M. We had planned for a 1 August 6:00 PM BBQ chicken dinner by Chef John Abas. But we had only 3 people sign up… so it’s cancelled.

WWII Veteran Frank Lujan’s Memorial Service will be on Wednesday, 2 August, at 11:00 AM in the “Bunker” Bar. Frank fought in the Battle of the Bulge, surviving most dangerous encounters with the German Army. He was also involved in the Korean War. To show respect for this war hero, try your best to attend his memorial.

All for now… Claude

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Our Memorial Day Program on 28 May in Memorial Park was very well attended and, with various Veteran and Veteran support groups participating in our Wreath Laying Ceremony. Our three speakers, Grass Valley Mayor, Jan Arbuckle, Grass Valley Chamber CEO, Robin Davies, and County Veteran Services Officer, David West, all did an excellent job explaining the “Day” and what it means. Local Boy Scout 855 was there in support, raising and lowering Colors. And singers, Donna Mattson, Judy Gurley and Barbra (Babs) Conner sang most beautifully. Of course our Honor Guard shot three volleys and played Taps, followed by Paul McKim on bagpipes. Thanks to All.

Our 6 June dinner, prepared by Chef John Abas, and served by our Auxiliary, was most delicious. Thank you John and Auxiliary.

Congressman Kevin Kiley will be speaking to Veterans on Thursday, 29 June, at 4:00 PM, in the Remembrance Room. Hopefully, you have called in a reservation.

Our Color Guard will lead the Grass Valley 4th of July Parade, with the Honor Guard Bus close behind. The Auxiliary will also participate with a couple vehicles. Post and Auxiliary Unit members will be passing out small Flags to the crowd. So, come on out and help. We’re meeting in the Grass Valley Veterans Hall Parking Lot at 9:00 AM.

The 1st Tuesday in July falls on the 4th. So we will not have a July Executive Board or General Meeting. Our next Executive Board and General Meetings will be on the 1st Tuesday 1 August, with the Executive Meeting at 4:00 PM and the General Meeting at 5:00 PM.

Sadly, we recently lost a WWII U.S. Army Veteran member, Frank Lujan. He fought and survived some most dangerous encounters with the German Army.

All for now… Claude

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Armed Forces Day was Saturday, 20 May this year, which took place in downtown Grass Valley. Our Post donated $500 to pay for 50 dinners for active duty and their families who attended. Tom Munroe and I passed out the meal tickets. The last Arizona survivor, Lou Conter, LCDR, U.S. Navy (Retired) was there and spoke. General attendance was quite a bit less than last year. But it was a very well orchestrated event. Barbra “Babs” Conner started back doing Karaoke in the Bunker Bar on Mother’s Day, 14 May, at 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM. She was extremely well received by her most excited singers. She plans to have Karaoke every 2nd and 4th Sundays at the same time, with the exception of Sunday, 28 May, which will be her deceased partner and Vietnam Veteran, Colfax Willy (Bill Dudley’s) Memorial in the Auditorium, from 4:00 to 9:00 PM.

On Monday 29 May, we will have a MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY in Grass Valley Memorial Park, at 11:00 AM. Various Veteran support groups will participate in a Wreath Laying Ceremony. Speakers will be Robin Davies, CEO, Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce, Grass Valley Mayor, Jan Arbuckle, and David West, County Veteran Service Officer and Marine Veteran. There will be several patriotic songs by Donna Mattson and Barbra Conner, and Judy Gurley, ending with a Three Volley Gun Salute and Taps by our Honor Guard, and Bagpipes by Paul McKim. You will not want to miss it!

At 4:00 PM, on 6 June, we will have our next Executive Board Meeting. It will be soon followed by our next General Meeting at 5:00, just before our June Dinner at 6:00. Dinner will be prepared by Chef John Abas, and put on by our Auxiliary. We’re talking a delicious Rib Dinner, for a mere $15.. Call in to make your reservations at: (530) 575-7002.

All for now… Claude

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What an extremely successful CARS KARAOKE AND KIDS Event, Saturday, 15 April, thanks to our dedicated, hard working Adjutant, Mike Hauser, who put it all together. Thank you MIKE! And thanks to all who participated that day.

