Read Proposed Post By-Law

Post 163 Newsletters

1 January 2020

Commander - Jesse Lauderdale
From the Post Commander to the members I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members that gave there time and effort to make this a very good year. We had some set back but like all veterans we came through I am looking forward to the coming year. I wish all a very happy New Year.

Our Office Hours are:
Monday 5:00 - 7:00 pm staffed by Linda Newman
Thursday 1:00 - 3:00 pm staffed by Jesse Lauderdale
Feel free to stop by to say hello, and please let us know if we can help you with anything. The Post does have a computer, printer and Wi-Fi access.

1st Vice Commander (Membership) - Levi Bateman
As of the last post meeting on 12/13/19, our post currently has 38 members at large for the year, which leaves us 15 members short, or about 28% off of our goal. This is actually right about where we should be right now for 2020, so a big thank you to everyone who's already renewed! Still however, our goal is to reach 53 members by our February deadline, so I'm asking for any of you who have been putting off renewing your membership to please do by our next regular meeting in January.

Also a reminder that Membership in the American Legion runs from July 1 through June 31. Members are strongly encouraged to pay their Membership Dues by October 20 of each year for the succeeding year. A member whose dues for the current year have not been paid by January 1st shall be classed as delinquent. If their dues are paid on or before February 1st, they shall be automatically reinstated. If they are still delinquent after February 1st, they shall be suspended from all privileges. If they are still under suspension on June 30th of such year, their membership in the American Legion shall be forfeited. This is in the By-Laws.

Post Everlasting claimed three of our members this last year, and while our minds are glad for them - that they fought their final battles and have gone on to rest, our hearts feel the emptiness these comrades have left behind. But as General Patton once said "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died, rather we should thank God that such men lived". Our members who have joined Post Everlasting are Hugh Cominsky, Doug Knox, and Paul Wise. Paul was not only our District 3 Commander but, he also a member of our Post’s Chapter of Legion Riders.

I'm excited about the new year and attending all the events that will be taking place while getting to know everyone better. Both the Super Bowl party and the Four Chaplains service are just around the corner in February. Linda Newman, our post adjutant, was instrumental in organizing a festive Christmas potluck back on December 14th. It was nice enjoying the comradeship with all of you who were there. I firmly believe that as iron sharpens iron, we fellow soldiers (and yes sailors and airmen also) sharpen one another when we associate with each other. So in that, I thank each of you that I've had the pleasure to associate with this last year for making me better than I would be otherwise! I wish you all a prosperous and happy 2020!

If you need to contact me to pay dues, receive your membership card, or for anything else contact alturaspost163@gmail.com attention Levi, (530) 708-7334, or snail mail at 508 S Main St, Suite B, Alturas, Ca 96101. Your 1st Vice Commander, Levi Bateman

2nd Vice Commander (Events and Fund Raisers) - Ryan Burns
See attached Calendar of Events for 2020 and feel free to contact me at alturaspost163@gmail.com attention Ryan or via or snail mail at 508 S Main St, Suite B, Alturas, Ca 96101.

Finance Officer - Stephen Riley
The Post has opened a new account at Plumas bank jointly with VFW post 3327 specifically for donations to be used to maintain, repair and upgrade the Veterans Memorial Hall, all donations welcome.

Members of our Post went out and collected from the Helmets for Heroes Banks that are placed at various businesses around town. $275.47 was collected and deposited in the bank. All money collected during the year is taken to Department Convention in June and goes to CAL-VAR (Department of California Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Program).

Adjutant - Linda Newman
Next Newsletter will come out April 1st. If you want something included in the Newsletter please submit to alturaspost163@gmail.com by Wednesday, March 25th. You can also mail your submission to the Post at 508 S Main St, Suite B, Alturas, Ca 96101.

As a cost saving measure we will be emailing as many of the newsletters as we can, please make sure we have your current email address. With postage up to 55¢ per stamp (plus the cost of paper, ink and envelopes) we would prefer to save some money on the newsletter so we can spend it on helping veterans.

If you move or get a new email address please let us know so we can update your contact information both at Post level and at National so you don’t miss any important correspondence.

Current and previous newsletters also available on our website at: https://alturaspost163.wixsite.com/alturaslegionpost163/post-newsletters

Reminder meetings are held the 2nd Saturday of the month at 1:00 pm.

Judge Advocate - Vacant
If you might be interested in holding this vital position please Contact Jesse Lauderdale at alturaspost163@gmail.com or at 530-708-2844
No report at this time

Chaplain - Ray Murrietta
No report at this time

Sergeant at Arms - Pete DuBois
No report at this time.

In Other News:
Revised Post By-Laws were passed at the December 2019 meeting and are ready to submit up the Chain of Command. A copy of the By-Laws are on the post website at: https://alturaspost163.wixsite.com/alturaslegionpost163/post-by-laws
Password: “**************" (If you are a member of the Post contact Linda Newman for the password)

Also we had received notification from our Insurance Company at the beginning of November that their inspector found items of concern and that our insurance was going to be cancelled as of 2 Dec 12:01 am. The issue was that the hall still had some fuses rather than everything being on circuit breakers. The County was informed of the issue and the community helped raise funds for the upgrade. An electrician came out and upgraded the system enough that our insurance was reinstated with a lapse. However, there are still many items that need repaired and upgraded so that our Veterans Hall can continue to serve the community of Alturas for many years to come.

