A
The
merican Legion
R.A. Mitchell Post 51
Flyer
American Legion Post 51
Volume 4
JUL 2011
Legion Schedules
Legion Breakfast
th
- The monthly breakfast is July 10 . Buffet is
$6.00 a plate and held every second Sunday of
the month. Pancakes, waffles and eggs to order
are available upon request!
Rolling Thunder
We are getting ready for the 24th anniversary
of The Rolling Thunder demonstration run in
Washington, DC. Anyone interested in joining this
amazing event please contact any Rolling Thunder
officer. Contacts are available on the web site:
rolling-thunder-nh1.org
Find us on the World Wide Web at
WWW.Rolling-thunder-nh1.org or “friend” us on
Face Book. Save the date for July 16th for the 5th
annual "Granite State Thunder Run" All proceeds
help local veterans and their families. Thank You!
Scott “Too Tall” Suchovsky.
American Legion Meets the 2nd Tuesday of
the month at 7 pm.
American Legion Auxiliary: Second
Thursday of the Month, 7 pm
Sons of the American Legion meets the 3rd
Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm.
American Legion Riders First Tuesday of the
Month, 7pm
House Committee and Executive Board:
Sundays at 8 am.
Helpful Links
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www.post51.net
Photobucket
On Facebook: American Legion Post
51 Epping NH and ALR Chapter 9 Post
51 Epping, NH
Blue Star Mothers of NH Fan Page
Blue Star Mothers of NH
NH Gold Star Mothers
Northeast POW/MIA Network
Honor Flight New England
Rolling Thunder
Volume 4
American Legion Post 51
Activities Committee Upcoming
Events
ACTIVITIES EVENTS
7/30 – Country Barbecue
8/20 – Lobster Bake
9/17 – Sadie Hawkins Dance / Harvest
Festival
10/22 – Halloween Party
11/5 – Dance
11/19 – Kid’s Karaoke
JUL 2011
What’s happening at the Post tonight?
Tuesdays: Meeting Night. Attend the American
Legion Riders meeting the First Tuesday of the
month or the American Legion Post 51 meeting on
the Second Tuesday of the month. Your
involvement in your Post makes Post 51 strong and
vibrant! Be part of the process or stop in to see
what is happening behind the scenes.
Wednesdays: Card game of 45. See Jerome Jean if
you’d like to play. 45 rules on line Click here!
Thursdays: Meeting Night. Attend the American
Legion Auxiliary meeting on the 2nd Thursday or
the Sons of the American Legion on the 3rd
Thursday of the month.
Fridays: Better get here early! The canteen fills up
fast! Turkey Shoot at 6:30 pm and Kowboy Rick
Karaoke at 8:30 pm.
Saturdays: If you thought Friday was busy, check
out Saturday! Turkey Shoot at 6:30 pm and
Kowboy Rick Karaoke at 8:30 pm. Come on
Down! Have some fun! Charlie and Sheila are your
hosts!
From the Editor:
Many of you may notice that this month’s Newsletter does not have a lot of meat to it. That is unfortunate,
as the Newsletter is a great vehicle for sharing ideas, getting information out, and keeping those members
who are unable to attend meetings or frequent the Post, up to date on current events. As many of you know
the electronic version of the Newsletter goes out to a great number of people. Those people not only
include members, but District Officers, and Department as well. Indeed the newsletter goes to personnel in
Iraq and Afghanistan and to many places around the country. Additionally it is seen on the World Wide
Web and is available in the Post Canteen.
Over the past four years (yes four years this newsletter has been running) many interesting articles and
stories have been submitted. News, updates, information and photos. I have been told my many people
over the years, as well as Paul Franks who designed this Newsletter, that the Newsletter is important and
“We love having it” “Don’t stop doing the Newsletter” “Thank you for your work” etc. It is nice to know
that there are those who appreciate getting and reading the Newsletter. It is my pleasure to do it, really.
But, yes there is a “but” here… I can’t make stuff up. While serving as the Commander, I had my fingers
on the pulse of just about everything from one degree or another. It was easy to plug stories, events and
important information in the pages here. Now, that is not the case. It is no one persons’ responsibility to
ensure that the horn is tooted, so to say, for any one group, Unit, Committee, or Officer.
Continued on page 5
American Legion Post 51
Volume 4
JUL 2011
Summary of 91st Department Convention of New Hampshire
We sent one delegate at large and 3 delegates, Carol Maynard, Diana Thomas, Bridget Ivey, and Joyce
Murnane to convention. We also had three guests attend: Heidi Brown and Anne Willette and Carol Rogers
We really owe these three girls a big thank you for all their help throughout the weekend.
