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Legion Family Concerns 

With heavy heart, I would like to advise that Retired Army Veteran Sean Ahearn passed away unexpectedly on Friday, 8th of March 2024.  Sean leaves behind his beautiful wife, Lindsay, and four adorable children Molly (8), Ellie (7), Maggie (5), and Jack (1).  Please keep Lindsay and her family in your prayers as she copes with this terrible loss.  Lindsay may the Lord keep you tightly wrapped in his arms and may your love and memories help soften your sorrow and fill you with God’s peace.

 

Services for Sean are as follows:

 

          DATE:  Friday, 15th of March 2024

          LOCATION:  St. Mary’s Church (81 Jordan Street, Skaneateles NY 13152)

          TIME:  10:00am

          PRIVATE BURIAL

Reception:  12:00pm (Location RJ Hydon American Legion Post 239, 1 Wainwright Lane, Skaneateles NY 13152)

 

The family has requested that you PLEASE DO NOT send flowers.  If you’d like to donate to the family, you can make it through the following GoFundMe account https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-ahern-family.

 

I, for one, have done a lot of self-reflection this weekend.  Life is so unpredictable and short.  Live life to the fullest, listen a little more, be more understanding than critical, and most of all BE KIND!

 

Please continue to keep the following in your prayers 🙏and good thoughts.

Pam Anastario (Rob Gray’s sister), Brad Cole, Maria Colon (wife of Willie Colon), Dick Cyphers, Sharon Gates, Isa Hubbard and family, Rick McElwain, Nancy Murray, Lee Overstrom, Mary Snyder (Duke Snyder’s daughter), Betty Walowsky (Karen Walter’s mom).

 

Please join our team of Veterans, Sons, and Auxiliary in saying a special prayer for our Veterans, or family of Robert J. Hydon American Legion Post 239 that are currently deployed,           

           Lt. Commander Conner Finlay (Navy)

          Airman First Class Jeremy Meili (Air Force)

          Staff Sergeant Ryan Meili (Air Force)

          Specialist Kyle Witten (Army)

 

Lunch – Saturday, 16th of March 2024

Saturday’s lunch is being hosted by The Veterans.  Lunch is being prepared by Kurt and Cathy Reilley, Frazier Hunt, and Crompie.  They’ll be preparing Goulash, a garden salad, and dessert. Perfect day to venture out and enjoy a nice hot meal as the high for Saturday will be 49 with AM showers.  Can’t beat the price still only $10.00.  Lunch will be served from 12:00pm-1:30pm.  You won’t be disappointed with the meal or the company.  If you can’t stay, no problem, lunch can be taken to go. Hope to see you there! 😊

 

Community Service Report

Hope everyone has been calculating your community service hours since November 2023 until present.  Dot Pitman will need your report no later than the 28th of March as she has until the 1st of April to get combined unit hours to the County Community Service Chairperson.  Attached is a copy of the report.  If you have any questions, or if you don’t have time to fill out a report, please call Dot at 315.685.6968 or email her at dpitman@verizon.net.  She normally only gets reports from about 20 members, and we have 118.  Let’s see if we can break this cycle and get more members to submit their reports.

 

Monthly Lunches

The Auxiliary hosts lunch at the Legion the 2nd Saturday of every month, unless something comes up and we need to switch days.  If anyone has a signature dish and is interested in preparing the luncheon, please let me know.   I can provide you with the details and answer any questions.   Call (315) 567-3143 or email me at

keyerita@gmail.com.  Our next luncheon is scheduled for the 13th of April 2024.

 

Attachment(s)

Please take a moment to review the following attachments – County Minutes for February 2024 meeting, Military Documentary presented by USMC Colonel (Retired) Rob Gadjo, and a note card from Bunny McLaud.

 

 

 

St. Patrick’s Day Raffle                                        

Last week to purchase St. Patrick’s Day Raffle Tickets.  For our snowbirds or out of town members, if you are planning to purchase tickets, please put them in the mail no later than Wednesday, 13th of March to ensure that we receive them in time.  Thank you everyone who returned their tickets thus far.  Additional tickets, if needed, are available at the Legion.  Please share with your family and friends.  The drawing will be held on Sunday, 17th of March at 1900 hours.  Commander Shearer will once again draw names for us. 

