October 13, 2009

Notes from the Commander


These days we are happy with the things around us, but we are not the men and women who are in the field of battle today. Our pledge as an organization is to support these people. How do we give that support them when 2/3 of our Post isn't willing to pay dues or coming to meetings.
If you are not participating, is there a reason why? Yep you're veteran, you served your country, but your country still needs you and your thoughts, your ideas, and most of all your support. It's time to get off your duffs. If you are want to be a Legion Member come tells us what you want, bring ideas, give us your thoughts, be with your friends.
We need you at the meetings. We are trying hard to rebuild a great Post, but we can't do it on our own. WE NEED YOU.
If you won't come and give us your ideas, wants, and thoughts, lets shut the doors. I, as a new Commander, have all the faith in the world in you people. After all, you voted me in. Get active and come to the next meeting, the agenda is:
Bar Improvement
Winter activies
Turkey shoot
Thanksgiving dinner
Christmas party and Blessing
Being bold, there were 9 people at our last meeting. One night a month can't you come in and give your 2 cents worth, show your support? I want your input, I need your participation. Your Post needs you to stand up and support it like you were willing to do when your call came and you stood up to support your country. We don't want to leave the next generation of Veterans out in the cold.
Commander Bob Pyle

August 24, 2009

August 2, 2009

First off I like to thank all of you for the confidence and trust you have put in me by electing me Commander, I promise I will do my very best to honor that. 

I'd also like to welcome our new officers, Bill Johnson Jr as 1st Vice, Good ole Carl Adams continuing on as 2nd Vice, Tony O'Seland as adjutant, historian and chaplain, Joe Rodriguez as Sgt. at Arms and also continuing on Bob Childers Jr as Finance officer. 

This is year is going to be a growing year for all of us, new changes are on the way, for examples: The lounge enlargement, I am told the committee will have met by the time you read this. Your inquires and suggestions are welcome, but please put them on paper, so they are not confused.

New memberships have been slow so we are looking for ways to improve our membership drives and get more families into our Post. We also plan on more family oriented functions, like that great fish fry we had 7/18 (thanks to all who helped with it).

As with any change in command, I welcome any comments, suggestions or inquires, I offer you my home phone number if there is anything you'd like discuss on. 918-431-0036.

Please plan to attended our monthly meetings, because without your input we may flounder even longer in these goals.

Thank you,

Bob Pyle Commander Post 135

May 28, 2009

March 30, 2009

Post Commander - Frank Carlson
Hello member of Post 135. Just a couple reminders of upcoming events.

It is time again over the next two months for the 2009-2010 officer nominations. We really need volunteers to serve. Terms are for 1 Year, from July 01 to June 30. Hope to see you at the April 9th and the May 14th meetings so we can get the nomination process going. We really need your input to make sure that the next year will be a year where we can be more supportive of our members, veterans and veterans families. Remember elections will be on June 11th.

We're also in need of donations of candy, plastic Easter eggs and or money, for our second annual Easter egg hunt which will be held on Saturday, April 12th. Last year we had about 150 kids and they all had fun. We also had a great time last year, so come out and join us. The hunt will start at 0900 or 9:00am

By the way, we will be sponsoring five boys for Boys State and one girl for Girls State this year. The numbers keep on growing.

And just a note about our fist Fish Fry for 2009. It was tasty, it was good, and it was fun. Upcoming cook-outs and events for the Post and Auxiliary will be listed in the newsletter. Please come out.

I look forward to seeing you at the meetings and at Post 135 future happenings.

Thank you, Frank.

February 28, 2009

February 14, 2009

Special Notice from the Commanger.

William Isbell from Fort Gibson National Cemetary will be at our Meeting on April 9th to explain to us about benifits at the Cemetary. Please do not miss this meeting.

Frank Carlson Post Commanger

Greetings Legionaries,

In December 2008, a Holiday Dinner Party at the post was enjoyed by all, Members, Auxiliary and Family Members. Presents and goodies were given to the children and everyone had great Holiday fun with the silent Auction and the 50/50. Thank you all who participated in making the dinner a success.

To welcome in 2009, the Auxiliary and Legion Members Jerry Gay and Tony O'seland help a fund raising Spaghetti feed for the Post and Tahlequah community. Proceeds from th feed will be going to upcoming community events, such as the free Children's Easter Egg Hunt that will be held on the Saturday before Easter.

May events are in the works for 2009, plus the Post is making a few changes. To learn more, remember our meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00pm I hope to see you there.

