Financial Review Committee
On Thurs Feb 9 at the Post Governing Board Meeting, Commander Bob Veach appointed a Financial Review Committee of Mike McCormach, Chair and Loren Ruck, member. They are  to review the Posts finances and report to the Governing Board and the membership prior to the Post election at the May meeting.

Super Bowl at the Post
On Sunday Feb 5 there was be a Super Bowl Party at the Post to see the Giants just barely beat the Patriots. About 80 people attended. Most of those who attended brought food to be part of the Super Bowl Buffet. Tim Sears and wife Marge spent most of the day warming food, moving it from the kitchen to the buffet table, putting our plates and utensils etc. Thank You Tim and Marge!

Another Honor Flight
On May 23 2012 there will be another Honor Flight to Washington DC for WWII veterans to see the WWII Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and other military monuments. If you know any WWII vet who has not been on an honor flight yet contact the Myrtle Beach Honor Flight POC Bill Krzyk at email: wkrzyk@sc.rr.com or contact Gordon Robinson at the Post  
                                                           
Loren Ruck wins Annual Chili Cook Off
On Sunday Jan 29 Loren Ruck won the 4th Annual Jay Cook Memorial Chili Cook Off. Pat Burkhart won 2nd place and Pat Laster was 3rd. After the judging all present were invited to taste every chili. There were 13 entries and all present at the Post had a great chili meal. The band Gramps with Amps put on a great show and every one had a good time. 

Membership meeting Wed Feb 15
At the membership meeting on Wed Feb 15 the following significant things occured: 

Adjutant Nelson Anderson reported we had 720 members paid which is our 12th year in a row of increased membership, far more than any other Post in the state. Much of this is due to Nelson Anderson who is a very dedicated, hard working Membership Chairman. The membership applauded Nelson.

Nelson Anderson read the financial report due to the absence of treasurer Bob Smith. We are in good shape financially

Russ Polizzotti reported this year we will sponsor a record 11 youth to state programs: 4 to Legion Boys State, 4 to Legion Girls State and 3 to the Jr Trooper Program

Mike Blandion was appointed as a "One Man Nominating Committee". If you would like to be nominated to a Post governing board
position, see Mike. We will have nominations from the floor at the Mar and Apr meetings, elections at the May meeting and Inslallation of officers at the June meeting.
  
House Committee Roger Milliman:
Feb 29 Leap Year Dinner, Ladies Aux, Chicken Provolone, $10.00, 5:30 - 7:30
Mar 3  Bowling for Baskets 
Mar 17 St Paddies day, Corn Beef and Cabbage, Noon to ?, price TBA, Sponsored by Nelson and Sue Anderson
Apr 21 Sat, Poker Run, Legion Riders
Apr 26 Thurs, Ladies Aux, Perogies and Kielbasa, 6:00 - 8:00pm

Flag Retirement Committee John Docherty:
The Calabash Legion has become the "Go to Organization" for old and damaged flags. The Post is now retiring American flags for: our Post, the Elks, the VFW and Wal Mart. On Thurs Jan 26 the Post Flag Retirement Committee performed the Flag Retirement Ceremony and spent 2 hours at the Calabash Fire Dept burning 2200 flags. Assisting Chairman Docherty were Post members; Willie Wilson, Mike McCormack, Bob Veach, Ray Van Arsdale, Dick Connolly, Dale Smith and Bill Hartwick from the VFW.

Larry Bollanger reported that the Aluminum Can Recycling Program (which is basically Larry, his wife and their Chrysler PT Cruiser ) has now recycled over 10 tons (10,178 lbs) of aluminum since he began running the program in Jan 2008. The program has produced $8,002 for the Post, $1,020 of which has gone to the Charity Food Baskets Program and the rest has gone to the Post treasury. The members gave Larry a standing ovation.

Lifestyle
 Dr Oz recently wrote that after 50 most of our health can be determined by lifestyle rather than heredity and environment. I do not believe this is true because if it were most of us regulars at the Legion would be dead.