American Legion Riders Chapter 163 - Ryan Burns, President
We have an AL Riders Chapter connected to our Post. It is open to any Legion Family member (Legion, Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of American Legion) who owns a motorcycle. Contact Ryan Burns for more information.

Sons of the American Legion
We have received our charter for a SAL Chapter in Alturas.
The SAL Commander will be elected at their meeting and the first meeting will be held Saturday 11 January 2019 following the Post meeting (apx 2:30 pm) at the Veterans Memorial Hall.

For more details contact Jesse Lauderdale at 530-708-2844 (voice or text).

SAL is open to all male descendants, adopted sons and stepsons of members of the American Legion, and such male descendants of veterans who died in service during WWI, or during from Dec 7, 1941 - present, as well as honorably discharged veterans who have died subsequently to their discharge from service.

American Legion Post 163
2020 Calendar of Events
as of 20 Dec 2019

January

Mon 6 January Exec Committee Meeting - 6 pm
Sat 11 January Post Meeting 1 pm
Jan 11-12 Area One Meeting Ft Bragg
Sat 18 January District 3 Meeting Susanville

February
- February is Americanism Month -

Sun 2 February Super Bowl Party - 2 pm
   Will need help with setup, food prep/serving, cleanup
Mon 3 February Exec Committee Meeting - 6 pm
Sat 8 February Deadline Essay Entries
Sat 8 February Post Meeting - 1 pm
Sun 9 February Four Chaplains - 2 pm
   Will need help with setup, speakers, food prep/serving, cleanup
Sat 22 February Americanism Essay Contest Award Ceremony - 7 pm
   Will need help with setup, speakers, food prep/serving, cleanup

March
- March is Community Service Month -

Mon 9 March Exec Committee Meeting - 6 pm
Sat 14 March Post Meeting - Nominations - 1 pm
Mon 16 March AL 101st Birthday Dinner and Silent Auction - 6 pm
Will need help with setup, speakers, food prep/serving, cleanup
March 21-22 Area One Meeting Yolo

April
- April is Children and Youth Month -

Mon 6 April Exec Committee Meeting - 6 pm
Sat 11 April Post Meeting Elections - 1 pm
Sat 18 April District 3 Meeting Susanville
Sat 25 April Game Night - 7 pm
Will need help with setup, food prep/serving, cleanup

May

Fri 1 May - Loyalty Day (a special day for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.)
Mon 4 May Exec Committee Meeting - 6 pm
Sat 9 May Post Meeting Installation - 1 pm
Sat 16 May Armed Forces Day
Mon 25 May Memorial Day Ceremony at Cemetery 11 am followed with Lunch at Hall
Will need help with setup, speakers, food prep/serving, cleanup,
plus putting out and collecting flags/crosses at cemetery
May 30-31 Area One Meeting Corning

June

Sat 6 June D-Day
Mon 8 Jun Exec Committee Meeting - 6 pm
Sat 13 June Post Meeting - 1st meeting new officers - 1 pm
Sun 14 June Flag Day VFW will be doing something
Jun 27-28 Outdoor Expo Concessions
Will need help with setup, food prep/serving, cleanup
June 26-28 Dept of California Convention in Visalia, Ca

July

Sat 4 July Fandango Days Concessions and Parade
Will need help with setup, food prep/serving, cleanup, Float prep and participants
Mon 6 July Exec Committee Meeting - 6 pm
Sat 11 July Post Meeting - 1 pm

August

Mon 3 August Exec Committee Meeting - 6 pm
Tue 4 August Coast Guard Birthday
Friday 7 Aug Purple Heart Day
Sat 8 August Post Meeting - 1 pm
Aug 27-30 Modoc District Fair Concession 4 days and Parade on Sunday in Cedarville
Will need help with setup, food prep/serving, cleanup, Float prep and participants
Aug 28-Sep 3 American Legion National Convention Louisville, Ky

September
- September is National Disaster Preparedness Month -

Mon 7 September Exec Committee Meeting - 6 pm
Wed 9 September California Admission Day
Fri 11 September Patriot Day Award Dinner - 6 pm
Will need help with setup, speakers, food prep/serving, cleanup
Sat 12 September Post Meeting - 1 pm
Fri 18 September POW/MIA Day VFW will be doing something
Sat 26 September Disaster Preparedness Workshop - time not set yet
Will need help with setup, speakers, food prep/serving, cleanup
Sun 27 September Gold Star Mother’s Day
Tues 29 September Air Force Birthday

October

Mon 5 October Exec Committee Meeting - 6 pm
Sat 10 October Post Meeting - 1 pm
Tues 13 October Navy Birthday
Sun 18 Oct Recognition of Women in Military Service
Sat 24 October Game Night - 7 pm
Will need help with setup, food prep/serving, cleanup

November

Mon 9 November Exec Committee Meeting - 6 pm
Tue 10 November US Marine Corps Birthday
Wed 11 November Veterans Day Breakfast, Ceremony, Parade (Elks Dinner after @ Hall)
Will need help with setup, speakers, food prep/serving, cleanup, Float prep and participants
Sat 14 November Post Meeting - 1 pm

December

Sat 5 December Festival of Lights Parade
will need help with float prep and participants
Mon 7 December Exec Committee Meeting - 6 pm
Mon 7 December Pearl Harbor Remembrance - 7:30 pm
Will need help with setup, speakers, food prep/serving, cleanup
Sat 12 December Post Meeting - 1 pm
Tentative Date May Change Sat 12 December Christmas Party - 6 pm
Sun 13 December National Guard Birthday