Notes from the Editor

 

    My wife and I just returned from the 120th VFW National Convention in Orlando. Newly transferred Post member, and 6th District Commander Gary Holmes, along with Auxiliary members Cathy Suchoski and Pat Ward, also attended. The weather was hot and muggy, but it was no worse than what we have been experiencing here in northern Illinois for the last several weeks; it also rained either in the morning or the afternoon of every day! We did not visit Mickey Mouse or any of the other full-time residents of the Orlando area (too many kids!)

Of course, it wasn’t all fun and games; we did have meetings and informational sessions to attend.  

 

     The members of the Post continue to improve the outward appearance of the Post Home. The back parking lot has been paved and the landscaping around the front of the building has been updated, including the addition of a new bench, dedicated in honor of Post and Auxiliary members Ed & Vera Harper.

    This has been accomplished while maintaining funds for daily operating expenses, routine and emergency facility repairs, along with our ongoing projects for veterans and community activities.  

    All of this takes money - approximately $200,000 in improvements in the last five years! It also takes expertise; most of which we have had to hire, not only because of the nature of the projects undertaken, but also because members who have the expertise have not stepped forward to volunteer their services.

    If you have expertise at ANYTHING, please step up and help out YOUR POST! Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

 

    The summer is going fast, so be sure to get outside and enjoy the numerous activities that are available in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Before you know it, the kids will be back in school!

 

   -Tom Cleland, Editor

_____________________________________________

IMPOSSIBILITIES IN THE WORLD

1) You can't count your hair.

2) You can't wash your eyes with soap.

3) You can't breathe when your tongue is out.

    Put your tongue back in your mouth! Sure you can still breathe ..... gotcha! 

 

Eight (8) Things I know about you. 

1) You are reading this.

2) You are human.

3) You can't say the letter ''P'' without separating your lips.

4) You just attempted to do it. Gotcha, again! 

6) You are laughing at yourself,

7) You have a smile on your face and you skipped No. 5.

8) You just checked to see if there is a No. 5.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

VFW and VFW Auxiliary Monthly Meetings

    The VFW and the VFW Auxiliary both hold their monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of each month (this month it is August 6th)

at 7:00 PM at the Post Home, 11385 2nd Street.

 

    There will be a joint meeting of the VFW and the Auxiliary at 6:30 PM. All VFW and Auxiliary members are invited to attend their respective meetings.

______________________________________________________________

From Commander Ruben Hernandez:

Fellow Comrades:

    First and foremost, I would like to CONGRATULATE the Post and Auxiliary, particularly those involved in constructing the Poppy Display, for winning 2nd Place Nationally! Winning 2nd Place nationally is a feat in itself. Post 2955 and its Auxiliary is a force to be reckoned with this coming year.

    The School Supply Grant program continues to be a success; giving a $30 gift card to children and grandchildren of Post and Auxiliary members who applied.

    We have created a Scholarship Committee to explore the feasibility of creating a Post Scholarship, which would be funded by proceeds from the Meat Raffles.

    We will soon be having “Red Shirt Friday,” whereby if you wear a designated red shirt on Friday, your second drink is free. The red shirt is to REMEMBER EVERYONE DEPLOYED. More details to come.

    Let’s keep in mind and support the Meat Raffles and our upcoming Fall Festival. Much help will be needed; take the Initiative and Volunteer. Volunteerism is greatly appreciated!  

PRIORITY GOAL: Membership retention and recruitment.

OUR MISSION: Veterans and their families first, as we strive to Honor all who served.

REMEMBER: The VFW is not a club, but a Post for all Military Veterans who share common experiences.

LET’S SHOW RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER AND ALL WHO PATRONIZE OUR POST BY USING PROPER VOCABULARY!

 

    THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR VOLUNTEERISM, AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

    Thanks to the Color Guard and Auxiliary members who participated in the July 4th parade at Hawks Point subdivision. This parade has been taking place for eighteen years, and we have been there every year!

___________________________________________________________    

 

    A lawyer with a briefcase can steal more than a thousand men with guns.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From VFW Auxiliary President Ann Stenberg:

    Hope everyone is having a good summer!  

 

    We want to thank everyone that came to our Wednesday dinner last month.

 

    Most of you know by now the Post and Auxiliary’s Poppy Display won Second Place at Nationals!!!! The Auxiliary had two members, Cathy Suchoski and Pat Ward, that attended the convention. Auxiliary members, please come to our monthly meeting, Tuesday, August 6th, to hear all about their trip and what they learned.