During the Executive Board meeting on Thursday it was voted that the wave hats can only be worn at unit
activities. Department and District require the Scotty hats to be worn or no hat.
Epping received one award for our Child & Youth report on the district level and also one award on the
Department level for the same report. We will have the plaques engraved with our unit and the year and they
will soon be hanging in the canteen.
Epping also received a plaque for the best Poppy Centerpiece that was made by Bridget and Joyce and was
displayed on the head table at the Convention banquet. The award plaque for the center piece will also be
engraved and displayed.
We have asked Ken Maynard to take all three plaques to Portsmouth to be engraved for us and he will give us
a receipt for the cost so Cheryl can reimburse him.
Post 51 Auxiliary also received a certificate for over 100% membership.
Bridget Ivey was elected as District 3 Director and Joyce Murnane and Alternate Director.
Joyce is chairperson of the Legislative Committee.
Carol Maynard is Chairman of the Auxiliary Emergency Fund and 2nd member of the Veterans Assistance and
Rehabilitation committee.
Carol Maynard received an appointment as Alternate Delegate to National Convention in Minneapolis.
In short, we attended meetings all day Friday and Saturday and attended the banquet Saturday night.
Bridget and Joyce also marched in the parade on Sunday afternoon.
All in all Epping Unit 51 has reason to be very proud of our accomplishments.
Respectfully submitted by,
Carol Maynard, Secretary
Congratulations to our Auxiliary. Job Well Done!
Around the Department
Monday’s
Bingo every Monday at the Raymond VFW - Hosted by Post 90 39 Main
Street Raymond, NH Doors open at 5:00pm Early Bird begins at 6:00pm
Thursday’s
Bingo every Thursday - Hosted by Post 1 849 North Main Street Laconia, NH
Doors open at 4:30pm Games begin at 6:30pm
Friday’s
Meat Raffle every other Friday from September 10, 2010 to April 29, 2011
Hosted by Post 13 3 River Street Greenville, NH. Games begin at 7:00pm till
last prize is drawn
2nd Sunday
Post 51 Epping Monthly Breakfast every second Sunday 9:00am to 11:00am
$6.00 for adults. Buffett Breakfast includes, eggs to order, toast, juice, bacon,
sausage (links / patties), French toast sticks, home fries, Juice, Milk, and
Coffee. If you go away hungry....it's your own fault!!!! Hope to see you there.
Last Sunday
Made to order Breakfast from September 26, 2010 to April
Post 13 SAL 3 River Street Greenville,
NH 7:30am to 10:00am $5.00pp
24, 2011 Hosted by
Volume 4
American Legion Post 51
JUL 2011
July 10 Sunday, Inter-post Activities: Horseshoes @ Post 22 Lebanon
July 13 Wednesday, District 4, Manchester, VA Bingo Sponsored by Post 100 Pelham
7:00pm
August 10 Wednesday, District 4 Manchester VA Bingo Sponsored by Post 79
Manchester 7:00pm
October 16 Sunday, Inter-post Activities: Soft Tip Darts, Post 33 Meredith
Volume 4
American Legion Post 51
JUL 2011
Continued from Page 2.
I can hear a few people now. And there are those reading this that are thinking it… “Well if you came down to
the Post (Canteen) more often you might have a better idea.” That is Not the point. A member doesn’t go to
the Canteen to get information. Or they shouldn’t have to. Primarily, all that important “stuff” should and
usually does come out in monthly meetings. Legion business has no place in the Canteen. The Canteen is not
even recognized by the American Legion. Hence, the rules we have about conducting Legion Business at the
bar. But I digress.
In my circumstance for example, I spent more than 60 days recently on a 12 hour shift, 6 days a week during
our past outage at the Power Plant I work at. This left precious little time to take care of things at home, to
sleep, eat and go back to work. The last thing I had time for was a meeting, or to go to the Canteen and get a
beer. It was a weird feeling as for the first time in three years I heard nothing about the Legion. Not a peep. No
inputs, no business, no nothing. After 4 years of being plugged in…that didn’t settle well with me.
