Legion Beacon Members.  If you want the newsletter sent to you via email send an email to Post202Beacon@gmail.com.  Include your full name and the email address to which you prefer the newsletter be sent. Beginning January 1, 2012, the newsletter will no longer be posted here in its full format.  Instead just click on the newsletter for the month you want to view and you will be taken to it. Newsletters for: January 2012   There were no newsletters published for November and December   October 2011 Upcoming Events October 19 Auxiliary Executive Committee Meeting (6:00pm– Memorial Room) Auxiliary Meeting (7:00pm– Memorial Room) Quilts of Valor Program (7:30pm– Main Hall) October 24 2nd Annual Mizzou Student Veterans Association Golf Tournament Oct. 28-30 Fall Conference (Capitol Plaza Hotel, Jefferson City) Nov. 5 Entries due for the Big Buck Contest Nov. 10 Birthday Party for the Marine Corp. 2012 Auxiliary Officers We were honored to have Claudia Goodin, President of the Missouri Department, conduct the installation ceremony for our new officers at the annual Installation Dinner in August. Congratulations to these new officers: Cheryl Wolfe, President Pat Kirkpatrick, 1st Vice-President /Treasurer Thelma Koester, 2nd Vice-President Georgina Coder, Secretary Barbara Wyatt, Chaplain/Historian Lora Shay, Sergeant-at-Arms   Newsletter by Email We continue to encourage all members who have Internet access and an email address to receive the Legion Beacon via email. The advantages are: you will get it sooner, you get a color version, you will be able to get special announcements throughout the month, and it will save the Post money. If you previously requested the newsletter by email, but are no longer receiving it, please let us know. It seems we have some subscribers who have changed email addresses and we are getting messages bouncing back. To sign up for the email Legion Beacon or to update your email address, send your name and email address to Post202Beacon@gmail.com.   Commander's Column This month we kick off a very important membership recruitment drive. As an American Legion Post, one of our most important missions is the care and wellbeing of our fellow veterans. As individual veterans and members of an American Legion Post, we have an obligation to fulfill a mission of service to our fellow veterans and to our Post. When veterans join an American Legion Post, they agree to support this very important mission. In support of our Mission to veterans, Post 202 has adopted a membership slogan- "Be a Vet, Get a Vet"! And in the fun nature of any membership campaign, we want new members to not just join Post 202, but enjoy their membership. Each month, we are going to host a Membership Orientation Evening for new members and prospective members. I hope you take part in our "Be a Vet, Get a Vet" membership campaign. Post 202 will be sponsoring the Mizzou Student Veterans Association 2nd Annual Golf Tournament Oct. 24 at the beautiful Columbia Country Club. Either as golfers or volunteers, I would like to invite all Post 202 members to participate. I am putting up a case of beer to the team from Post 202 who puts up the lowest score! I would really like to see every member support our two fund raising programs. If you have not joined in with the Fazoli Dinner and Car Raffle programs, this would be a great time to show your support for Post 202. Each Car Raffle ticket has a 1:200 chance of winning and we all win each time you visit Fazoli's for an all you can eat spaghetti dinner! And, let's not forget those pledge cards, we really need then returned, and we need every members support. As you can see by the newsletter, we have many things going on at the Post, but let's not forget that we all have more fun when we join the fun! Post 202 is helping organize the 2011 MSVA Golf Tournament. Commander Kitchen has his team ready to go, and challenges other members to join in. Commander Kitchen has put up a case of beer to the Post 202 team turning in the lowest score. The tournament will be held at the Country Club of Missouri on October 24. Lunch & registration starts at 11:00 am with a noon shotgun start! Members are encouraged to help support this tournament by playing, volunteering, soliciting donations or helping to sell sponsorships. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Mizzou Student Veterans Association! For more information, contact Commander @americanlegionpost202.org, or drop by the Post to pick up a registration form! Click here for the registration form. Rick Kitchen, Post 202 Commander Upcoming Activities and Events Mid-Missouri Quilts of Valor Coming to October 19 Auxiliary Meeting Come see the beautiful quilts they have made and learn more about how this organization is serving our wartime service men and women. The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national service whose mission is ―to cover all those service members and veterans touched by war with Wartime Quilts called Quilts of Valor.