Troiola named American Legion National Commander
POW/MIA DAY – September 16
National POW MIA Recognition Day is held in the USA annually on the third Friday of September. It is not a public holiday, but is an imortant to veterans across the nation.
The Missing Man Table expresses our devotion to their sacrifice. For more information on the POW?MIA Recognition day, visit:
The American Legion is committed to achieving a full accounting of all POW/MIAs from the Gulf War, Vietnam War, Cold War, Korean War and World War II. This means returning living POWs, the repatriation of their remains, or finding convincing evidence why neither of these is possible.
The American Legion supports the continued declassification of all POW/MIA information, the strengthening of joint commissions with Russia, North Korea and China, and adequate resourcing of investigative efforts and field operations to resolve POW/MIA issues. The American Legion has also worked continuously with both Congress and DoD to improve the policies and programs for the accountability of missing persons. This includes urging the president and Congress to fully fund theDefense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Office (DPAA) for its current and future mission of ensuring the accountability of U.S. servicemembers. The American Legion will continue to speak out and exert maximum pressure on both the administration and on Congress to fully account for America’s POW/MIAs.
Membership Moments
When meeting an eligible member, find a quick way to connect.
A Sense of Humor
Plan to Succeed
When we plan to succeed, our chances of succeeding improve.
Advanced planning for any event drives the excitement, promotion, and success of the event. There are fundamental questions that need good answers when we make our plan, these are:
- Where? – Most commonly, a post function is held at our post. Keep in mind new members and guests may not know the post location. We need to be clear about where, for everyone.
- What? – What will take place and what will be needed to get things done?
- Who? – Who will be involved? Will it be an event just for the post, or will others like the Auxiliary, Sons, Riders, and community be involved?
- Who is running this event and therefore who will report on the event’s success?
- When? – Day, Date, and Time help others to fit the event into their schedule.
- An annual event should be scheduled a year in advance to ensure build can be reserved, allow time to develop the necessary staff, and prepare the planning and marketing needed for success. Other events should be scheduled at least 90days in advance,
- Also, consider the lead time needed for some local publications. If you use a community paper that is published monthly to help market your event, you may need 60 or more days of lead time to get your information published.
9-11 Ceremony
9-11 ceremony at Firehouse #1 in San Luis Obispo. The American Legion joins with all first responders organizations to honor and remember the sacrifices of those who served on 9-11 in NYC. At 8;30 a.m. we will once again be holding the ceremony. The Master of Ceremony is David Glidden, Past Commander of Post 66. We will also be honoring the Boys State representative from SLO High and the Girls State representative from SLO High. Each of these outstanding students will deliver a short speech on the Theme, “Decisiveness”. At the end of the ceremony, they will each receive a $500 check. It is hoped that many of our members will be there for this hour-long ceremony.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hotdogs, Bounce House, Corn Bag Toss, Basketball Toss, Ring Toss, Face Painting, with coloring books and crayons for the little ones. Lots of fun games and prizes for the kids, and a raffle.
All the San Luis Obispo community is welcome to join us. We will also be holding a membership drive for the American Legion, the Auxillary, and the Sons of the American Legion.
Commander’s Corner
Post 66 has been blessed this year with with all that has happened, including the end of the pandemic 🙏🏻. Hopefully, we can all get back to living our lives without fear sooner than later.
Yvonne Hampton
Commander
commander@post66slo.org
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY (ALA), UNIT 66
Several Unit 66 Auxiliary members attended the leadership workshop held in Clovis a few weeks ago. I am excited to start passing on the information to our American Legion Auxiliary members. We would like all members to get involved in helping veterans, their families, and our San Luis Obispo community. Everyone has a talent that can be shared no matter if it is small or large.
- Annual Silent Auction and Raffle: November 16, during the Wednesday night dinner
- Start collecting auction items
- Family Fun Day: we will be helping on September 24
- Veterans Day: on November 11, a day when we honor all who served
- Christmas Dinner: with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus
- Toys or gift cards ($15 or so) to make Christmas a little brighter for kids in need
- 2023 Girls State: preparations will begin in December with interviews of young lady candidates being held in January or February. Girls State is a nationally renowned program to help our youth better understand how our government functions. If you want to help with the Girls State interview, please contact me. I am the Girls State Chair for Unit 66 and District 16.
Laurie Richards
Unit 66 President
The American Legion Auxiliary
Squadron 66, SONS of The American Legion
Hello everyone, for those who have not met me yet, I’m Bob Evenson, your newly elected Son’s Commander for Post 66.
I have lived in San Luis Obispo County my whole life, and have supported the American Legion for many years as a guest, as well as being part of a BBQ Crew for many years.