And it occurred to me. If I was a paying member, let’s say a senior citizen or an Active duty Member, or
Guardsman on deployment, if I worked nights and couldn’t go to a meeting, what else did I have to find out
what was going on at the Post? There is the Newsletter. Maybe they have access to the Post Website. Neither
of these portals of information is any good if they are not used. I challenge our Posts family to get the word
out! The flow of information can not stop. To do so will cause a lot of hard work and ground gained to go out
the window. As many managers, trainers and people in supervisory positions that work to develop a thing, a
group or a team, it is a commonly known fact, you take your foot off the throttle and before you know it your
completely out of gear and coasting.
How does that apply to the Newsletter? Our Facebook Page? The Post Website? Just imagine for a moment
….If you were a Persian Gulf Vet, a Vet of OEF, Vietnam, Korea, if you were Active Duty and had even a
brief thought about joining the American Legion, if your home town was Epping, Brentwood, Fremont,
Kingston, Barrington, Newfeilds, or any of the surrounding towns and you looked up the local American
Legion, the internet would guide you to R.A. Mitchell Post 51 American Legion, Epping NH. The Post
Website and Newsletter show up. Any News stories about Post 51 will show up on the internet as well. What
do you see? What about anything that you are looking at would sway you to become a member? For those of
you with internet access, search Post 51 and see what comes up. Ask yourself about the content that you see,
would it draw you to the Post? Sadly to many people I have talked to, outside of the Legion, the Legion to
them means a place were you can go drink for cheap and play cards and a place to hold a function or party, and
play pool. Really? Is that really all we are? And more importantly WHY are people thinking that!?
In summary, the point I am trying to get across is that WE the membership, the Officers of this Post have a
long way to go to improve our public image to the ones we are supposed to be here for. More importantly we
need to look inward first to get those members on our rosters that are just names to realize we know they are
there and we want them to be part of what goes on at the Post.
That first and most important step is to get the information out so that it can be read and seen. It doesn’t
matter if it seems dull, or if it’s just the meeting minutes from the convention. Am I the only one that likes to
see that stuff? To know that we, R.A. Mitchell Post, are making an impact? I don’t think so. I hope not.
The second step is to walk the walk. Talk to and invite members and eligible members to meetings, involve
them, make them feel that they are part of something important. We are The American Legion…..are we not?
I think that our Four Pillars need some attention. I think…I KNOW this Post is doing more than what is listed
here this month and there are people that need to know it too. Let’s get the word out.
Respectfully, Eric J. Gregg, Past Commander, Editor, RA Mitchell Post 51 Flyer.
Volume 4
American Legion Post 51
JUL 2011
American Legion National News
13 U.S. sailors remain buried in Libya
A House of Representatives amendment that supports bringing home the remains of U.S. Navy heroes from
Libya has no counterpart in the Senate's version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal
2012.
While the Senate Armed Services Committee chose not to address the issue, the House passed an amendment
(H.R. 1497) on May 26, directing the Secretary of Defense to take whatever steps necessary to "exhume and
transfer the remains of certain deceased members of the Armed Forces buried in Tripoli, Libya...."
Those "deceased members" died on Sept. 4, 1804, in the harbor of Tripoli when an explosive-packed ship they
crewed, the Intrepid, blew up prematurely and killed all 13 men on board, led by Master Commandant
Richard Somers and his second-in-command, Lt. Henry Wadsworth (uncle of the poet Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow).
The sailors' remains were discovered onshore the next day, abused by the enemy and partially devoured by a
pack of stray dogs before Capt. William Bainbridge and other Navy prisoners in Tripoli were allowed to bury
Somers and his men.
More than two centuries later, those American heroes lie buried in a hostile land.
The American Legion's National Executive Committee passed a resolution in May that urges "the President
and the Congress to support legislation and policies that will use all reasonable resources to achieve the fullest
possible accounting of all missing American service members, regardless of location or era of loss."
Tim Tetz, the Legion's Legislative director, wrote a May 24 letter to House Speaker John Boehner, asking for
his support of H.R. 1497, authored by Reps. Mike Rogers of Michigan and Frank LoBiondo of New Jersey.
"There, within a forgotten cemetery, lie the remains of an American naval hero, Master Commandant Richard
Somers, whose legacy inspires those still serving in the Navy," Tetz wrote. "There lie remains that family
members have pled to have returned to the United States.
"It is therefore the opportunity and - more importantly - duty of Congress to direct that we recover the remains
of those Americans within Tripoli.... The time has come to bring our heroes home."
Michael Caputo has been lobbying on behalf of the Somers Point community to get the Intrepid crew's
remains back to America. "They aren't lying in a Normandy-style hallowed ground. Some are in a ratty,
unkempt cemetery and others lie jumbled together underneath Green Square," where Col. Muammar Qaddafi
and his government hold public rallies.