 

 

Dick Pitman St. Patrick’s Day Brunch

Last call to sign up for brunch if you haven’t done so already.  Brunch will be served on Sunday, 17th of March 2024, from 9:30am-11:30am (last seating at 11:15am). Brunch will consist of Corn Beef Hash with eggs, pancakes, sausage, hashbrown casserole, homemade breads, OJ, and coffee all for $10.00 per person, plus $5.00 Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s.   All proceeds will go toward the Dick Pitman Memorial Fund.  Such a great cause, please join us.  Please text Sheri at 315.730.4450 by Wednesday, 13th of March to make your reservation.

 

 

Wednesday Hotdog Night – 13th of March 2024

 

 

                    

      Time – 4:30pm-7:00pm

      Cost - $2.00

                    VETERANS – EAT FREE

 

Hotdog nights will continue on a smaller scale during the    winter months.

 

 

Thursday Soup Night – 14th of March 2024

 

7 Can Bean Soup

Potato Leek Soup

Soups will be served with 

          Crusty Bread Donated by Rosalie’s

Cost:  $5.00

Time:   5:00PM Until Gone

Loving Made By:  Frank Catanzarita and Jenn Skiff

 

Friday Fish Fry (15th of March 2024) has been CANCELLED!!

Our next Fish Fry will be held on Friday, 22nd of March 2024.

Fish dinners will start at 5:00pm and end at 6:45pm.  Dinner reservations MUST BE MADE by Thursday, 21st of March by 8:00pm.  Walk-ins will be accepted with limited quantities available.  Dinner reservations can be made by calling the Legion at 315-685-7614 between the hours of 4:00pm-10:00pm DO NOT LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THE ANSWERING PHONE. (Please tell the bartender the number of fish or shrimp dinners you’d like to order, the time, and if it’ll be to go or dine in.  Dinner menu will be Haddock ~ $16.00, Shrimp (6) ~ $18.00, Blackened Fish Tacos with one side ~ $14.00, Chicken Tenders ~ $14.00 - *Add on 4 Shrimp to any meal for $7.00*.  All dinners include (except for fish tacos) one side, coleslaw, lemon, tartar, or cocktail sauce. 

~ Sides ~ Sides will vary week to week and will be posted at each fish fry ~ Fries $3.00, Onion Rings $5.00, Baked potato with sour cream $3.00, Macaroni and Cheese $5.00 and extra Coleslaw $2.00.

                                                 

Corn Beef & Cabbage Dinner

Sons of the American Legion

Annual Corned Beef Dinner
 Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potato and Carrots
  Saturday, March 16, 2024
 $20.00 per person
 Takeout 5pm - 6pm
 Seated Dinner 6pm - 7pm - please bring a place setting
 Sign up at the post by Thursday, the 14th before 6:00 PM
 Sign up quickly, quantities and seating are limited.  

Queen of Hearts

The Queen of Hearts 10th game drawing was held on Sunday, the 10th of March 2024. The name drawn was George Knight no number was picked so defaulted to 1st unpicked number which was #1 uncovering the 10 of Diamonds paying $5.00.  The Pot will be $500.00 until ticket sales exceed $845.00 and then you’ll see the pot begin to grow.  Tickets sales will still only be a $1.00 and you know that old lottery saying a “Dollar and a Dream.”  Next drawing time will be 1900 hours (7:00pm) on Sunday, 17th of March, come join in the fun in pursuit of that elusive “Queen of Hearts”.

 

Cards sent out the week of 3rd of March through 9th of March 2024

          “Get Well Cards”

            Sean Ahern

            Judy Bettis

          “Thinking of You Cards”

            Lindsay Ahern

                Jessica Johnstone

              Bob Longway

            Jill & Doc. Newton

            Lee Overstrom

          “Sympathy Cards”

            Ahern Family

            Linda Lee

 

If you know of anyone that we need to send a card to so that they know we are thinking about them and they are in our prayers, please send an email to Lori Milne.  Her email address is lalmilne@gmail.com.

