Letters

American Legion Commander's Message:

This is the first of our new Bi-monthly newsletter. Having a newsletter published Bi-monthly will result in an approximate monthly savings of $500.

I would like to take this time to thank the Auxiliary for the fine job in support of the Ride -2-Recovery that stopped at our Post in December. I would also like to thank all those that were involved in putting together the Christmas baskets and the delivery of the baskets to those in need. They were greatly appreciated by those receiving the small gift.

Well the holidays are over and it was a very busy couple months for the Post. We had a good turn out for the New Year’s party. I would like to see other functions with this involvement. Happy Days will be here again on Friday Jan. 15^th2010. If you have not had the privilege of seeing their show you are in for a treat, hope to see a great turnout. February 13^th we will be having a Valentine Dance and Dinner. Tickets will be for sale at the bar. Get your tickets early so we can get a count for dinner, Prime Rib with all the fixings. This will be a semi-formal event. (Shirt and tie).

We are getting more members getting involved in the Wednesday meals; this has been a relief for those that have been doing most of the work lately. The additional help is appreciated. If there are any meals members would like to see prepared bring it to our attention for consideration.

I hope everyone survived the recent cold weather we just witnessed. One or two days are nice for a change, ten days were downright miserable. You were able to recognize the Snow Birds, shorts and short sleeve shirts, been there done that, while the regulars were all bundled in heavy sweaters and jackets.

I need to remind the members that the current year is winding down. I have not heard much about new officers for the upcoming year. It is that time to start thinking about the new regime for 2010-2011.

Yours in Service,

James E. Zipler

Commander

American Legion President's Message:

February is going to be slightly busier than January. February 6, from 11:00 to 1:00 we are hosting a luncheon for our Lady Legionnaires. We would appreciate all that can, to please attend. You know who you are, and we are having ham, scalloped potatoes, veggie, and salad. If you know of a Member of our Post and they are not aware of this event, please pass this along. We want to honor them for their Service they were so willing to provide for our Country.

The Post is going to host a Valentine Dinner on February 14th, and Prime Rib is the main course. Please get your tickets early, as we need to know how many to plan for in order to be prepared. See Commander Jim if you have any questions about this dinner. District 15 is going to have a District Initiation at Post 5 on February 21st, at 2:00 pm.

On February 19th, we will have the Department of Florida President, Mary Kelly Perkins and her Officers here for dinner. This will be during our regular Friday night dinner so it will not be formal or any expectations, just a quiet visit, and friendly evening planned. On the Saturday, the 20th, there will be another Birthday Bash! This will be for anyone who's Birthday is in February. Please advise the Lounge Manager if you're not on the list that will be posted in the Lounge. Patty will play for us and I am sure we will have some fantastic Singers! November was a hoot!

Remember we are discussing going to a Newsletter every other month, so just in case that turns into reality, I am going to remind everyone now of the ALA Annual Rummage Sale scheduled for March 5th and 6th. Get your donations in by Wednesday March 4th so we have time to set up and price everything. We also need volunteers for this couple of days. If you can write prices on a tag, you can help. Please do not wait for an individual invitation. Consider this our request. Thank you all and don't forget elections coming up, we need new blood in here, run for an Office and be heard!

Yours in Service,

Marie Taylor

President

rtaylor13@verizon.net

American Legion Chaplin's Message:

BE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU HAVE

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. thank you Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you Lord that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud. Thank you Lord for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced. Thank you Lord for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is monotonous. Thank you Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest. Thank you Lord, for life.

Yours in Service,

Bill Scott,

Chaplain

Chaplainpost152@msn.com

Service Officer Message:

I recently found this information on the VA website. You can look at the website yourself or contact me for more information.

Yours in Service,

Charmaine Zimmerer

Service Officer

Service152@tampabay.rr.com

Home Telehealth: I Just Called to Say...Here's My Blood Pressure

With a quick phone call to VA Telehealth staff and a transfer of vital signs through the phone line, a VA care coordinator is able to immediately assist patients and get them to the medical center to stabilize their condition.