Frank Carlson, Post Commander

November 27, 2008

Comrades,

September 24, 2008

August 3, 2008

February 24, 2008
Commander

December 21, 2007

 Post Commander Wes Benge--- I had to cancel this months general meeting due to the weather. I hope everyone gets through these storms safe and sound. For those who haven't paid their dues yet, you will be delinquint as of Jan. 1st, 2008 . This means you will be starting over in continuing years when you do decide to pay. In the past, we helped out by giving more time and lead-way, but we stop doing that. Besides, it is not fair to the rest of the members who did pay on time. So, please get your dues paid up. We are presently at 85% membership. You late members are holding the post back from attaining 100% goal. Why not look into PUFL, paid-up-for-life? You will get it at a lower rate, never have to worry about paying anymore if the dues raise again, and it will be easier for the Post membership worker. Only thing you will get in the mail will be a new card every year, instead of notices. My PUFL gives me a peace of mind and no more worries.     

Our first nominations of new officers will be in March and April meetings, so it is not to early to start thinking of running for office here at Post 135. We never fill up all the positions needed, and it is always good to have new blood with new ideas coming in, and to give other members a chance to be elected in office. I have to say, that we have managed very well and have a corp of helping hands jumping in there when needed.

If you can get to a computer, and get on our web site, you will see the tremendous accomplishments out here. www.oklegionpost135.org. Wado.

November 2, 2007

I want to thank everyone who volunteered and participated in our first all Post community project. It is a positive showing of our all of our going ons here in Oklahoma. We made a smashing point to the public of what the American Legion can do for you and then some. I was very proud of all of you, and watched in amazement the hard working volunteers under tremendous pressure to get it out in time, and making it a night to remember. I see it as a turning point to some of the negative comments against my positive comments about the post and the members, that I have been saying all along. This will show them! From a very grateful Commander; God Bless you and THANK YOU! Commander Wes.

10/18/2007

    We have a full set of officers now, so now we can do business. The next two meetings will have on our agenda, the review of the by-laws. Try and make it if you can and help out the review. It has to be reviewed every five years. 

The District meeting in Muskogee Post 15 is Saturday, Oct. 27, at 9am. It is open to every member.

The Veterans Day Parade will be on Saturday, November 10th, at 11am, in downtown Tahlequah. Nobody has come forth with suggestions of an entry, so I decided to just enter our Color Guard. I don't know how we could ever top last years P.O.W. entry, which won 1st place, thanks to our Historin, Richard Krug. He put in alot of work on it and recieved a trophy.  

The Ladies Auxilary is doing a fantastic job on the Halloween Carnival on Oct. 31st. We could use more volunteers, and it is just for two to three hours only, so come on out and help support your Post and Community.

Log on to www.oklegionpost135.org.  Commander Wes.

9/1/2007

Post Commander~Wes Benge

We have two new officers which I appointed to fulfill our Post's conducted business. They are Bill Johnson Jr., as 1st Vice Commander, and Jerry Gay, as the Chaplin. We need five officers to conduct and pass motions brought on to the floor, and they said they will fill in at least till next year. On behalf of our post, we thank them for helping out. Remember, this is "our post", and not "my post". The commander's duty is to delegate, and over see, and not to do the other officer's work. He does not even have a vote as to what is going to pass or not to pass. When a post is short of officers, then the commander has the duty to approve things. You can read this on the web site of the American Legion under the "Officers Guide Book". This is going to help out tremendously because I never wanted to be the only voice at the post. It was thrust upon me because of lack of participation. Again, this is "our post", not "my post! Join in with us! I would like to tell you about a rule we pasted a year ago, and that is to only allow members or friends and family of the members, to rent out the room at the post. You have to be present to rent out the place, and you can never rent out the bar. Our beverage license doesn't allow that. Call the post for more details. 4566768 National will be sending out the second notices on you dues if you haven't paid yet. I know they say 25 dollars due, because after we voted on the 30 dollar dues, it was sent in to National after they printed the notices. Also, there was a big misunderstanding as to when the Legion year starts. It has always been July to July. I found out that members were informed in the past of it being Jan. to Jan. Now I know why some members called the post in Jan. thru July asking for their cards. Hope this clears thing up. Most of you know the history of the legion, though, and didn't call. We are caught up now, and things got corrected. We are back in business! Stay informed by logging on to the web site. http://www.oklegionpostl35.com Come meet the new State Commander on his tour on Thursday, Oct. 4th, at 9am -9.30 am at the post. We will have coffee and donuts. Ask him anything you like. He is a real, " go getter" who I think will do great for the State. Also, the District Convention will be at Muskeogee Post 15, on Sat., Oct 27, 9am-1pm. We will be printing the Newsletter every other month starting this month, to save money. Send in your membership dues now, so we can budget now, out future here, at Post 135.