 

    The Auxiliary is doing two meat raffles this month; August 3rd and 17th. Come and join us, and have some fun.

________________________________________________________________

VFW Dinner

    This month it is the VFW’s turn to prepare and serve the monthly dinner on Wednesday, August 21st. The entree will be Italian Beef sandwiches, potato salad, coleslaw, cake and coffee. Serving will be from 4:30 - 7:00 PM; cost of the meal will be $6.00.

    Help will be needed on Wednesday for serving and for clean-up. Contact the Post Commander Ruben Hernandez at the Post for

more information.

________________________________________________________

From VFW Blood Donor Director, Chuck Ingle:

    Roscoe VFW Post 2955 will be hosting our Summer Blood Drive on August 13, 2019. Whenever you see me at the Post, please take the opportunity to reserve your donation time; or call me anytime at 815-979-7152. The Rock River Valley Blood Center will conduct

the Drive in the Hall from 3:00 - 6:30 PM. “Walk-ins” are always welcome, and we get extra excited about First Time Donors!

    For eligible donors, the gift of a pint of blood can potentially save three lives, guaranteeing an indescribable personal satisfaction, plus you will receive a coupon for a FREE pint of Culver’s frozen custard! Thanks for a great turnout last time, and help us to increase the number of units donated!

__________________________________________________________

“Take Me Out to the Ball Game!”

    The Post is sponsoring a bus trip to a Chicago Cubs baseball game. This day game against the San Francisco Giants will be played at Wrigley Field on Thursday, August 22, 2019, at 1:20 PM. There are 32 tickets available; ticket cost is $100 per ticket, which includes a ticket to the game and bus transportation to and from the game. The bus will leave VFW Post 2955 at 8:30 AM on that Thursday. Refreshments and snacks will be available on the bus.

    For tickets, or more information, see Bill Graves or Morrie Buffo. You need to get your tickets NOW or ASAP, so we can plan for snacks, etc. Thank you!

__________________________________________________________

VFW/Auxiliary Scholarship Programs

    Two of the premier programs conducted by the VFW and its Auxiliary are the Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen programs.

 

    The Voice of Democracy contest is an audio essay program open to students in grades 9 - 12, who are enrolled in a public, private,

or parochial high school, or home study program. The student must write, then record, an original essay on an audio CD or flash drive. The theme for this year’s contest is: “What Makes America Great.” The deadline to submit the entry to the Post is October 31st.

   

    The Patriots Pen program is a written essay program open to students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades, enrolled in a public, private, or parochial school, or a home study program in the United States. The student writes an original essay of from 300 - 400 words, then submits the essay to their local VFW by October 31st. This year’s Patriots Pen theme is also: “What Makes America Great.” 

 

    Awards are given at each level of competition, up to, and including the National level. If you have children, or grandchildren, eligible to enter either of these contests, please encourage them to do so. For more information, contact Tom Cleland, or go on the internet to www.vfw.org.

_________________________________________________________________  

ATTENTION!! New Kitchen Hours

    Effective immediately, the kitchen will be open only for lunch, from 11:00AM - 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday. It will also be open the third Wednesday of every month, for the VFW/Auxiliary dinners.

    NO grilled or fried foods will be available outside of lunch hours. Outside of lunch hours, a variety of pizzas, garlic bread and stuffed cheese pretzels will be available across the bar.

______________________________________________________________

 Horseshoe League Continues

    The Horseshoe league continues on Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM. The League usually runs through September. If you are interested in participating, or for more information, contact Matt Austin or Leonard Razim.

___________________________________________________________

Karaoke

    There will karaoke in the Canteen on Friday, August 2nd and Friday, August 16th, starting at 7:00 PM. Come on in to listen to the music, sing along with your friends, or even try your own voice at the Karaoke machine. Everyone is welcome to sing or just listen!

___________________________________________________________

Smart-ass Answers:

    A gate agent was stationed at the departure gate to check tickets. As a man approached, she extended her hand for the ticket, and he opened his trench coat and flashed her.

    Without missing a beat, she said, “Sir, I need to see your ticket, not your stub.”

______________________________________________

Upcoming Events

September 2        - Labor Day  

September 3        - VFW/Auxiliary Meetings

September 6 - 8   - Roscoe Fall Festival

September 18      - Monthly Dinner  

September 24      - VFW Board of Directors’ meeting