Saturday, 22 April, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM, there will be a Western Hoedown Dance in the Auditorium saying farewell to Jamie Hogan, who has been a great supporter of our Legion Post. There will be an upstairs Bar and food by Taco Felix.

Armed Forces (Military Appreciation) Day will be Saturday, 20 May this year, which will take place in downtown Grass Valley. Our Post will be donating $500 to pay for 50 dinners for active duty and their families who attend.

Barbra “Babs” Conner will start back doing Karaoke in the Bunker Bar on Mother’s Day, 14 May, at 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM. She plans to have Karaoke every 2nd and 4th Sundays at the same time, with the exception of Sunday, 28 May, which will be her deceased partner and Vietnam Veteran, Colfax Willy (Bill Dudley’s) Memorial in the Auditorium, from 4:00 to 9:00 PM.

Then on Monday 29 May, we will have a MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY in Grass Valley Memorial Park, at 11:00 AM. Various Veteran support groups will participate in a Wreath Laying Ceremony. Retired County Supervisor, Nate Beason, Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired), will speak. There will be several patriotic songs by Donna Mattson and Barbra Conner, ending with a Three Volley Gun Salute and Taps by our Honor Guard. You will not want to miss it!

Our next Dinner will be on Tuesday, 6 June, at 6:00 PM, prepared by Chef John Abas, and put on by our Auxiliary. We’re talking delicious Chicken Marsala Dinner, for a mere $15.

All for now… Claude

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Tuesday afternoon, March 14th, when John Madeiros entered our Office, he saw massive amounts of sewage on the floor. He called me and I immediately drove in to assess the damage. I called the County and they promptly responded calling in a contractor to begin cleanup and repairs that afternoon. Evidently, according to the County, the Saturday before, when the building was designated as a warming facility, there was a major sewage problem upstairs which caused the back up.

We assembled a group of six members on Monday, March 20th, to relocate Office furniture and supplies into the Bunker and the old Office behind. Thanks to John Madeiros, Mike Hauser, David Barras, Dave Craigen, Laurie Stanton and myself, within an hour of assisting the County’s crew, the Office was bare of furniture. As of Tuesday a week later, the Office carpet has been removed awaiting replacement. The County is planning on installing a backflow preventer to avoid a repeat. There were also several water leaks, mostly in the Bar and adjacent areas, which were pointed out to the County.

We will Host a Boy and Girl Scout Bowling day, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Saturday, March 25th. Mike Hauser is providing Pizza, and there will be sodas and water provided from the Bar.

On Vietnam Veterans Day, March 29, at 11:30 AM, we will host a Lunch gathering at Trailblazer Pizza, at the entrance to Alta Sierra. Any Vietnam era Veteran.

On Saturday, April 1, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, our Post will support Gold Country Seniors with their moving into a close by facility. We plan to provide Lunch and Bus transportation to and from the site just on the far side of the school.

Come join the fun and support local Scouts, Saturday, April 15th, from 12 Noon to 4:00, at our CARS, KARAOKE and KIDS event. We already have several classic cars signed up for the Car Show in our parking lot. The Boy and Girl Scouts will have a Bowling Roll-off, and we’ll have a BBQ Lunch available. Public entry is FREE. Steve McCoy will be our Karaoke Host for the day. Anyone with a classic or military car can enter it for a mere $10 donation. Call in to reserve your spot at: (530) 575-7002.

Jamie Hogan is hosting a Country Western Hoedown Dance on Saturday, April 22nd, at 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, for a mere $12. Our most supportive dancer and singer is planning to move away soon. So, this may be your final time to be a part of her fun event.

Barbra “Babs” Conner took a fall and hurt her jaw. She is expecting to be recovered by May when she’s planning on starting back Bunker Karaoke on the 2nd and 4th Sundays, at 12 noon to 4:00.

At our March General Meeting, we voted to change the time of our 3rd Tuesday Meeting, from 5:00 PM, to 10:00 AM for future meetings.

All for now… Claude

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We had a most successful Valentine’s Dinner on Tuesday, February 7th. John Abas and crew prepared a delicious meatloaf dinner, served by our most delightful Auxiliary ladies. Babs sang some beautiful love songs, followed by some of our karaoke singers.

Our next General Meeting will be on the 3rd Tuesday, March 21st, at 5:00 PM in the Remembrance Room. Immediately following, we will host a Scout Dinner, at 6:00 PM, in the Dining Hall.