Membership Meeting Wed Jan 18
At the membership meeting on Wed Jan 18 the following significant things occured:

Adjutant Nelson Anderson reported we had 702 members paid for 2012

Treasurer Bob Smith reported we were doing well financially and our mortgage was below what it was before we refinanced for the new lots

Godfather Nelson Anderson reported that for 2011 the Kitchen Crew served 1,907 breakfasts bringing in $10,104 of which $4,600 was profit for the Post. The Kitchen Crew is up to 48 people and more people are needed to allow some a month or so off. Great job Kitchen Crew!

The Legion Riders donated a new 42' TV set----Thank you Riders
The CVGA ( Calabash Veterans Golf Association ) donated a new 42' TV set------Thank you CVGA
                                                                                                                                                
Our Veterans service Officer Diane Larrowe is working with a group called Vacations for Veterans who are working to provide a free trip to the beach for our wounded veterans from Iraq and Afganistan. If you or any body you know has a beach home, condo or a time share that would contribute some time vet who earned a Purple Heart please contact Diane

There will be a Flag burning ceremony on Thurs Jan 26 at 9:00am

House Committee report: Legion Breakfast Sun Jan 22, SAL Breakfast Sun Jan 29, SAL Pasta Dinner Sat Feb 11, Bowling For Food Sat Mar 3, Legion Poker Run Sat Apr 28, Blood Drive Sat  May 12


Objection From a Former Sailor
"I object and take exception to anyone saying that Obama and Congress are spending money like a drunken sailor. As a former drunken sailor, I quit when I ran out of money"


Military Banks and Insurance Companies
In these day when people are changing banks due to fees, there are some military options to consider:
USAA(United Services Automobile Association), San Antonio TX. USAA was only military officers for about 50 years, opened to active enlisted personnel in 2000 and to all vets in 2008. They insure cars, motorcycles, motor homes, boats, and homes ( regular homeowners, National Flood Program and NC Wind and Hail Program), have credit cards and brokerage accounts. Your Webmaster has insured through USAA for 35 years. See USAA.com, 1-800-531-USAA(8722)
Pen Fed CU(Pentagon Federal Credit Union) in Alexandria VA. Not as well know as USAA but has 1,ooo,ooo members and 15 billion in assets. Vets can join through the National Military Family Association(one time fee). Has banking, credit cards, car loans, Home Equity Loans, Mortgages.
Your webmaster has banked through Pen Fed CU for 25 years. See Penfed.org/join, 1-800-247-5626. Neither of the above charge any banking, checking or credit card fees. 


Retirement
People ask what I do. Well, I'm fortunate to have a chemical engineering background and one of the things I enjoy most is turning beer, wine, Scotch and Margaritas into urine.

Committee to Evaluate Future Expansion of the Post ( CEFEP )
The Committee to Evaluate the Future Expansion of the Post is made up of: Joe Roundy,Chair: Gordon Robinson, member and Tim Sears, member.  The function the committee was given, when it was appointed by Commander Veach, was to evaluate the possibility of future expansion of the Post and to present the Governing Board with the pros and cons of each option. It is a committee to evaluate options and make recommendations not to take action. The committee seeks opinions from all members. The Committee strongly recommends you put your opinion on paper and make 3 copies. Whatever member you give the copies to will give a copy to the other two members so you opinion and reasoning is clear to all 3 members.  The Committee tentatively plans to make a report to the Membership some time in the fall.


Post Cleaning Committee
Bill Snyder made an urgent appeal for assistance with the Post Cleaning Committee which works
from 9:00 to 10:00 Wed and Sat, one day every week or two is ok. Call Bill at 579-0079 or 266697

Choices in Life
My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician and, to tell you the truth, there's hardly any difference                                                                                                                                                         Harry Truman      

Defination of a Veteran
A veteran is a person, who at some time in their life, wrote a check payable to ' The United States of America' for any amount up to and including their life.
A veteran is a person who took a chance on giving all their tomorrows for other Americans todays