‖ They have made more than 40,000 quilts since it started in 2003. The Mid-Missouri Quilts of Valor plans to present quilts for nominees on Veterans Day. If you would like to nominate a special veteran or service member, nomination forms will be available at the program. Invite your friends and family members to join us on Wednesday, October 19 at 7:30 pm and meet the ladies who are "Quilting to Honor & Comfort Our Wounded." (Regular Auxiliary meeting will be at 7:00 pm). Marine Corp. Birthday Celebration On Thursday, Nov 10, Columbia Ameri-can Legion Post 202 will host all veterans, veterans organizations and veterans services in the most honorable tradition of the US Armed Forces with a birthday celebration for the US Marine Corp. We want to include the MSVA, Marine Parents, the Marine Mothers who lit luminaries last weekend, the Marine Corp League all veteran organizations and services, all veterans whether members of Post 202 or not, MU ROTC, local Guard & Reserve and recruiters, families and friends. Post 202 is honored to welcome veterans from all organizations. In the future, we will host and recognize each branch of our military with a birthday party. What better way to kick off this tradition than with the a birthday party for the Marine Corp! Commander Kitchen will provide a keg (or two) for all Marines, MSVA Members, and ROTC Cadets! Dinner and events: Pot Luck Dinner, Post 202 will provide meat. Pool Tournament, ping pong, foosball, X-Box, etc., possibly include poker! RSVP to the Social & Recreation Officer at (573) 442-2950. DEER HUNTERS!!! Do you think you may have a chance at "Da Turdy Point Buck"? As part of the American Legion Post 202 Outdoor Recreation Program, Post 202 will be having a BIG BUCK CONTEST this year. The contest will be open to all Post 202 members with a $10 entry fee. The BIG BUCK CONTEST will be open to firearms, archery and muzzleloaders for the 2011 Missouri season. In January we will have a dinner and announce the winner of the BIG BUCK CONTEST and award prizes for different categories. All entries must be paid by November 5th, 2011. You can mail entries fees to the Legion, drop off with one of the Board members or at Club Williams in the evenings when it is open. Good luck this year and we hope your get a chance to shoot "Da Turdy Point Buck"! Garage Sale Outcome Garage Sale Raises $1650 For Remodeling Project Thank you for your generous donations of items for the sale. The Post also extends a very special thank you to the following members and their families who graciously volunteered their time and hard work in preparation for the sale and working at the sale: Rick Kitchen, Rich Grant, Thelma Koester and daughter Karen, Cheryl and Alan Wolfe, Bryan Wolfe, Keri Luckritz, Chris and Christye Owens, Sandy Coldewe, Paul Hobbs, Dick and Georgina Coder, Liz Picray, Tommy Highbarger, Sue Griffin, Dora May, John Sneed, Carol Thompson, John Jones, Barbara Hastings, Lora and Pat Shay, Barbara Wyatt, Jessica Orsini, and Clay Pickens. Our apologies to any volunteers we have failed to mention. The countless hours the volunteers spent picking up donations, sorting, pricing, setting up, working the sale, and then cleaning up afterwards was sincerely appreciated. We couldn’t have done it without them! More News Wounded Warrior Project At the June meeting of Auxiliary Unit 202, members unanimously voted to donate $100 to the Wounded Warrior Project. Thelma Koester presented information about the project. As stated on their website, it is ―an organization whose broad appeal reaches across demographic, geographic, and political boundaries. We’re an apolitical organization by design. For us, it’s not about the war; it’s about the warrior.‖ The organization "exists to honor and empower wounded warriors who incur service-connected wounds, injuries, and illnesses on or after September 11, 2001." To find out more about this worthy cause, go to http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respi-ratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu. 1. Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your dis-tance from others to protect them from get-ting sick too. 2. Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your ill-ness. 3. Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. 4. Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. 5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. 6. Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Source- http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm Girls and Boys State Delegates Girls State/Boys State Delegates Share Experiences At September’s joint meeting, students from three Columbia high schools presented an excellent slide show and narration of their amazing week of learning responsible citizenship at Boys State and Girls State. The students were excited about the new friends they made and the knowledge they gained about leadership while participating in the fast-paced, interactive program of campaigning, debating, voting, and electing mock local and state leaders. As a result of their experiences, the delegates were eager to encourage fellow students to participate in the program for next year. Following the presentations, refreshments were served and members were able to visit further with the delegates and learn even more about their participation in this unique educational opportunity. The Legion and Auxiliary would like to thank the following sponsors whose generous donations made it possible to send 28 delegates to the Girls State and Boys State events held in June. Girls State Delegates: Hickman High School Lee Acton –Sponsor –Columbia Pachyderms Lauren Sicht – Sponsor – Landmark Bank Delaine Hart- Sponsor – Elks Club Lauren Guillary – Sponsor- Boone County National Bank Rock Bridge High School Caraline Trecha – Sponsor- Dr. Trecha Julia Matera – Sponsor- ALA Unit 202 Whitney Wipfler – Sponsor- ALA Unit 202 Emily Smith – Sponsor- Business & Professional Women’s Club History of Veterans Day To read this go to our home page .     