Vietnam Veterans Day, first designated by the U.S. Senate in 2011, and declared by the President in 2012, is March 29. We have been meeting ever since. This year we’re gathering for lunch at Trailblazer Pizza, Alta Sierra, on Wednesday, March 29th, at 11:30 AM. So, if interested in meeting with and sharing with other vets, join us.

Karaoke will come back to the Bunker on Sunday, February 26, from 12:00 noon to 4:00. Barbra (Babs) Conner will KJ once again! She’ll look for a $5 donation at the door. And bring potluck food to share. It will then continue twice per month, on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 12:00 noon to 4:00.

We’ll be having our next Executive Board Meeting the on the 1st Tuesday, March 7, at 10:00 AM in the Bunker.

All for now… Claude

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You will not want to miss our VALENTINES DINNER… Tuesday, 7 February, at 6:00 PM. The Auxiliary will be hosting the Dinner… decorating the Dining Hall for an early Valentine's sweetheart celebration. John Abas will prepare a delicious plate of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, vegetables, rolls, salad and dessert, for only $15. The most talented performers, Sierra Beauts, Babs and Jamie, will be singing beautiful love songs. So, call in your reservations at: (530) 575-7002.

Our “Bunker” Bar and Bowling Alley have been most busy, with Bowling League play on Wednesday and Thursday nights. And we’ve also had some private party rentals of both the Bowling Alley and Bar. Many thanks go out to Bowling Alley Managers, Laurie Stanton and Debra Barras. Laurie has expended many hours improving and updating the Alley. And Debra has also done a lot, working with Laurie and our customers. Of course, our Bar Manager, John Abas, along with our Assistant Bar Manager, Linda Robertson, have kept our Bunker Bar running very smoothly between the two of them, with little to no other help. If you would like to bartend, please contact John.

Our Planning Committee has recently met twice to plan events for 2023. In addition to our monthly newsletter, you can find events posted on our website, Frank Gallino Post 130 American Legion, www.gvlegionpost130.org, thanks to our IT specialist, Laurie Stanton.

Our next Executive Board Meeting will be at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, 7 February, in the Bunker. And our next General Meeting will be 5:00 PM, Tuesday, 21 February, in the Remembrance Room. See you there.

All for now… Claude

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Happy New Year!

Our December 7, Pearl Harbor Day Program/Lunch was somewhat light in attendance, but quite impressive for those of us who made it there. The Program began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by our National Anthem, beautifully sung by Donna Mattson. Jamie Hogan then played a 1940’s song. Our Commander then told the story of what happened during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the morning of December 7, 1941. Next came some most interesting stories of the War, told by the five WWII Veterans there. After another 1940’s song, our Honor Guard fired Three Volleys, and played Taps. Lunch was delicious roast pork, baked potato, vegetables, rolls and dessert, by John Abas.

Our Honor Guard once again participated in DAR’s “Wreaths Across America,” held at 12:00 noon, 17 December at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. At the end of the one hour Ceremony, we fired Three Volleys, followed by assisting with the placing of wreaths on veteran graves.

Later that day, 17 December, we held a Dance in the auditorium, featuring “Robby James and the Streets of Bakersfield.” Felix Taco provided delicious and reasonable dinner food. Our Bar, manned by John Madeiros, Linda Robertson and Corbin Smith, did well. The Auxiliary ran the door, and held a raffle. This most successful annual country dance is due to the work of our 2nd Vice Commander, Pete Vasilakos, supported by our Adjutant, Mike Hauser.

The following day, Sunday, December 18, Barbra “Babs” Conner, held a Karaoke Christmas Party in our “Bunker” Bar. It was well attended and very much enjoyed by our Karaoke folks, most of whom came every Sunday over nearly nine years. We’re hoping to start back Bunker Karaoke, probably on a monthly basis in the new year.

Our next General Meeting is scheduled for the 3rd Tuesday, the 17th of January, 2023, at 5:00 PM in the Remembrance Room. Our next Executive Board Meeting is scheduled for the 1st Tuesday, 7 February, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Later that day, 7 February, at 6:00 PM, we’re planning to host a Valentine’s Day Dinner, in our Dining Hall. Stand by for the details.

All for now… Claude

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