Telehealth is the delivery of health-related services and information via telecommunications technologies. Home Telehealth is a key component of the Veterans Health Administration's Telehealth program, designed for Veterans with chronic diseases in need of constant monitoring. The home-based patients can record and send health vitals to their primary care staff by means of a home telephone.

Care coordinators are the immediate contacts for Home Telehealth patients. They provide information and support for Veterans, working closely with patients' primary care physicians. Each coordinator is a qualified nurse practitioner, registered nurse or social worker who helps patients and their caregivers.

Caregiver Support is an additional feature of Home Telehealth. It is tailored for caregivers of Veterans participating in the program.

The goal of Home Telehealth is "to make the home into the preferred place of primary care, when it is appropriate to do so," said Dr. Adam Darkins, Chief Consultant of Care Coordination Services at the VA.

"Chronic disease is a very prominent healthcare issue, so we provide case management, coordination of care, and self management education to manage that disease in the Veteran's own environment," added Patricia Ryan, Associate Chief Consultant for the VA Office of Telehealth.

The VA is a world leader in Home Telehealth technologies and currently provides care to over 40,000 patients, which is projected to expand to 75,000 by the end of 2011.

More information about Telehealth can be found on the VA web site.

Community projects:

Sometimes we lose sight of what the American Legion is all about. Here is a partial list of community activities, charities and functions the Post 152 family is involved in. How many are you involved in?

Boys State – an American Legion sponsored program which teaches boys for an intense week about government, held in Tallahassee. Held in the Capital building and recognized by the governor.

Girls State – an American Legion Auxiliary sponsored Program which teaches girls for an intense week about government, held in Tallahassee. Held in the Capital building and recognized by the Governor.

Blood drives

Faces of Courage – nonprofit cancer patient support organization with a primary goal of helping the cancer patient navigate their way through the treatment process and to thrive as a survivor.

Sponsor Boy Scout Troop #246

Operation Helping Hand – help with returning wounded veterans and their families

Project Gratitude – R and R for Chaplains who have recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families.

Liberty Manor - home for Veterans who have served our country but fallen victim to homelessness.

The National Child Welfare Foundation - The Auxiliary donates $500 per year.

St Francis House – a Catholic organization that helps individuals and families through the AIDS crisis.

Alpha House – a home for pregnant teenagers helping them through their pregnancy and placement of child if desired.

Hope Children’s Home – home for physically, mentally and sexually abused children. We help them financially and with supplies for the home.

Tools for Hillsborough Schools – warehouse of supplies for teachers to pick supplies for underprivileged children.

Ronald McDonald House – a house for parents and relatives to stay while children are being treated and cared for during hospital stays.

Angels Unaware – a home for mentally challenged children and young adults.

Paws for Patriots – help with funding and training of Guide Dogs for disabled veterans.

Freedom Foundation – a government learning experience in Pennsylvania. Chosen by submitted essays about America.

Thanksgiving dinner – held at the Post for veterans and other members of the community.

Support 7 VA Clinics – Fort Myers, Sarasota, Daytona, Oakland Park, Tallahassee, New Port Richey and Jacksonville. Fund the representative of the American Legion Auxiliary at each facility.

Support 8 VA Medical centers – Bay Pines, Lake City, Miami, Gainesville, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach and Gulf Cost (Pensacola). Fund the representative of the American Legion Auxiliary at each facility.

Support 6 VA Nursing Homes – Daytona, Lake City, Land ‘O Lakes, Port Charlotte, Pembrooke Pines and Springfield. Fund the representative of the American Legion Auxiliary at each facility.

Fisher House – fund 3 West Palm Beach, Bay Pines and Tampa. Fund the representative of the American Legion Auxiliary to buy needed supplies.

Special Olympics – Officiated some of the events and sent donations.

