THE 68

Several of our members were honored at the last Post meeting, and I want to give my congratulations to some of them. We awarded three Sonny Ross Memorial Scholarships this year. Our recipients were Selena Green, Brittany Fuchs and Mychell Miller. All will be attending college this fall with a little help from us. The funds for the scholarships all come from the Sonny Ross Spaghetti feed that we hold every year. You, the members are to be congratulated for you support of this event. Keep watching your newsletter for the next event so we can continue helping our youth go to college.

Our Legionnaire of the Year is a man who did a tremendous job for the Post last year. Whenever I needed the Post opened to let contractors in, or I had a job I needed oversight on, or I needed a little kick in the pants now and then, this guy did it. He was always willing and ready to do what was necessary. My sincere congratulations go to Bill "Butch" McCauley. Thanks a lot Butch.

There were many others who helped accomplish many things around the Post home, and with our Children and Youth programs. My thanks to each and every one of you in helping make this a very successful year. And to top it off the Post, Auxiliary, and SAL all made their membership goals. Another clean sweep for Post 68. What a tremendous year!

As you probably know, my term as your Commander is about to come to an end. The last two years have been very rewarding for both me and the Post. It was a rough start between the construction of Albertsons going on and the IRS breathing down our neck. We weren't sure how we were going to do. But with a lot of diligence by all the Post Officers, and our managers, we were able to overcome there obstacles. We settled with the IRS, and were able to find a local bank that was willing to refinance us and get us our of our high interest mortgage. We were able to cut our income to debt ration and have been able to put money in the bank. It gave us the opportunity to re-roof 2/3 of the building paint the inside and of the Post and install new carpeting and tile, all within our operating funds. One of the biggest things that have come out of all of this is our support of our Veterans and Children and Youth. We dedicated more assistance to Veterans programs than I can remember during my time as a member here. We sponsored two Legion Baseball Teams, supported school programs at Bremerton High and gave out awards and scholarships to students from the Bremerton High JROTC program. All this happened because of your support of the Post.

Volunteers are extremely important to the Post. They are the backbone that keeps us able to maintain the Post home and allows us to continue to support our programs for our Veterans and Children and Youth. Volunteers were the ones who kept the Post alive when we were very close to loosing the entire Post home. You are very important! We need your help!

On July 17^th at approximately 4 PM when the gavel falls at the close of Department Convention, I will be relieved as your Post Commander. Pete Almond will then assume the duties as your leader. Pete has been an officer of this Post for twenty years. He has the knowledge and skills to lead the Post through the next year and beyond. I encourage you all to give him and his officers all the support you have given me. I wish him all the success in the world. I will assume my duties as an advisor to Pete and the Post. I also have a large honey-do list that I need to start working on and the list grows longer every day. I will still be around to help out whenever I can.

I told you last month that there is a special event scheduled. On July 17^th at 6 PM, I am hosting a Change of Command party in the lounge. There will be free food and there is going to Karaoke for all. It is my chance to say good-bye as your Commander and give you a chance to officially great your new Commander. It is also just a couple of days after my birthday, so let's have a party. I hope to you all there.

I am very proud to have been your Commander during four of the last five years. It has been at times a very frustrating and demanding job. But the rewards successes have been worth it. Through it all, I thank each and every one of you who gave me your support and confidence to get the Post to where it is today. Without your support, I don't know if the Post would still be here. I can leave now knowing that Post 68 will be here serving Veterans and our community for a long time to come. I ask you all to stay active and be supportive. God Bless each and every one of you!

FROM THE JUNIOR VICE ELECT:

I would like to introduce myself to those of you who don't know me. I'm Ed Simms, the incoming Junior Vice Commander. My intentions as Jr. Vice Commander are to give the Post members what they want. When people think of Post 68, they think of "Bingo" and the "Lounge". Want the members to think of Post 68 as a second home, a place where they can bring their children, grandchildren, visiting relatives and friends. We all have earned the right to do that. I would like to thank the Post Officers for all their hard work and effort to make some of the things we have done possible for the community and most importantly for our second home, Post 68.

Following is a list of ideas that I think will make Post 68 more enjoyable for everyone. If you have any other suggestions or ideas, let me know. I need input form as many members as possible - it's our Post!

Please check boxes of events you would like to see at Post 68, and return the sheet to the bar or give it to me when you see me.

Thank you,

Ed Simms

_____ Chili Cook Off _____ In House Dart Shoot

_____ Bake Sale _____ In House Pinball Tournament

_____ Cake Walk _____ Bar Room Jeopardy

_____ Day Trip to Emerald Downs _____ Softball Game Against Post 149

_____ Day Trip To Mariner's Game _____ Pool Shoot Out Against Post 149

Other suggestions welcome. We already have a Children's day planned we just need to work out scheduling. When that is done we will notify the members.

