What a most amazing Veterans Day program, in the Grass Valley Veterans Building, on 11 November 2024. We started off with scouts leading our pledge of allegiance. That was followed by Auxiliary Chaplain, Pam Biertuempfel, giving her invocation so well. Next was American Legion Finance Officer, John Madeiros, a Specialist 5 Army Medic who served 1968/1969 in Vietnam. He spoke so well, without any notes. Then, Ed Wydra, Major, U.S. Air Force (Retired)… KC-135 Pilot who also served in Vietnam, spoke most well. He was followed by Auxiliary Lady, Donna Mattson, singing service songs, as veterans responded by coming to the front of the auditorium when their service song was sung. Our Honor Guard shot three volleys, which was followed by taps played on two trumpets by the Nevada Union High School Band. That was followed with Paul McKim playing Amazing Grace so well on bagpipes. At the end of the program, Chicago Park Garden Club's Elsie Durgin and Carlotta Wixon-Welker, dedicated their Blue Star Veteran Plaque, sealed on the front of the Building. Adjutant Mike Hauser organized the scouts and the high school band… thanks Mike.

Our next Executive Board/General Meeting will be on Tuesday, 3 December 2024, at 5:00 PM, in the Bunker.

We will support and participate in "Wreaths Across America," at 12:00 noon, on Saturday, 14 December, at St. Patrick's Cemetery. Lou Conter, Lieutenant Commander U.S. Navy (Retired) will be honored. He saved lives as an E-5, 7 December 1941, on USS Arizona, when hit in Pearl Harbor. He later flew sea planes and was twice shot down in WWII. He served in the Korean War, and during Vietnam, retiring in 1966. He passed away last year at 101 years old.

We will host an American Legion Dance at 6:00PM, on Saturday, 21 December. We'll have a great band playing, "Robby James," thanks to Pete Vasilakos who put it together.

All for now,
Claude

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This year’s Veteran Stand Down, on 18, 19 October, was another success, thanks to Melise Munroe, members of our Auxiliary, and several Roamin Angels. Chris Crockett was there singing on Saturday, supporting our Veterans. Thanks to ALL who helped.

Barbara “Babs” Conner leads Karaoke most every 2nd and 4th Sundays, in the Bunker Bar, at 1:00 - 5:00 PM. Anyone may attend.

Our Auxiliary will serve breakfast downstairs, before the Veteran’s Day Program, at 8:00 AM, 11 November. It will be biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and bacon…
Free to Veterans; $5 to Non-Veterans.

This year’s Veterans Day Program will take place at 10:00 AM, in Grass Valley Veterans Hall Auditorium, on Monday, 11 November. Local Boys and Girl Scouts will participate, along with the Nevada Union High School Band, led by Dave Fowler…thanks to coordination by Mike Hauser. We will have two Vietnam Veterans speak… John Madeiros and Ed Wydra. Our great singer, Donna Mattson, will perform. Chicago Park Garden Club will dedicate a Blue Star Memorial Veteran Plaque, at Program’s end, in front of the building.

So, come on out! See ya there.
Claude

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We sponsored Nevada County Health and Wellness on Thursday, 29 August, in Grass Valley Veterans Center Auditorium… it was a most supported event by many organizations. Thanks to Jean Hauser and John Abas for preparing the lunch. Thanks to Mike Hauser for coordinating it. And thanks to the Auxiliary for serving and cleaning up.

Our Honor Guard supported the Grass Valley 9/11 Program, on Mill Street.

We will be having an Executive Board Meeting at 5:00 PM on
Tuesday, 1 October, in the Bunker. Mike Hauser will be leading it.

We’re planning our Veterans Day Event, on Monday morning,
11 November, at 10:00AM - 11:00AM, in the Grass Valley
Veterans Building Auditorium.
Come on out

All for now,
Claude

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We supported the Injured Veterans Golf Tournament in Lake Wildwood on Wednesday, 31 July. It was “Sold Out,” and a real success! Our Color Guard was there for the opening.

We also supported the “Official Unveiling Ceremony” at McKnight Crossing, at 4:00 PM, on Thursday, 1 August.

Grass Valley will be hosting a “9/11 Ceremony,” on Wednesday morning, 11 September, on Mill Street.

We will be helping sponsor Nevada County Health and Wellness, at 11:00 AM, on Thursday, 29 August, at the Grass Valley Veterans Hall. We will be providing a Free BBQ Lunch, by Jean Hauser and John Abbas, and our Bar will be open. Our Auxiliary will be providing labor assistance.

The owner of Friar Tucks wants to do some free dinners for veterans. We’ll let you know when?