"These men didn't get an honorable burial; they were dragged through the streets, fed to wild dogs and
dumped in mass graves," Caputo said. "But the most important reason to bring them back is because their
families have wanted them home for more than 200 years." Caputo is a member of American Legion Post 362
in East Aurora, N.Y.
Jack Glasser, mayor of Somers Point, N.J. (founded by the naval hero's ancestors) is part of an ongoing local
effort to retrieve the remains of the Intrepid crew.
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American Legion Post 51
JUL 2011
"As a veteran, I can't understand why they're still there," Glasser said. "For the life of me, I cannot understand
why we've left them there for 206 years in Libya. It's time to bring them home." Glasser retired from the New
Jersey Air National Guard with 20 years of service.
Although Somers has had six U.S. Navy ships named after him, and a monument honoring him and his crew
stands at the U.S. Naval Academy, the United States has never reclaimed the Intrepid crew's remains from
Libya.
Sally Hastings, president of the Somers Point Historical Society and Museum, said historical documents
indicate family members tried to get Somers' remains back to America in the early 1800s.
"Two centuries later, the story of Richard Somers and the crew of the Intrepid are not complete," Hasting
said. "There is more to come. Ultimately, the Somers Point Historical Society will be the organization that
plans any local burial of Richard Somers, with the assistance of the city and - I would hope - veterans groups."
Hastings and her organization have taken a leading role in building support for their cause, raising funds for a
monument to Somers, and planning the ceremony for its eventual dedication at Somers Point.
"Any service member killed in the line of duty deserves to come home," said Barry Searle, director of the
Legion's National Security/Foreign Relations Division. "First, it is important for family members to have their
loved ones properly buried in an environment that isn't hostile.
"But bringing Somers and his men back home is also a matter of national honor and trust. By making this
effort, we are telling future generations that the United States stands by its commitment to those who serve in
uniform."
As for an amendment of support being excluded from the Senate's version of the NDAA, Tetz said The
American Legion will still have the opportunity to press for its inclusion on the Senate floor. "And we fully
intend to do that if need be."
Note: “For those of you receiving the Post 51 Newsletter on line, feel free to click the links below for more
information.
To help with efforts to repatriate the remains of Somers and the Intrepid crew, click here and sign the petition.
To learn more about Somers and the Intrepid's mission, click here.
The R.A. Mitchell Post 51 American Legion Flyer is available electronically and in the Post
monthly. Send your e-mail address to egregg57@yahoo.com to be added to the distribution list.
Through the e-mail list you will also receive notifications of upcoming events and functions.
Additionally this list includes key people in the Post and provides a means of contact and exchange
of information. Junk, Political, Racist, and non Veteran/Legion related information will not be
passed. Additionally if you wish to have your e-mail address placed in the Blind Carbon Copy
(BCC) section of the address, please let me know.
The Post 51 Flyer: Created By: Paul Franks Monthly Publishing: Eric J. Gregg;
Volume 4
American Legion Post 51
JUL 2011
Legion wants VA to manage Arlington
The American Legion - June 23, 2011
Photo by Craig Roberts
The American Legion is strongly urging Congress to turn over management of troubled Arlington National
Cemetery to the National Cemeteries Administration (NCA), a branch of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Arlington, along with the cemetery at the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home in Washington, currently is
administered by the U.S. Army.
The Legion made its appeal in written testimony submitted to a House Veterans Affairs subcommittee hearing
on June 23, in which members of Congress were updated on efforts to correct problems caused by
mismanagement at the cemetery.
Legion testimony recalled the Arlington scandal, first reported on by Washington-based investigative reporter
Mark Benjamin in 2009. "America learned of mislabeled remains, and bodies buried in the wrong locations,"
the Legion said, "...perhaps in 6,000 locations or more. Cemetery staff, when questioned by incoming
management regarding standard procedure manuals for burials and plot alignment, admitted that no such
written records existed, and work had been handed down by word of mouth. Electronic records did not exist
(and) information was stored on index cards as if the nation's most prominent military cemetery was a 1950's
muffler shop."
A year ago, the Obama administration appointed new management at the Army's two cemeteries, as Kathryn
Condon became executive director of the Army National Cemeteries Program. According to its testimony, the
Legion has been pleased with her tenure. "Director Condon and her team have been tireless and honest,
sometimes brutally so, in the pursuit of righting this sinking ship. The American Legion applauds Director
Condon for her forthright efforts to correct these errors." Despite this, the Legion is urging Congress to
remove Arlington and the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home cemetery from the Army's purview and place them in
the hands of the NCA.