4 Children’s Hospitals – fund All Children’s Hospitals, Northview Community Center, Mailman Center, Florida State Hospital and Northeast Hospital. Funding is sent to help the American Legion Auxiliary representative projects and programs.

Creative Arts Program – fund supplies for VA hospital for Recreational therapy used to bring veterans back into the main stream or life.

Stand down for homeless Veterans - includes medical exams, food, bus passes to get to local VA Hospitals, counseling and clothing.

Christmas Baskets - for needy families. Last year over 300 families were provided with Christmas dinner and other staples.

Held a fund raiser to purchase beds for 3 little girls that were sleeping on the floor. Also gave them a gift certificate to purchase shoes so the girls would have new shoes for school. We will be playing Santa for this family.

Purchase Spinoza bears - to donate to sick children. Sick children will not tell an adult all of their problems because they blame themselves. These bears have a recorder, the children can play the recorder and the bear talks to them or it records what the child tells it. The doctors can listen to the recordings and learn a lot that the child will not tell him.

Supply the V. A. Medical Centers with lap robes and ditty bags (carry personal items to and from bathroom).

MEMBERSHIP:

I am sure you have heard varying excuses for not renewing your dues…..i.e.: I don’t go there much anymore. I’ve lost interest. I don’t know any of the members, etc. But, what Legionnaires fail to realize is that there are 3 reasons for paying your dues.

1. Dues support programs of the American Legion such as Children and Youth, Americanism, Flag Education and other.

2. Dues afford benefits for Legionnaires such as Travel Discounts, Free Insurance, Medical and Dental Insurance and others.

3. Perhaps the most important of all is the fact that by paying your dues every year, Washington politicians can’t cut the VA Budget and decrease veterans’ benefits. We need to hold steady or increase our 2.7 million membership.

I thought you ought to know.

Yours in Service,

Bill Seemann

Past Commander

THE FINAL INSPECTION

The soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,

It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod.

As the soldier waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you soldier,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell."

~Author Unknown~

If you know someone who might have been exposed to Agent Orange In Vietnam, please check out Silver Rose Home Page

SPC Kelly, Marilyn

CoC228FSB 2-28BCT

APO AE 09362-9997

Dear Members of American Legion Post #152,

I thought I would take a moment to introduce myself. I joined your (our) post 5 years ago while in Tampa on a visit to my dad. My father is a member there. He is a former Marine in during the Korean War. I joined based on my time served during the Panama Conflict. 1989-1990. After 9/11, I felt the need to serve again and enlisted in the PA National Guard in Nov 2002 where I am a combat medic. Last Nov we found out, we were getting deployed in Jan of this year. Right now, I am currently in Ramadi, Iraq serving the people of the great United States with pride and dignity. I’ve been receiving my newsletter here in my care packages from home.

I just wanted to send a quick note to let all of you know that the future of the American Legion across the country will continue with all the great servicemen and women I have met along the way during my deployment.

Sincerely,

SPC Marilyn D Kelly

No Hero:

Thank you Sir and Madam, but,

Please don’t call me a hero.

I only did my job.

I was part of a group of men

Who went where we were sent.

And did what had to be done.

We put our personal plans on hold

So that we could assist others

In building a new life or

Securing a more stable life.

So, please don’t call me a hero.

I only did my job.

Thomas R Bubb

US Navy Retired

A Man Named Paul

A wall of black stone: how could this cause pain,

and make the strongest of men weep?

A man, tall and robust, determined to walk past this

black stone to say a farewell to old friends.

The tears flow without control as a stranger

boldly embraces the man named Paul.

First tears after 23 years, hiding behind his wall

of pain, doubt, questions, and fears.

As he shares his burden with someone who knows

the tears rush to freedom.

Knowing that a healing has started in his heart

so long broken and frozen in time.

Walks down the lonely walk, erect and proud,

undefeated by the wall of back stone.

- Marilyn L. Baker