We’ll be having our Executive Board Meeting on Tuesday, 3 September, at 5:00 PM in the Bunker. See you there

All for now…
Claude

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We are once again supporting the “Injured Veterans Golf Tournament,” in Lake Wildwood. It’s been a huge success in past years. You can participate and golf in it for $140 per player. You can register at IVGT.us, or contact Dan Pray at danpray911@comcast.net, or Brad Crumpley at bradcrumpley@yahoo.com.

We are supporting the “Official Unveiling Ceremony” at McKnight Crossing, on Thursday, 1 August, Ceremony at 4:00 PM. There will be a Bud Anderson Statue unveiling. And it will also be at 10:00 AM, on Friday, 2 August.

Coming up will be our Executive Board Meeting, on Tuesday, 6 August, at 5:00 PM, in the Remembrance Room. Hope to see you there

All for now…
Claude

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Our 22 June Dance was a Great success, due to the hard work of several members
and Auxiliary… Pete Vasilakos, who organized it and helped set it up, with help
from “Friendship Girls;” Linda Robertson and Barbra “Babs” Conner, who set up,
worked and broke down the upstairs Bar; Laurie Stanton, who set up the on-line
ticket sales, and worked with Holli Woods and Theresa Roberts doing tickets at
the Front Desk. Ray’s “Dream And The Dreamer” Band were So good, with many dancers on the floor during each tune. And there was Felix Taco serving a very reasonable and good tasting dinner.
Thanks to all of you.

Our “Bunker” Bar did quite well at the last “Native Sons Dinner,” due to John Madeiros and Linda
Robertson.

The Auxiliary is planning a Dinner, on the 1st Tuesday, 6 August, at 6:00 PM. I’m sure it will be very
reasonable and good.

Coming up will be our Executive Board Meeting, on Tuesday, 2 July, at 5:00 PM, in the Bunker. Hope
to see you there.

All for now…
Have a Very Happy 4th of July
Claude

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Thanks to the hard work of our Adjutant, Mike Hauser, the Armed Forces Day Event at Grass Valley Airport was done so well and well attended. And there were over 50 classic cars there which people enjoyed seeing. The opening ceremony included the swearing into the military of many young boys and girls. A lot of people enjoyed flying on classic military airplanes.

We had a most good turnout for our Memorial Day Program at Grass Valley Memorial Park. There were several good speakers: U.S. Marine Veteran, Gary Miller, Grass Valley Mayor, Jan Arbuckle, Veteran Service Officer, David West, Navy Vietnam Veteran Corpsman, Rick Barringer. And what Great singers… Donna Mattson, Judy Gurley, Barbra “Babs” Conner, Terry Allwein, and Mike Baker, who also played taps on his trumpet. Several veteran and Veteran support groups dedicated Wreaths for our fallen Veterans. Our Color Guard and Honor Guard also did a very good job. Thank you all for your support. If you missed the Program, check it out on our website, which Laurie Stanton manages.

Our Executive Board will meet on Tuesday, 4 June, at 5:00 PM in the Bunker. Any member is welcome to join us there.

See you there.
Claude

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Our Auxiliary put on a great Dinner on 2 April. The next one will be Mexican, the 1st Tuesday, 7 May, at 6:00 PM. That will be just after our Executive Board/General Meeting, upstairs in the Remembrance Room at 5:00.
Thanks to Mike Hauser… The Scouts had a good turnout for Bowling and Lunch, on Saturday, 23 March.
The day before Vietnam Veterans Day, 28 March, we had 29 veterans show at Trailblazer Pizza. We went around the room giving everyone there a chance to tell their story. Was a very interesting time.
On Saturday, 18 May, which is Armed Forces Day, there will be a great event at the Nevada County Airport, with many old and present military aircraft there to check out, and so many veterans gathering. You won't want to miss it.
At 11:00 AM, on Monday, 27 May, Memorial Day, we will have an event at Grass Valley Memorial Park. Veterans and veteran support Groups will honor deceased veterans with wreaths. We will have a couple veteran speakers, great singers, and will end with firing Three Volleys and Taps, followed by bagpipes.
A lot going on in May. See you there.

All for now.
Claude

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Our 5 April scouts dinner was well done. Boy scouts presented the Flag and led the
Pledge of Allegiance. A girl scout sang our national anthem and presented the
POW MIA Table. It was very well attended. Another great dinner by Jean Hauser.

The Auxiliary will be having a 1st Tuesday lasagna dinner and “Bingo Night” on 2 April,
at 6:00P, for only $18. We will be having our Executive Board Meeting just before the
dinner, at 5:00PM in the Remembrance Room.

We recently installed a new Ice maker in the Bunker, purchased by Honor Guard member, James
O’Neal. James also donated $1,000 to repair the air conditioning on the Honor Guard Bus.
Thank you very much, James.