 

Scholarship Applications
 Scholarship applications for the Steen Family Memorial Scholarship and the John Manilla Memorial Scholarship will be available at the Post behind the bar and at the following local schools, Skaneateles, Marcellus, Auburn, Jordan-Elbridge, Moravia, and BOCES.  Applications need to be submitted no later than the 10th of May 2024.

 

Happenings at Post 239 This Week

Wednesday, 13th of March 2024 – Hotdog Night – Time 4:30pm-7:00pm.

Thursday, 14th of March 2024 – Soup Night – Time 5:00pm until GONE.

Saturday, 16th of March 2024 – Sons Topsy Traditional Corn Beef Dinner – Time 5:00pm-6:00pm TAKE-OUT 6:00pm-7:00pm DINE IN (Pls bring own place settings).

Sunday, 17th of March 2024 – Queen of Hearts – Time 1900 hours (7:00pm)

Sunday, 17th of March 2024 – St. Patrick’s Day Raffle – Time:  Immediate after Queen of Hearts Drawing

 

Easter Egg Hunt

Our 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on the 23rd of March 2024.  The Easter Egg Hunt is open to the public for children 10 and under at no charge.  After the Egg Hunt, children will have an opportunity to take their picture with the Easter Bunny and enjoy some Hot Chocolate and Dessert.  We are looking for candy donations to fit inside small Easter Eggs.  If you’d like to donate, please drop off at the Legion prior to the 20th of March as we’ll be stuffing the eggs on the 21st of March 2024. 

 

Red Dog HMLA-773

Task Force:  Red Dog a Military Documentary of a Marine attack helicopter squadron in Afghanistan 2003-2005.  It was the first show on the new Military Channel.  There will be in person and video link members of the squadron as well as the producer and cameraman to introduce the film and answer questions.  This was the squadron that our own Legion Veteran, Rob “Pyro” Gadjo Colonel USMC (Retired).  The documentary will be shown with two presentations on Friday, 22nd of March, the documentary will be presented twice at 1300 hours and the second one at 1900 hours.  Location Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange Street, Auburn NY 13021 – Both showings are Free for Veterans and $6.00 general admission.  Let’s see if we can get our Legion Family to fill those seats! 

 

 

Legion Chili Cook-Off            

 

Are you ready for the challenge??

The Legion will be holding their 1st Annual Chili Cook-Off – Battle of the Legion Family.

Let’s see who makes the best Chili Ever!! – Veterans, Auxiliary, or Sons.  You pick the type whether it is traditional, spicy, sweet, vegetarian, chicken, or venison – let’s see who will earn bragging rights. 

          DATE:      Saturday, 6th of April 2023.

          TIME:       6:00pm-8:00pm

          COST:      $10.00 per person

If you are interested in featuring your specialty chili or plan on attending to vote for your favorite chili, please text Rita Keyes at 315.567.3143 or email at keyerita@gmail.com.  Chili’s will be tasted anonymously so attendees who are sampling the chili’s won’t know who made which one.  4 oz containers will be provided to taste each of the chili’s entered.  Saltine crackers will also be available to have in between each tasting.

The winner will either receive drink chips or a bottle of cheer (prizes haven’t been decided yet), as well as name on a plaque with bragging rights.  We work so hard all year long to support our Veterans and Veterans family, let’s take some time out to have fun with our Legion Family.  This is an event you don’t want to miss.

 

Lenten Pierogi Sale

                      Great News – our Lenten Pierogi Sale has been extended!!

Please spread the word with family and friends if they would like either potato and cheese pierogi or sauerkraut and onion pierogi.  Please text your order to Sheri at 315-730-4459 or reserve with bartender.  Orders need to be in by the 20th of March.  When texting orders, please provide what kind you’d like and how many dozen.  Prepaid price is $10.00 dozen.  If not prepaid, the price will be $15.00 per dozen (limited amounts will be available day of pick-up).  New Pick-Up Date with be Saturday, 23rd of March from 1:30-3:00pm.  (Form of Payment Cash, Check (pls make out to ALA Unit 239), or Venmo if using Venmo please mark as your description number ordered and pierogi sale!)