7/26/2007

6/27/2007

6/1/2007

It has been a year now since I was elected as your commander, and I feel that it was a very progressive year. We have done more for the post and the members than I expected to happen on a short notice.I was asked to run for commander after transferring back to Oklahoma from San Diego, where I was working full time and being a post commander for ten years. To tell you the truth, I was planning on retiring as a commander and just help out at the new post. One of the many things that was accomplished here at 135 that should rate as the number one item, as would be in any othe posts, is the 103 % membership that we got.It was up from 70% the previous year.I feel that alot of this was the result of the personal post cards to over 130 members I wrote to, asking to send in your renewals and stating that this place is under new management of officers. Sort of like starting over again! Then, word spread around of the great comradeship and fun getting together, cook outs, and different ideas produced by the enthused new members. Sometimes people say to me, "you can't do this and that'"or "the rules you must abide", etc. I say, why can't we do this? If it doesn't work, at least we tried. I use the book as guidelines. Life is to short to be ruled to death! Now the post is back on its feet! So, now, retention of membership is the new project for the next year. I have proven ways to do this also, if everyone sticks by me again. Another item of great interest building is the new awesome web site that was created by a concerned member who wanted to do something for his post without being able to drive the long distance from Tulsa . I've received tremendous applauses from viewers after the logged on it, and not just from the locaarea, but from all over the country! They think it is the best web site ever! Check it out for yourselves. http//:www.oklegionpost135.org It covers just about everything that is happening out at the post and activities and then some.
I applied for a charter of the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 135, and after a long wait, I received it and now we have over 25 members who now belong here. Also, after a lull, I finally am getting the Auxilary going again with new 'lionesses" with new ideas. This will make a stronger post with a Unit, and the Sal. We haven't forgot the past requests that was put in from the previous years. A whole new electrical rewireing and a brand new beverage cooler and storage; a back door was put in for anothe exit,and we should be getting a new flag pole any day now. We have plans of adding on new additions, which is sorely needed if we are to continue to grow in membership. The building got smaller! Founded in 1973. We started up with Boys State again after a lull, continued supporting a child at the childrens home in Ponca City, and successfully brought in a legion baseball team to Cherokee County. We entered parades and recieved awards for it, participated in funerals, school assemblies. and the lists goes on! I see members getting out there to help fix things, cooking or grilling, cleaning and doing everything under the sun, without me asking them! They just see the need, and jump in there, making me the proudest commander in eastern Oklahoma. Because of all the members, employees, and friends, I was elected to District Commander, a position for future Post 135 advancements. We will be having a flag retirement at the Post on Flag Day, June 14th, at 5pm . It is suppose to be at dusk, but we have a post meeting at 7pm, and the participating scouts will get back home earlier. See you then. Wado.

5/13/2007

It will be a very busy month of May for the dedicated legionaires from around our country, mainly because of my favorite holiday, Memorial Day and the planning days for the special observance. Out here in my community, we have many old, kept up graveyards, that is always visited by the local scouts, helping out with the flag placings, that our post provides. I will try to make it to most of them, if I can find them! I am still new to the area here and a lot of the sites are 'backyard graveyards".

My wife and I visited our sponsored child at the American Legion Childrens home and met for the first time our posts child. He has been there for seven years now and will be graduating from high school in May. He will be eighteen in July and will have to move out then, to make room for another. The home was started in 1928 for children who has lost both parents through war or sickness. Well, now they are letting in other cases of needy children and are squeezing out the veterans children because of the 1970 laws of equal rights, when you are receiving grants or donations from a sanction organization of the government. The organization of the Human Resources are helping out monetary, but it all goes to the non veterans children. The current home director is asking the State American Legion fora new dorm building just for veteran children, because they have to turn away many of them noting over crowding. It is a sad thing to hear, when both parents are deployed over seas, and you wonder if anything is done to take care of the abandoned veterans children, opposed to the others. We don't take care of our homeless veterans either. At a recent conference of City Mayors in Chicago, a study was reported on the fact that 42% of the homeless are veterans, and mostly war heros! The legion has made tremendous strides to curb these two issues of great importance; but it keeps getting out of reach for us to do anything, because of the politics involved. I say, "lets get back to the basics"! Remember our motto? "Veterans helping Veterans and their Families", and" Still Serving God and Country". The government is sending millions of dollars to other countries for humanitarian aide, but forget about the veterans aide. Why go to war if you and your family won't be taken care of? The war torn country that we were sent to is always being taken care of with our aide. Write the congress! Take issue!