Car Raffle POST 202 Annual Car Raffle As the major fund raiser for the Post 202 Building Fund, Post 202 will be selling raffle tickets on a 2012 Kia Sorento, provided by Head Motor Company. Only 1000 tickets will be sold for $100 each (or 5 tickets for $450). The car will be given away at the Post 202 Memorial Day BBQ, following the 2012 Salute to Veterans Memorial Day Parade. We have 10 months to sell our tickets, so let's get started! For anyone who selling 3 or more tickets, the Post will pay their next annual mem-bership fee. Second prize is a motorcycle provided by Mid America Harley-Davidson or Jones Power Sports, 3rd prize is a Polaris Ranger or John Deere Gator, 4th prize is a John Deere zero turn or riding mower provided by Farm Power Lawn & Leisure, and 5th prize will be a golf cart from Central Missouri Golf Cars! Cash is offered in lieu of vehicles. If each Post 202 member sells 3 raffle tickets, we'll have our quota sold by end of the summer! Tickets are available at Post 202, any Post 202 member, Head Motor Company, Mid Missouri Harley-Davidson, Jones Power Sports, Farm Power Lawn & Leisure, Central MO Golf Cars, T's ETC Printing Embroidery & Engraving, ArmyGear.net Military Surplus Store, Lindsey Rental, Carpet America, Grandpa's Guns, and Target Masters. More information is available on the web site http://americanlegionpost202.org, by contacting Commander Kitchen at Commander@americanlegionpost202.org., or contacting our sponsors Truman's Bar & Grill and McGinty's Pub. August 2011   Upcoming Events August 17 Membership Dinner Meeting August 21 BBQ & Shooting Match Sept. 9 Central MO Honor Flight #16 October 24 2nd Annual Mizzou Student Veterans Association Golf Tournament Newsletter by Email We continue to encourage all members who have Internet access and an email address to receive the Legion Beacon via email. The advantages are: you will get it sooner, you get a color version, you will be able to get special announcements throughout the month, and it will save the Post money. If you previously requested the newsletter by email, but are no longer receiving it, please let us know. It seems we have some subscribers who have changed email addresses and we are getting messages bouncing back. To sign up for the email Legion Beacon or to update your email address, send your name and email address to Post202Beacon@gmail.com.   Commander's Column As hot as it has been outside this summer, things have really been heating up at Post 202. Many members joined me at the 2011 Boone County Fair last week to "meet & greet" fair goers. It was a hot week, but we were able to sell many Car Raffle tickets and recruited several new members to Post 202. We were joined by Charlotte McKenney and Stella, from the "Veterans and Sheltered Dogs" program. Stella is a boxer/shepard mix who is being trained to work with veterans suffering with PTSD. Anytime we get an opportunity to interact with the public, we create good will and have an opportunity to fulfill our Americanism mission. A big "Thank You" from the Boone County Fair director goes out to Liz Picray, Post Flag Keeper. Liz repaired the Fair's Missouri Flag and replaced their badly worn US flag with one from our Post supply. As we kick off our 2012 Car Raffle, it has become even more important to interact with our community. Working last weekend at the Boone County Fair and at the Legion Field concession stand the past two weekends for the Show Me State Games, several members and me were able to promote veterans, the American Legion and Post 202. Next weekend we will be at the Boone County 4-H Shooting Sports Competition being held at Prairie Grove Gun Club. The following weekend, Post 202 is co-sponsoring the "Discover Archery Day" at American Legion Park. On October 24, we will be at the 2nd annual Mizzou Student Veterans Association Golf Tournament, and will also be at most MU home football and basketball games promoting Post 202 and advertising our Car Raffle. Please share any community events happening in Boone County with us so we can put those events on our schedule. The month of August at Post 202 denotes a changing of the guard. At our August 17 membership dinner meeting, we once again install a new caste of officers and board members. I hope everyone can come join us. I think we have an awesome officer corps for next year, but I think it is vitally important to fill our committee chair positions for the coming year. I am currently working on our Organizational Chart. I am looking for members who would be willing to fill two very important committees: Fund Raising Committee & Social and Recreation Committee. Membership numbers at Post 202 has been enlarging at an amazing pace