After being our hard working bartender for quite some time, Linda Robertson was recently
designated our new bar manager. Appreciate your dedication, Linda.

Scouts will be using our Bowling Alley on Saturday, 23 March, at 11:30 - 2:00, with lunch at
12:00 - 1:00.

We will be hosting a Vietnam Veterans Day Event, at Trailblazers Pizza, at 11:30 - 1:00, on
Thursday, 28 March. Any veteran may come to support those who sacrificed themselves back then.

All for now,
Claude

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Post 130 will host the District 7 Monthly Meeting on Saturday, 2 March, at 9:00AM, in Grass Valley Veterans Hall Auditorium. Our Auxiliary will meet in the Dining Room, followed by serving Lunch. We’ll need some helpers to set up chairs and tables in the Auditorium at 8:00AM. All members are invited to District Monthly Meetings… so come on out.

After mentioning the success of our December dance, Pete Vasilakos talked about planning future dances… 22 June, 26 October and 21 December.

After recently losing his oldest Son, John Madeiros is looking for someone to help him by becoming Bar Manager.

Adjutant, Mike Hauser, is working with the County, replacing the Rood Center Veteran Display. Local veteran groups may donate to it. Mike Hauser and Melise Monroe are working with senior groups to have veteran meetings. Armed Forces Day, Saturday, 18 May, at Grass Valley Airport. There will be an Awards Dinner in the Grass Valley Veterans Hall Auditorium the Friday night before, 17 May.

We will have Lunch on Vietnam Veteran’s Day, Good Friday this year, at 11:30AM on 29 March, at Trailblazer Pizza. That’s when Veterans meet to talk about their experiences.

We will have our Executive Board/General Meeting at 5:00PM, Tuesday, 5 March. That will happen just before the Scout Dinner in the Dining Hall at 6:00PM

All for now,

Claude

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In December, the Wreaths Across America representatives held a ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cemetery to honor and remember veterans by placing Christmas wreaths on all veteran headstones. Post 130’s color guard presented the colors and our honor guard shot three volleys and played Taps. All branches of the military were represented in a special wreath presentation in a display of gratitude. The ceremony was well attended by the community.

On December 16th, Post 130 held a dance, hosted again by Pete Vasilakos. The dance was attended by over 100 people with the Robby James and the Streets of Bakersfield keeping dancers moving. Thanks again to Pete for his efforts!

March 5th, we will have a dinner in honor of the Boy and Girl Scouts. The Girl Scouts will entertain by performing songs. They will also be selling their cookies for their troop. On March 23 from noon to 3:00pm, we will host the Scout Bowling; about 60- 70 are expected.

Thanks to all members who have paid their dues, we are at 80%. Please help us reach our 100% goal by paying your dues.

Mark your calendar! On Saturday, March 2nd, we will host the next American Legion Post and Auxiliary District 7 Meeting. The Post will meet in the Auditorium and the Auxiliary will meet downstairs. The Auxiliary will offer lunch. If you want to learn more about us or would like to give input, consider coming. All Legion/Auxiliary members are invited to attend. Our next Post Executive/General Meeting is February 6th at 4pm. Following our meeting, the Auxiliary will be having a Valentine Sweetheart Dinner fund raiser at 6pm.

Submitted by Corbin Smith, 1st Vice Commander

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Last Saturday, 16 December, Robby James and the Streets of Bakersfield drew a large crowd of dancers and people listening to their great country music. That was due to the continuing efforts of our 2nd Vice Commander, Pete Vasilakos. Felix Taco put out many great Mexican dinners for only $10. Our bar sold a lot of drinks, with Linda Robertson working hard.

John Madieros is still crying out for HELP… He needs a couple more BARTENDERS for backup. 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. We did get a few auxiliary ladies to help Linda at December’s Native Sons Dinner, and at the saturday concert. We also had an auxiliary lady run the bar at last Wednesday’s bowling night. I think a couple of them are looking at possibly becoming more regular. Thank you so much for your help!

Barbra “Babs” Conner hosted a most enjoyable Christmas Karaoke party last Sunday, with not only singing, but also gift exchanges. The next Karaoke event will be on Sunday, 28 January, at 12:00 noon - 4:00 PM, in the Bunker Bar. After that, they will be on every 2nd and 4th Sunday. A small donation of $5 is asked at the door.

Our auxiliary is planning to host a dinner on the 1st Tuesday, 6 February. Stand by for more details.

Our next Executive Board/General Meeting will be on the 1st Tuesday, 2 January 2024, at 4:00 PM. Our District 7 Commander is planning on coming. Looking forward to seeing you there.

All for now…

Claude

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