 

 

 

 

SAVE THE DATE

The Veterans are putting together a CornHole Tournament scheduled for the 4th of May with a Cinco de Mayo Theme.  They are working on the details so when the details are completed it will be shared with the Legion Family but doesn’t hurt to save the date for now. 

 

Syracuse VA Veteran Maternity Shower

I’m pleased to report that Veterans, Sons, and Operation Christmas Hope have all agreed to donate this year to the 7th Annual Women’s Veteran Baby Shower and Expo that will be held on the 17th of May 2024. 

There is a bin in between the Dart Machines if anyone is interested in making an individual donation.  Donations will be accepted until the last week of April.  Any questions, please call or text me at (315) 567-3143 or email me at keyerita@gmail.com.  Below are their needs and wish list items.

          Needs

   Diapers (Size Newborn, 1, and 2)

   Burp Cloths

   First Aid kits / nail kits

   Baby Wipes Sensitive

   Infant Wash Cloths and Towels

   Sensitive Skin Care Products (Baby Wash, Shampoo Lotion {brands Aveeno, Baby

   Dove, Aquaphor Baby)

   Clothing for newborn and 0-3 months (onesie’s both long sleeve and short sleeve,

   Leggings/pants, sleep gowns, side snap shirts, sleep and play footies, baby socks).

   Diaper Rash Creams (A&D, Desitin, Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, Aveeno, etc).

   Thermometers     

 Wishlist Items

   Pack ‘n Play (bassinet and/or play yard)

   Regular Strollers/Double Strollers/Umbrella Strollers

   Diaper Genies with extra inserts.

   Play gym / Play mats.

   Booster Seats

   Highchair / portable highchair

   Infant Car Seat

   Shopping Cart Cover

   Baby Swings / Baby Gliders

          Items Don’t Need

   Bottles / Bottle Brushes

   Sippy Cups

   Bibs

   Rattles

   Hairbrush/combs

   Diaper Bags (these are ordered with grant funding)

   Sleep Sacks are provided by the NY State Program

 

Onondaga County Auxiliary Meetings – Save the Dates

Our Auxiliary Unit 239 has four members that represent us at the Onondaga County Auxiliary Meetings.  They are Judy Bettis, Lynne Gregory, Rita Keyes, Cindy Meili, and Karen Walter.  However, these meetings are open for anyone to attend.  If you’d like to attend one of the meetings and see what they are all about, please let us know as we can always carpool and go together. 

County Meetings are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month and start promptly at 11:00am.  A light lunch is usually served after each meeting. You do need to wear your Auxiliary Pin or Auxiliary Logo shirt when attending these meetings.

 

Upcoming Events/Happenings at Post 239

Here are some of the upcoming events that will be held at the Post – complete details on some of the events are still being worked on once that information is available, I’ll be happy to pass along.

March

April

May

June

 

Around Our Community (Please support the business that support Post 239)

Sushi Tuesday!! - $3.00 off tempura rolls – All other rolls $6.00 (excludes Godzilla Roll).

Wing Wednesday!! – ½ Off all orders of wings.

Taco Thursday!! - $10 orders of tacos all day!!  “Dine in ONLY”

Tuesday – Burger and Beer $15.00 – Traditional Tavern Burger with your choice of cheese served with French Fries and a pint of beer.

Wednesday – Buy One, Get One – Buy One Entrée, get one fee, value up to $20.00.

Thursday – Three Course Dinner for Two $65.00 – Dinner for 2 with choice of soup or salad, one of our Sherwood Classic Entrees, and your choice of dessert.

 

 

 

WE MAKE A BETTER LEGION BY WORKING TOGETHER

“ONE TEAM ONE FIGHT”

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY AND IN THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE NOT SELF

 

Rita Keyes

ALA President Unit 239