Auxiliary- President- Linda Nenno 575-642-6161

We want to encourage people to come out and enjoy the activities at the Post, but there are a few things you need to remember. It is state law that you MUST have a picture ID whenever you enter an establishment that serves alcohol. In addition, you must have your American Legion membership card on your person or you must be signed in as a guest.

The SID inspectors have been making the rounds and if we are found to be in violation of these rules, it could cost the Post a lot of money. Please be proud to show your card to the bartenders when they ask to see it. And remember, they are people also, so treat them kindly. Many times the Post is very busy and you might have to wait a few minutes to get service.

We hosted a record 11 Veterans for dinner this month. This is becoming a very popular event and more and more are wanting to attend. It is nice to be able to offer them something that makes them smile.

We made visits to HSHS, Manzano, and Hatch High School to present the Girls State program. Hopefully, we’ll have some girls who want to attend. Everyone who has attended in the past reports that it is a wonderful experience. If you know of a girl (or boy) in the area who is finishing her Jr. year in high school and would like to attend, please let me know.

I’m sure there are some home-schooled students out there who would enjoy this experience.

At our March meeting, we presented a Blue Star Banner to Doug and Judy Harris in honor of their son-in-law, SMSgt. David R. (Doc) Kiesling, USAF. We initiated 14 members. It was so nice to see those new faces at the meeting. We hope they will continue to attend meetings and get involved in programs that interest them. We also had a visit from District 7 President, Maureen Harrop. She thanked us for our support of Oak Street Apartments, which is her project for this year. They are always in need of toilet paper, bar soap, and laundry detergent, and any donations are greatly appreciated.

We will be having our first big Poppy Distribution Memorial Day weekend, so if you have a couple of hours to spare, contact Sharon Pierson at 740-3639 or skpierson@live.com . She can always use more help with these poppy drives.

Program of the month: Americanism

Americanism Committee, Liz Foster, Chairman

Purpose Statement
To inspire, recognize, and perpetuate responsible citizenship through education and acts of patriotism, in order to raise awareness and increase appreciation of the price paid for our fundamental freedoms.

Respect is both earned and learned. The fundamental value of the American Legion Auxiliary is showing respect for our country and our nation’s flag. The Auxiliary creates opportunities for Americans to do both. We share practical things everyone can do to better live as grateful, patriotic citizens. The Auxiliary provides learning opportunities and instructional resources for important things every good citizen should know such as learning about the Constitution, flying the flag on patriotic holidays, folding pocket flags to send to our troops overseas, and presenting flags to local schools and businesses. Our primary goal is to promote patriotism and responsible citizenship.

What Americanism projects has Unit 44 done this year:

• We published flag etiquette tips on Facebook. These are passed out as handouts at Unit meetings.
• At each monthly meeting, we discuss a portion of Americanism , i.e. Explanation of our Preamble, Flag Manners, Why You Don’t Walk Between the Colors and more.
• Members have signed up to receive notifications from TAL on when to display our flags at half-staff
• We participate in the annual Flag Disposal ceremony
• We have participated in every local patriotic events. Members have been given a list of all Patriotic Holidays in America.
• We present 2 Certificates of Appreciation each month to residents and businesses that fly the American Flag
• In April, we will have a pocket flag folding demonstration. These pocket flags are included in the Care Packages that we mail to troops overseas.
• Members signed up at City Hall who would call us if someone needed a ride to the polls on Election Day.
• We sponsored the Americanism Essay Contest at Arrey Elementary School, T or C Elementary School, Sierra Elementary School, and Manzano Christian School. 112 essays were judged and awards assemblies were held at each school. The top winners in each class were forwarded to Department for further judging.
• We participated in TAL Oratorical Contest. The winner from T or C will go to Indianapolis, IN for the national contest.
• We participated in the 9-11 Memorial Service.
• We have actively tried to locate families to present them with Blue Star Banners.
• Next year, we plan to join the Education Committee to participate in the “Star Spangled Kids” program.

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Upcoming events:

April 7—Activities meeting 2:00
April 9—Bake/Book sale at Breakfast
April 14—Exec. Committee meeting 10:30
April 14—Bunco 1:00
April 16—General membership meeting 10:30
April 19—Ladies Lunch 12:30 at Johnny B’s
April 26—Bunco 12:00

Please check the Post calendar for other activities.

Membership—Linda Nenno

Membership keeps growing slowly. We now have 347 paid members, still a long way from our June 1 goal of 442. We have had a few new members join in the last few months, and that is wonderful. If you have not renewed, please do it soon. If you need assistance, contact me at 575-642-6164 or xsklmrm@msn.com. Invite your eligible friends to join. You, as a member know what good works we do in the community, and how much fun we have at the Post.

The Chaplain’s Corner Marty Novak for Linda Ross

PRAYER FOR THE MILITARY: Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.

GET WELL WISHES: Mae Benjamin, Liz Nellis, Joy Corpolongo, Linda Ross, Terri Smith, Maida Sanders, Sherry Pearce, Jack Hodges, Doug Leasburg, Pam Guillot, Karen Mogen, Pam Sallee, Bill Curlott, Papa Vince, Steve Holmes. Daughter of Ted and Moe Graham, Bette Polstin, Johanna Roberts, daughter of Al and Kathy Norton, Brenda Palmer, sister of Sharon Pierson, Arlea Hadley, Cathy Hill, sister of Pat Knull, and Kandy Layne.

OUR CONDOLENCES: The family of Mike Rose.

BE KINDER THAN NECESSARY

Be kinder than necessary,

For everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Love generously

And pray continually.

Live simply,

Speak kindly,

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…

It’s about learning to dance in the rain.

It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells

What kind of life you have lived.

Care packages- -Marty Novak

In March we sent 52 Care Packages. Thanks to our American Legion Family for the help and support they give us, to the members, non-members, groups, organizations, and business of our community for their monetary donations, memorials and donations of supplies and to all those who come to pack the boxes. It takes us all to keep this project going.

We always do Care Packages on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Our next packing day is April 13. Some of us arrive at 10 to start setting things up and making boxes. We start filling the boxes about 10:30 and we are usually finished by 11.

Anyone is welcome.

Cell Phones for Soldiers

We are still collecting used cell phones. These phones are sent for recycling and provide calling cards for our Troops. There is a collection container in the entry way of the Post.

What is a Veteran: A Veteran…whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve…is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America” for an amount of “up to, and including his/her life.” That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today, who no longer understand that act.