I would like to start with a meaningful quote
“The only real failure is the failure to try.” — Judi Dench
This position of Squadron Commander is very new to me; therefore, I will be looking for help & support from our members of the Sons, along with all the members of our Post 66 American Legion Family. We are all one family!
My plan is to have Squadron 66 be more involved with all activities at the post and to have the Sons sponsor several activities throughout the year.
All Legion members are welcome to attend our monthly meetings. Our Squadron meets on the first Monday of each month unless there is a holiday. I am looking forward to meeting many more members.
Respectfully,
Bob W Evenson
Commander, Squadron 66
Sons of The American Legion
It is through the kindness of our American Legion Family that Post 66 succeeds.
Volunteering is a kindness to those we serve. It is also a kindness to other members of our Legion Family
who also volunteer their service for many hands make light work.
- Monday Night Socials: developing menus, meal preparation, serving meals, and clean-up. Make it fun and help put together a team to work together!
- BBQs: Barbeque teams for our once-a-month membership barbeque dinners (2nd Wednesday of every month).
- Bartenders: Bartenders are needed for Monday Night Socials, once-a-month Wednesday membership BBQs, and special events (hall rentals for private parties).
- Greeter: Volunteer to welcome people when they arrive at Post 66.
- Post Maintenance: Our Post 66 building needs some kindness, if you want help Mario Perez, Facilities Manager will appreciate your kindness.
- Family Fun Day:
American Legion Fast Fact: In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the original GI Bill, or Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, ushering in monumental changes in U.S. society. Six months earlier, The American Legion wrote the first draft of what later became the “GI Bill of Rights” – considered The American Legion’s single greatest legislative achievement. Higher education becomes democratized after 8 million veterans go to school on the GI Bill, get better jobs, buy houses in the suburbs and raise families.
Save the Date
Monday Night Socials start at 4:30 p.m., meal service starts at 5 p.m. for $8.
- September 5, Labor Day, POST CLOSED
- September 7
5 p. m, Auxiliary Meeting
6:30 p.m., Legion Membership/Business Meeting - September 11, Patriots Day
9-11 ceremony at Firehouse #1 in San Luis Obispo. 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. - September 12
4:30 p.m., Monday Night Social
6 p.m., Sons Meeting - September 17, Medical shed clean-up
- September 19
4:30 p.m., Monday Night Social
6 p.m., Sons Meeting - September 24, 9 a.m. – Department Executive Committee (DEC) (virtual)
- September 24, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Post 66 Family Play Day - September 26
4:30 p.m., Monday Night Social
6 p.m., Sons Meeting
- October 10, Columbus Day, POST CLOSED
- October 21-23 California American Legion College
- December 17, Wreaths Across America Program
September Menu
Monday Night Socials
Monday Night Socials start at 4:30 p.m., and meal service starts at 5 p.m. for $8.
Sept. 5 – Labor Day Holiday – Legion closed
HATS OFF!
Hats Off to our Legion Family members for being good active members of our Post 66 Legion Family.
- Betty Bristol & Laurie Richards (Auxiliary)
Always being ready to take on tasks with a smile and a priceless dedication to The American Legion. - Mario Perez (Legionnaire)
For painting the mess hall after it sustained minor damage to the wall - Jeff Pillars (Lgionnaire)
Our new Sgt-at-Arms - Dave Glidden (Legionnaire)
Master of Ceremony, 9-11 Ceremony
If you know of a Legion Family member doing good work that we should take our Hat Off to, us the “Hats Off” nomination for.
September Meeting Topics
- Introduction of our new Sgt-of-Arms – Jeff Pillers
- Nomination & Election Post Adjutant
- Facilities Manager Mario Perez will give an update on bids for termites and needed facility maintenance, including; Painting of the front of the Post 66 porch area as well as some damage sustained in the mess hall that needs touching up.
- Update on the status of the 911 program.
- Clean up day at Post, 9/17. The medical shed needs to be cleaned and reorganized. Gutters need cleaning and trees need trimming.
- Report from Finance Manager as well as the status of our investments.
- Play Day at the American Legion. 9/24.
- Sons will be cooking hot dogs and serving chips, water and sodas.
The Tomb of the Unkown Soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier serves as a symbolic grave for all war dead whose remains have not been found or identified.
The Tomb began with one unknown service member from World War I, and today is the grave of three unidentified service members. Its meaning has evolved to represent the memory of all military members throughout American history.
Member Survey
The Member Survey has been helpful in helping us to get to know our members better.
If you have not completed our Member Survey,
please do.
