COMMANDER – Al Norton

I want to give great big thank you to the Sons of the American Legion. Our walk-in cooler quit working this month. The cost to repair it was 2166.23, that could have set our patio project back some. The SAL stepped up and gave a $1000 to help with the repair costs. You guys are great!

The outside door to the patio will be installed on 7/2/16. All of the labor is free, thanks to Jonathan Mendoza, Bob Nellis, Donnie Polstin and Deone Harty. We will be looking for a firm estimate on the cover this month.

I attended the Department Annual convention June 25 th & 26 th . It was interesting and informative; we also elected the new department officers.

Our new officers for Post 44 were sworn in at our June meeting they are:

• Commander-Al Norton
• 1st Vice commander – Neil Thornton
• 2nd Vice Commander – Becky Burcher
• Adjutant – Tom Cleveland
• Financial Officer – Bob Nellis
• Sgt at Arms – Bill Conklin
• Judge Advocate – Bob Acre
• Chaplain – Vince Hadley
• Trustees-Warren Rainwater, Richard Kouldelka, Brian Nikiforow

Our term is from July 1st 2016 to June 30th 2017. We need to start looking for next years officers right away. As a reminder this is my 3rd and final term according to our bylaws. All organizations need leadership. Step up and help us, we now have 2 open positions, Historian and Service Officer.

God Bless all of you. God bless America.

Charity & Education 
May Charity:  Charity donations for May, provided by gaming proceeds was $3,534.07.  Recipients include: American Legion Department, $635.07; T or C Veterans Memorial Trust, $450; Auxiliary for care packages, $269.00; SCCA, $250 for cancer patient transportation; Sierra County Swim Team, $200; and Bountiful Babies of Sierra County, $200. $1500 was allocated for upcoming scholarships.

Any requests for charity funds must include name of organization/individual, mailing address, phone #, reason for request (how funds will be used) amount requested & who check should be payable to.  New Mexico Gaming Control Board has strict policy regulations that limit payments to individuals & special circumstances apply.  Youth sports, non-profit groups (501C3), scholarships and field trips are authorized, pending availability of funds.  To ensure consideration, requests should be submitted 2 months in advance.

Finance Officer- Bill Conklin
No report

Activities Committee – Kathy Norton and Linda Amdal

Thank you, Gene Hill, for fixing the fluorescent lights in the Post!!  Let there be light!  Also, congrats to you for being selected as our volunteer of the month!  Snuck that one by you!!  You Rock! And thanks for all you do at the Post!

Congratulations to Melanie Millsap for being selected as our Volunteer of the Quarter!!  We all appreciate everything you do!!

A special open house is scheduled for Thursday, July 14 th , from 9 to 12 for Veteran’s Benefits information.  This is sponsored by the state to provide medical and special programs information for our rural veterans. Watch the newspapers for more specifics, as the date draws nearer.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Arnold Jarvis on Saturday, July 23 rd at 2:oo p.m.  The Legion and Moose Lodge 2050 will be officiating.  There will be a pot luck following the service.

Sunday, July 24th we will be having a “Christmas in July” craft fair and yard sale.  Contact Linde Polstin at the Post Monday through Wednesday or watch for flyers.

Thank you for supporting our activities; we look forward to seeing you at the Post!!

COMMANDER – Al Norton
May has been a pretty fair month. We can tell summer is coming because business is starting to slow a bit.

Mothers Day brunch was excellent. Thank you Master Chef Gene Barton, head cook Neil Thornton for your outstanding performance. We had plenty of food. About 40% prepared was left over. We do need volunteers from the Legionnaires for the 2nd week of every month in the kitchen. Instead of splitting tips each person gets a free meal or 2 drink chips, which could be more then the tips.

Post 44 was able to give out seven scholarships for $500.00 apiece to very deserving students. A few of the students already have over 40 college credits before graduating High School. This is pretty awesome!

The Department of Veteran Affairs Rural Division is putting on a benefit fair on July 14th 2016, 9:00 am to noon at Post 44. We are hoping to have at least 15 vendors who provide services to Veterans here. I urge all vets to attend; there could be services out there that we aren’t aware of. The American Legion Service officer from Albuquerque is expected to be here.

Remember participation & socializing with friends at Post 44 is our life blood.

God Bless everyone and God Bless America

Charity & Education:
May distributions from Gaming proceeds to the community were $2,914.45. Recipients were American Legion Department, T or C Veterans Memorial Trust, Post 44 Auxiliary Care Packages, SCCA, Moose 2050, American Legion District 7 for Oratorical Contest Prizes, Elephant Butte Anglers for Kid’s Fishing Tournament, Hot Springs High School JROTC Scholarship Fund and T or C Community Theatre.

Finance Officer- Bill Conklin
No report

Activities Committee – Kathy Norton and Linda Amdal
Many thanks to all that helped clean up the cemetery! The many hands made for lighter, faster work. It looks so much better!

Sat, June 4th, the SAL will be cooking up brats, potato salad and sauerkraut as a fundraiser starting at 5 p.m.

Check out the new T-Shirts for sale! They are awesome and only $12.00. We also have new koozies available at the bar for only $3.00.

Congrats and many thanks to Melanie Millsap as our June “Volunteer of the Month!” Mel has helped with breakfasts, Wednesday & Friday kitchen duties & has brought in lots of goodies to share with members and employees! Thanks, Mel, for all that you do!

Sat, June 18th, we will be celebrating Frank Kapela’s 75th birthday! Come on in to help him celebrate!

Father’s Day, Sunday June 19th, the Post member father’s will be treated to a complimentary pot roast dinner @ 5:00. All other guests will be $8.00. The scotch doubles pool tournament will begin that day @ 3:00.

Heads up for July – Fireworks will be on Sat, July 2nd on Rattlesnake Island. We are also making noises about doing a “Christmas in July” Craft Fair on Sat, July 23rd. Watch for further info or contact Linde Polstin at the Post.

Thanks for supporting our Post and we look forward to seeing you there!!