"The DOD has one critical mission: to prepare for and execute the war fighting necessary for this nation's
defense," the Legion said. "Sidelining resources of money and staff to non-war fighting tasks degrades
efficiency within DOD. NCA is already managing 131 cemeteries and doing it well."
The Legion believes the Army still has a vital role to play at Arlington. "Nobody questions the performance of
the Army in the ceremonial tasks and duties they have always performed, and performed with distinction," the
testimony read. "The American Legion believes the responsibilities of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment,
Volume 4
American Legion Post 51
JUL 2011
traditionally known as ‘The Old Guard', which include conducting military ceremonies at Arlington National
Cemetery, manning the 24-hour vigil at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and being the provider of military funeral
escorts at Arlington, should never change as a result of any reorganization associated with Arlington National
Cemetery."
R.A. Mitchell Swap Shop: All entries are posted on a month to month basis. If you have an AD that needs
to run longer please specify the end date of the ad. Policies/Rules: No Weapons or Firearms. All entries must have a contact name
and phone number. Pictures supplied with Ads will be reduced to a reasonable size as necessary to fit the format of the newsletter.
American Legion Post 51 and the editors of the R.A. Mitchell Post 51 Flyer are not responsible for misrepresented Ads or
buyer/seller disputes.
Free for the taking
FREE if you come and get it: GE Heavy Duty Super Capacity Clothes Washer. 5 years old. Needs new
water level switch. Call Paul to arrange pick up time. 603-895-2310
Fish tank stuff. Not shown is about 10 pounds of gravel under gravel filter, and piggy back filter. Shown
above are an automatic feeder, whisper pump, plants, rocks, and tubing enough for a 35 gallon tank. Looking
to make this stuff go away! Call Eric @ 603-498-7833
Free, take it away, chest of drawers. Made of poplar or hard wood, this chest is in good condition. Will drop
off to local addresses. Call Eric @ 603-498-7833
Free for the taking Vintage U.S. Army canteen with canvas case and duty belt clip. Needs cleaning in and
out but overall is in good condition. Call Eric @ 603-498-7833
For Sale General
For Sale: Coleman Drip Coffee maker. This coffee maker is designed for Coleman type stoves. Never used
and is brand new in box. Coffee maker has been in storage in my cellar. $20.00 Call Eric @ 603-498-7833.
For Sale: Adult, Black, Martial Arts pads. A spare set I had for Mixed Martial Arts. This set includes foot,
hand, head pads, punch/kick target, mesh bag, and new mouth guard. $25.00 Call Eric @ 603-498-7833
1 Pair of Bauer boys skates. Used about ½ dozen times. The skates come with blade guards. Skates are in
super condition and look nearly brand new. There is no size on them, but I believe they may be somewhere in
the neighborhood of size 6 1/2. $10.00
Vintage Boy Scouts of America canvas “The Overnighter” Pup tent. I have the stakes for this tent but the
ridge pole is long gone. A new one is easily fashioned. This is a late 60’s early 70’s model, I believe. Will
donate to a local Scout Troop or will sell for $10.00. Eric 603-498-7833.
Vintage Boy Scouts of America canvas back pack. Everything is original and in good condition. Leather
straps could use some cleaning and saddle soap. Great collector’s item. This is a late 60’s early 70’s model, I
believe. Will donate to a local Scout Troop or will sell for $10.00. Eric 603-498-7833.
Blue porcelain coated percolating coffee maker with two matching cups. Brand new. $5.00 Eric 603-4987833
Make an offer
Two solid brass candle sconces. About 12” high, accepts standard tapers. These sconces are ornate and in
excellent condition. Make an Offer, Eric 603-498-7833
Fluted plaster column / pedestal. This column is a short replica of a Greek column and makes a great plant
stand or a display pedestal. Make an offer, Eric 603-498-7833
Antique Queen bed frame, Maple in good solid condition. Some hardware may need to be tightened. Shows
normal wear for a 100 year old piece of furniture but is in good overall condition. Will deliver to local
addresses. Eric 603-498-7833
Are you eligible to become a member of the American Legion, Sons of the American
Legion, or American Legion Auxiliary? What are you waiting for?!
Come on down to Post 51, get involved with the community, help your fellow veteran,
assist with a fundraising event, or visit the VA Hospital.
There is something for everyone at the Legion! We are America’s Veterans, and we are
still serving!