Anybody who wants to help and donate to the American Legion Childrens home should also state as to where the money should go, like an veterans child, or towards a new dorm, etc. If you don't, it may be going to other causes that is already been taken care of. Maybe after the war is over, the government can divide it up among other cases, but they are short of shelters and such, for the very thing it was set up to be, for the American Legion Childrens Home of veterans.

We need your help! Date dependent.
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4/9/2007
         Nominations as you all know, are April, and I have always wondered as to why there is never an abundant showing of participation to join the ranks at the time. I personally have fun helping veterans and families and the youth, even though it takes most of my free time. I always felt while working 40 plus hours at my job was for me and family, and doing Legion work was called God's work. I hope to go to heaven and be let in because I was doing God's work here on earth. I think medical professionals do God's work also, but they don't get the satisfaction like I get because they get paid for their work. Doesn't seem like the same thing. Volunteering at your posts is self gratifying, and it doing God's work here on earth.

4/9/2007    Click here to view Honoring the Fallen and photos.
         I had a new experiennce in my commander's duty recently. I had a tree planting dedication for a KIA Iraqi war hero (Sgt. William "B.J." Beardsley) from here, at the request of the Sgt. Mother. Well, it turned out to be bigger than I figured. Sixty "Patriot Guard Motorcyclist" came from other states and were led into the city with sirens blasting from police squad cars. They were very impressive to all of us gathered at the site at the local city park. If you have never heard of them, they come to funerals and the local police let them form lines in between the funeral and the anti-war demonstrators. When the demonstrators shout out their slurs and slogans at the grieving event, the bikers, who are mostly war veterans, rev up their motorcycles to where you can't hear the opposition! I thanked them all for being here and the leader told me that my speech was the best he had ever heard and wants me to go to other burial events and speak again. He Thanked me, and it was a good thing for me. Not just because I was hoping this would all turn out good for not anticipating a larger crowd, but, the guy looked scary to me! Thank God!

4/9/2007
        This was my speech after a short prayer
The memorial poppy in our wreath here, is a national symbol for the flowers in Flanders Fields that embodies the sacrifices of men and women who served and died for their country in all wars. The green stem means the young ages of the departed, the red petals signify their blood that was spilled, and the green wreath signifies the battlefield or green seas on which they fought. We now leave these poppies with you in your honor, and as an eternal reminder of the binding comradeship we feel for you.

       Even though a veteran is in mourning everyday, because another veteran has just died, we feel more sorrowful, and hurt more, when on doesn't come home. We veterans feel inside of ourselves a guilt feeling of coming home without out fellow freedom fighters, and thinking to ourselves,. "how could this happen, could I have helped and prevented this, and why must they die young?" Only God knows the reason. But we do know the reasons for fighting for our country, as we look around and see what we fought for. Peace, Family and Home. Since the day of creation, war starts, and young people die. I tend to think Sgt. Beardsley, was proud of his country, peace, family and home, and is now looking down at us right now saying; bury your sorrows in doing good deeds like I did, my soul has been set free? It is all part of the master plan, and we will each go alone.

       Sgt. Beardsley has helped to preserve out freedom, and I think we owe it to him, and in his honor, live free ad love our life here in earth, as he would have. Let's set him free to do what he has to do now in God's platoon. WE will miss him, but we should also, let him go. At ease Sgt! Stand Down! You did it. I would like to end this tree planting with a poem, but not just a poem, but which has significance about all of this. It was written by a famous poet who also lost his life as a soldier in WW1 at Marmne in France while with the Fighting 69th New York Irishers of the 4th Division. His name is Joyce Kilmer and like those of us away from home, tend to think of simple things that we never noticed before.

       It is named-Trees

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks a God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that many in summer wear,
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

3/1/2007
       Our April 12^th meeting will have as our guest, the Sons of the American Legion District Commander. He will give a speech on our new charter and the workings of it. Hope to see you SAL members there. Also on April 24^th we will be having a visit from the State Commander in the morning around eight-thirty am. So if you have any questions to ask him, now is the time to do it. A week later on the 28^th, Muskogee Post 15 will be hosting the district meeting with nominations of offices starting. If you want to vote, then be there at 9 am.