over the past six months. We have become a fun, energetic, vibrant, relevant American Legion Post. As I've watched the development over the past few months, one word comes to mind: entertaining! I can't remember having so much fun or laughing so much at the Post. Continued growth will depend on our strength of service to our Post. Unless you join in, you will not experience the full benefit of your membership in Post 202. Come have fun with us! September 9th there will be a Central Missouri Honor Flight . Flight #16 is scheduled to arrive in St. Louis at 9:35p.m. Up to date we have flown over 850 WWII vets to DC to see their Memorial. Rick Kitchen, Post 202 Commander MEMBER OF THE YEAR It is a pleasure honoring members of Post 202 for contributions above and beyond the call of duty with the "Commanders Member of the Month Award". Last month, I honored Cheryl Wolfe for the incredible job she and her family performed for Post 202 by organizing, setting up and running our 1st Annual Post 202 Garage Sale. Her managerial efforts netted Post 202 more than $1500 for our Building Fund. Now, as we install a new officer corp and board at Post 202, it is my honor to present the "Commanders Member of the Year Award". There have been so many individuals who have done amazing things to improve and honor Post 202 this past year. The person I have chosen to receive recognition as Member of the Year has only been a member a few months. However, since he joined the American Legion and became a member of Post 202, amazing things have happened. I can say without doubt, none of our growth and exciting energy would have been possible without this outstanding member's very hard work and the generous gift of his time. It is my esteemed honor to recognize Chris Owens as the very deserving recipi-ent of the "2010-2011 Commanders Member of the Year Award". Shooting Team BBQ Information  Join us on August 21st for the Legion Shooting Team BBQ and Shooting Match. We will meet at the range at 5:00 pm for some friendly competition between Legion Post 202 members and fire up the grill. You don’t have to be a shooting team member, just interested in supporting the Legion activities. We will target shooting .22’s that evening against each other but feel free to bring other smallbore rifles and pistols for fun. For those of you who don’t own a firearm, come on out anyway and maybe we can have you shooting by the end of the day. Fell free to bring a covered dish if you can. We will try to eat about 7:00 pm. If you would like more information, contact Joe Pendergrass @ 573-368-1402 or Tim Patrick @ 777-2714. Don’t forget your hearing and eye protection. Directions to range: Northeast Columbia - Mexico Gravel Rd. to N. Wyatt Lane. Go North on N. Wyatt Lane 1.2 miles, turn right and continue on Wyatt Lane .4 miles. Turn right into range driveway and go through gate. POST 202 Annual Car Raffle As the major fund raiser for the Post 202 Building Fund, Post 202 will be selling raffle tickets on a 2012 Kia Sorento, provided by Head Motor Company. Only 1000 tickets will be sold for $100 each (or 5 tickets for $450). The car will be given away at the Post 202 Memorial Day BBQ, following the 2012 Salute to Veterans Memorial Day Parade. We have 10 months to sell our tickets, so let's get started! For anyone who selling 3 or more tickets, the Post will pay their next annual mem-bership fee. Second prize is a motorcycle provided by Mid America Harley-Davidson or Jones Power Sports, 3rd prize is a Polaris Ranger or John Deere Gator, 4th prize is a John Deere zero turn or riding mower provided by Farm Power Lawn & Leisure, and 5th prize will be a golf cart from Central Missouri Golf Cars! Cash is offered in lieu of vehicles. If each Post 202 member sells 3 raffle tickets, we'll have our quota sold by end of the summer! Tickets are available at Post 202, any Post 202 member, Head Motor Company, Mid Missouri Harley-Davidson, Jones Power Sports, Farm Power Lawn & Leisure, Central MO Golf Cars, T's ETC Printing Embroidery & Engraving, ArmyGear.net Military Surplus Store, Lindsey Rental, Carpet America, Grandpa's Guns, and Target Masters. More information is available on the web site http://americanlegionpost202.org, by contacting Commander Kitchen at Commander@americanlegionpost202.org., or contacting our sponsors Truman's Bar & Grill and McGinty's Pub. Post 202 Pledge Card I, ________________________, membership number_____________, agree to support the Herbert Williams American Legion Post 202 Building Fund in the following ways: Please circle & initial. Pledge to donate $__________ to the Building Fund for current remodeling project cost. And/or pledge $__________ per ________ (month/quarter/semi-annual/annual). Pledge to donate goods, services and/or material to the remodel project. Please list your intentions: Pledge to support Fund Raising Events to benefit the Post and Building Fund. Pledge to provide for the Post and Building Fund through gifting or donations of personal and/or real property. Pledge to provide for the Post through a benevolent or memorial gift at the time of my death. I do not wish to participate in the remodel project for Post 202. Member Signture____________________________Date__________________