FROM THE COMMANDER ELECT:

First, I want to thank the Post for giving me this opportunity to serve as Post Commander. After a number of years in different officer positions, I felt the time was right for me to take this job.

I wish to thank Joe Opolka for the fine work and dedication that was the hallmark of his administration and I know he is looking forward to some well deserved time off.

Also, I would like to thank those officers who have meant so much to this Post over the past year for their consummate work.

As this year begins, I congratulate all of the incoming officers and I ask each and every member of the Post to support them as they begin their work to Post 68 as strong and vibrant as we have become.

Over the past several years, we have worked hard to make Post 68 the best Post we can and during the next year I look forward to strengthening our position as a Post dedicated to the Community, State and Nation.

For the first time in many years, we are financially sound and because of that, we have an opportunity to provide the service to both veterans and active duty and to our community in general. I look forward to receiving input, not only form the officers, but also from the Post and Auxiliary members as to where we can best serve. In addition, I have appointed Colin Maloney to serve as Post Service Officer and we are in the process of setting up a comprehensive program designed to assist both our members and veterans in general.

I have also appointed Bill McCauley and David Ainge to serve as Trustees along with our elected Trustees. This committee will have their hands full through the coming year.

I know that this incoming team of officers is dedicated to values of this Post but their work cannot be accomplished without the input from membership. Each of you, as a Post member, has a responsibility and together we can achieve many things. I look forward to the challenge. Again, thank you for this opportunity and God Bless America.

Pete Almond

Please call me at one of the following number if you need assistance, to report someone who is sick or in the hospital or passed on.

Home 360-698-7896

Office 360-871-2332 x-240

Pager 360-792-4231

If I am not available, please leave a message and I will return your call as I can.

GET WELL Wishes:

To all of our members and other Veterans who are suffering from sickness and other conditions, our prayers and thoughts are with you during your time of need.

POST EVERLASTING:

The following Legionnaires have passed on to the Post Everlasting. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families.

Colin Kennedy - Past District Commander

John Bollinger - Past Post 68 Commander

Frank Arceo - Former Post 68 Member

MEMORIAL SERVICE:

If you would like the Post to have a Memorial Service for our departed comrades, please contact me as soon as you can after the person has passed. We can hold services in the hall if it is available. The hall is not available on Friday, Sunday or Tuesday. We can also participate in Funeral services at a chapel, church, home or graveside. We do NOT have a firing squad available. Services may also be held in the Post Lounge any day if desired.

Paul Young

Post 68 Chaplain

FROM THE PRESIDENT:

The 2003-2004 year is now "GOOD BYE"

Thanks for the memories! It was a great year because of all of you officers, committees and members.

Don't know yet if it's you or me that's crazy but thank you for your vote of confidence for electing me President for 2004-2005 year.

The Auxiliary does not have a regular meeting in July.

I have asked the incoming and outgoing officers and committee chairmen to a "turn over" round table meeting on July 29 at 7:00 PM at the Post. The will pass on information and we'll discuss some plans for the next year. Nothing will be decided or done until the membership decides!! Any member is welcome to join us.

Thanks!

Pat McCauley

Unit 68 President

This fall I will be starting an adventure! I am finally going to the college of my dreams, and I wanted to thank each and every one of you for being a part of my life and helping to make a lifelong dream come true.

I am tickled to be one of the recipients of the Sonny Ross Memorial Scholarship. Ramona Ross (Sonny's sister in law and fellow bartender) has told me a couple of things about Sonny. I gather from her stories that he was a very generous man and he believed in people being able to follow their educational dreams despite financial hardships. Sonny had a vision and thank you all for realizing his vision. I will be forever thankful.

We truly appreciate each volunteer's efforts and assistance in making this year's Poppy distribution our most successful year to date!

Also, we extended equal gratitude to each person who participated in our Poppy program by procuring and wearing a Poppy which shows respect to and for our active and retired Veterans. We couldn't have done it without you!

Remember - all proceeds remain locally to assist in the needs of Veterans and their families in our area.

It's hard to believe another year has gone by! Seems like only a century ago I this project! Times flies doesn't it.

I would like to thank all the Post Officers and Auxiliary Officers for their input and timely articles for the 68'er! Some were challenges and some were pure joy to write. Thanks to the 68'er gals for all their help - YOU ROCK!

A reminder to all incoming officers of Post and Auxiliary that all articles for the 68'er can be dropped in the 68'er the conference room.

THE 68'ER

http://www.post68.heatons.com

FROM THE COMMANDER: