From the Commander:
Spring is here, the daffodils and tulips are blooming and it won’t be long before we have to start mowing grass and planting gardens.
Busy season at the Post as well, we have Post cleanup day coming in April, district meeting in May and lots of events in between.
This past week brought a large fundraiser for an SAL member and our first Texas Hold’em tournament. The tournament will be held every other Sunday starting at 4 p.m. The kitchen will be open for everyone attending.
Do not forget our upcoming pizza night, the steak and catfish night and our broasted chicken night, these are all the first, second and third Fridays of the month. The prime rib dinners are held every other Sunday starting at 4 pm.
Don’t forget that the April 8th meeting is Nominations deadline. Please get your nominations to a board member for submission.
Thank you all for your continued patronage and your loyalty to Post 79.
Thank you.
For God and Country
Bart Colvin
Commander
Mission Statement:
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service-members and veterans.
From the Auxiliary President:
It’s finally Spring! While you’re planning your spring clean up, remember our Post will be having spring clean up day on Saturday, April 27th. If you have an hour to spare, any help would be greatly appreciated.
There is still time to sign up to run for an office with the Auxiliary so please let me know. Our election will be next month with installation in June. And if you aren’t interested in being an officer, remember there is always a need for volunteers to help with dinners, repairs, yard clean up, etc.
A new bottle for collecting dimes is placed at the bar. The dimes go to the Auxiliary Emergency Fund. Thank you to all who have contributed and continue to contribute to this helpful cause.
Look for our spring basket this month. Thank you to all the ladies who contribute items for the baskets and to Dianna for putting them together. Be sure to get your ticket(s), they sell out quickly.
There is a can in the bar area for collecting Box Tops for Education. Box tops can be found on all sorts of items i.e. case of water, Kleenex, Lysol cans, etc. Cut them off and, if you aren’t already collecting for your child’s/grandchild’s school, bring them to the legion for donating.
We are still collecting items for the Domiciliary. The box for those donations is in the banquet room. Please remember the items for the Domiciliary must be new.
Mission Statement:
In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.
From Post Service Officer:
VA AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Bipartisan Congressional legislation is being introduced to require VA scientists to begin gathering data on the medical benefits of marijuana for PTSD, and life challenging pain. Veterans experiencing chronic pain over long periods of time have experienced reduced availability for pain management medications because of the opioid crisis, and the growing number of deaths attributed to opioid overdose.
At least 30 states in the U.S. have approved the use of marijuana for medical and/or recreational use. Veterans should know that federal law classifies marijuana as a Schedule One Controlled Substance. This makes it illegal in the eyes of the federal government. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is required to follow all federal laws including those regarding marijuana. As long as the Food and Drug Administration classifies marijuana as Schedule I VA health care providers may not recommend it or assist Veterans to obtain it. Veteran participation in state marijuana programs does not affect eligibility for VA care and services. VA providers can and do discuss marijuana use with Veterans as part of comprehensive care planning, and adjust treatment plans as necessary. Some things Veteran need to know about marijuana and the VA:
- Veterans will not be denied VA benefits because of marijuana use.
- Veterans are encouraged to discuss marijuana use with their VA providers.
- VA health care providers will record marijuana use in the Veteran’s VA medical record in order to have the information available in treatment planning. As with all clinical information, this is part of the confidential medical record and protected under patient privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations.
- VA clinicians may not recommend medical marijuana.
- VA clinicians may only prescribe medications that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for medical use. At present most products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), or other cannabinoids are not approved for this purpose by the FDA.
- VA clinicians may not complete paperwork/forms required for Veteran patients to participate in state-approved marijuana programs.
- VA pharmacies may not fill prescriptions for medical marijuana.
- VA will not pay for medical marijuana prescriptions from any source.
- VA scientists may conduct research on marijuana benefits and risks, and potential for abuse, under regulatory approval.
- The use or possession of marijuana is prohibited at all VA medical centers, locations and grounds. When you are on VA grounds it is federal law that is in force, not the laws of the state.
- Veterans who are VA employees are subject to drug testing under the terms of employment.
Source: www.publichealth.va.gov/marijuana.asp
At your service,
Rick Baum
From Post Adjutant:
Minutes from Joint Meeting:
- Convened 1900
- Adjourned 1935
- Guest – Dave Plummer – Vice President of Boone county local Firemen’s union.
- Meeting open in due form by the commander.
- It was brought to everyone’s attention that the only SAL members to attend the meetings will be the Commander, Vice commander the adjutant or any member with permission from the commander.
- Before the joint meeting started , the commander introduced our guest, Dave Plummer. He told all about the R.E.D. shirt program which collects donations for our Military men and women who are deployed. He also discussed the departments Flag pole for hero’s . They set flag poles in veterans yards at no cost to the veterans.
- Rita reported that the Aux Dept. heads will be here in May. They will be doing a Chinese auction to raise money. Rita is also getting a baseball schedule from our sponsor team. Dianna thanked all for the donations for the fire dept. Bart also thanked all for the help with pizza and catfish and steak nights. Bart and Beth decided that April 27th will be a good day for our spring clean up at the post. Bill Shoemaker said he will be going on the Honor Flight May 18th.
- Last month Steve Coulter reported that we need to be prepared that we will need approximately $3000.00 for air conditioner repairs in the future.
- Minutes read and approved. Tom Wothke gave the financial report which was approved as read. He also said that the reports are available for anyone wanting to look them over.
- Rick read an excerpt from Senate bill 613. You can read the bill on the Indiana General assembly page.
- Unfinished business – during spring cleanup day, April 27th, is the right time to set the bollards around the flag pole. Bart reminded all that there is a notebook behind the bar for members emergency information. Members were reminded about the 5k run/walk and the bike ride coming June 22nd. All money raised will go to the honor flight program.
- Chris Riley brought up that it has been 10 years since the Ft Hood shooting. Justin DeCrow was killed during the shooting who was a friend of Chris. Chris would like us to be the sponsor legion to get Justin inducted to the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame. This must be in by Aug1st. Justin lived in Plymonth Ind.
- Steve Coulter taking care of the repairs on the dishwasher. It is working now but needs some TLC.
From the Club Manager:
Dates to Remember:
2nd – SAL Meeting 6pm
5th – Legion Pizza Night 5-8pm
7th – Prime Rib Dinner 4-7pm
8th – Legion/AUX meeting 7pm
12th – SAL Steak & Catfish Dinner 5-8pm
16th – ALR Burger/Pork Chop Dinner 5:30-8pm
19th – Broasted Chicken Dinner 5-8pm
23rd – ALR Meeting 7pm
27th – Spring Clean-up Day at the Post